Christmas Day is almost a relief when it arrives, isn’t it? The season of consumption – from overindulging to buying far too many presents – can leave you, your wallet and your conscience feeling rather bloated. Most of us accept that the run-up to Christmas is what it is – a joyful time of excess – and atone for our extravagance by reining in our spending and eating from Boxing Day onwards.
But what if there was another way? A way to consume more consciously, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year?
Well, we just might have the answer – after this week’s climate headlines.
Essential reads
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In focus
Here on the Filter, the Guardian’s product reviews and consumer journalism section, we are tackling that very conundrum: how to consume more mindfully. What does this apparent contradiction – sustainable consumerism – actually look like to us?
Take Christmas: we’ve published a lot of gift guides, from gifts for mums, cyclists and teenagers to analogue presents that get scrolling loved ones off their screens, and gifts from ethical brands and retailers that support charities and communities. All feature products that have been tried and tested, sniffed, sampled, played with or worn by our writers.
In the case of our many kids’ gift guides, the children themselves told us what they wanted for Christmas; elsewhere, our readers told us about the gifts they’ve given or received that have lasted decades. Less like shopping inspo and more like personal recommendations from a friend, these gifts are far less likely to be snubbed, break by New Year’s Eve, or end up in the re-gifting drawer.
And it’s not just gifts. We’ve tested and rated often overpriced and overpackaged Advent calendars to see if they’re worth the money, and how wasteful they are; and we’ve unboxed and erected artificial Christmas trees to test their quality. The Carbon Trust says using a fake tree over seven to 20 years (depending on its weight and materials) can create fewer emissions than buying a new, commercially grown tree every year. The key is to buy an artificial tree you’ll love enough to roll out for decades – which is where our test comes in.
We’ve also eaten and drunk our way through mince pies, cheeseboard chutneys, festive drinks, Christmas crisps, sandwiches and much more, so you don’t waste money on food that might otherwise end up in the food waste bin. And we’ve offered ideas on how to reduce waste this Christmas, from investing in reusable crackers to making the most of your leftovers.
From rigorous tests on products such as mattresses, coffee machines, tents, kettles and reusable coffee cups, to advice on how to make things last longer – from leather to kitchen knives – we aim to help readers make better, more informed decisions. And to encourage more thoughtful purchases so that our readers will, ultimately, consume less.
Now Christmas is nearly over, we’re looking ahead to 2026, a year which will probably bring yet more extreme weather, alarming climate disasters and record heat. We’ll put more products through their paces and help you find the most sustainable, repairable and even refurbished choices. We’ll dig deep into secondhand shopping, help you make more of your things last longer, and advise you on what you shouldn’t buy.
See you next year.
Read more:
‘I’ve used it every day for 48 years’: 42 forever gifts that last – and won’t end up in landfill
305 best Christmas gifts for 2025: truly brilliant presents tried, tested and handpicked by us
The Christmas gifts you love the most, from cosy hand warmers to personalised chocolate
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