How to plan for a Christmas without food waste

Christmas table, glasses of drink, Christmas cracker and lots of Christmas lights

Wednesday 7 December 2022

Planning ahead is the key to avoiding food waste over the Christmas period. Don't just buy your presents early, start thinking about how much food you'll be eating!

Family and friends

Find out how many people you may be cooking for over Christmas well ahead of time. That way, you can use this Christmas portion planner to prepare just the right amount on the day.

Shopping list

Once you know how many people are coming for Christmas, start on your shopping list. This is a great way to keep costs down. With a list, you'll only buy you need. Don't be tempted by special offers, and try to never shop hungry! 

Leftovers

One of the most special parts of the season is sharing a traditional Christmas dinner with family and friends. Celebrations don't have to end on 25 December! Boxing Day is the perfect time to serve up any leftovers from the day before.

It is estimated that 263,000 turkeys, 7 million mince pies and 170 tonnes of sprouts are thrown away in the UK each year at Christmas. Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Check out recipe ideas from Love Food Hate Waste for more inspiration, or these suggestions from BBC Good Food.

You can also read this guide for Christmas food planning from Love Food Hate Waste.

Find out more about having a sustainable Christmas:

Find everything you need to know this Christmas.