With the countdown to Christmas on, let’s celebrate and enjoy the festive season whilst being mindful of the amount of food waste we leave behind.  

Thoughtful menu planning at this time of year can save you money and avoid excess food going to landfill.

Use these festive food waste tips from Love Food Hate Waste to make your celebrations more sustainable.

1. Look through your pantry and fridge before Christmas and use up existing ingredients to make space for Christmas cooking.
    
2. Create a shopping list and buy only what you need for your event. The shops are shut for only one day, so you can visit your favourite grocery stores again closer to your next party, serving your guests the freshest produce.
   
   
3. Before picking up a sale, consider if you will use up all of the food or if you have enough space to store it. A tray of mangoes may sound delicious, but not if you throw half of them in the bin.
   
   
4. Picking imperfect produce is great for your wallet and the environment. Plus, your guests will never know.
   
   
5. Portion leftover ham and store in your fridge or freezer wrapped in plastic and then foil. 
   Leave about 4-6 hours to thaw a frozen 500-gram cooked ham in the fridge.
   
   
6. Turn your fridge 1-2 degrees lower when it's full to keep seafood fresher for longer.
   
   
7. Encourage your guests to bring reusable containers with them or have spare containers on hand to fill any leftovers for people to take home.
    
8. Transform your leftover meat and veggies into curry or pie fillers for your next meal. Take a look at these great leftover recipe ideas. 

Some food waste may be difficult to avoid – so consider composting or a worm farm to keep your food waste to a minimum. 

For further ideas visit Love Food Hate Waste for inspiring tips on how to reduce your food waste including free video tutorials and food storage ideas.