New Years has past so the catalogues of late are flooded with Australia Day paraphernalia.
Whilst Australia Day has been surrounded by controversy in particular the last couple of years (being referred to as Invasion Day by many), it still hasn’t stopped manufacturers from producing an enormous amount of Australia Day specific merchandise.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the power of demand, obviously manufacturers are producing such products because consumers are buying it.
Unfortunately, in terms of Australia Day merchandise, a lot is cheaply made, designed to be single use or not built to last, and ends up in landfill by the end of the month.
So, if you celebrate Australia Day and love all things themed ‘Aussie’, this post will give you some quintessential Aussie ways of embracing the day without the detriment to our vulnerable environment.
The Aussie Flag and Aussie Themed Attire- An Eco Friendly Alternative Idea
The Aussie flag is a typical icon at many Australia Day celebrations. However, if you don’t already own a flag that you fly when you go to a test match or the like then I politely ask, “is it really necessary to get one now?” If yes, consider a quality fabric one that you will reuse rather than a plastic single use one that will barely see out the day.
Alternatively, why not get into the spirit of Australia Day by picking a sporting theme and dressing up accordingly with your mates or simply wear your favourite Aussie teams guernsey in some way.
Aussie Activity Ideas for a Fun Filled & Eco Friendly Australia Day
It is a common favourite to head down to the local beach or park and enjoy some Aussie cricket, kick of a footy/ball or throw of a frisbee amongst mates.
I find it disappointing that big box supermarkets and stores sell cheaply made plastic “Australia Day themed” cricket sets and beach balls.
Using your quality wooden cricket set or your mate’s already owned beach ball or footy that isn’t necessarily in the Aussie colours is not going to make the day less enjoyable.
(Ironically, the same big boxed stores that in the same breath say how they are environmentally focused and committed to decreasing the burden of landfill waste by removing single use plastic shopping bags, making and distributing pointless ‘recyclable’ token toys when you spend over a certain amount… urgh ‘eye roll’. I know where I would rather spend my dollars.)
Decoration Ideas for an Eco Friendly Australia Day
Decorations can be one of the worst single use items going. Yes, it’s aesthetically pleasing when everything is matchy matchy but if they don the Aussie flag the likelihood of them being reused for anything other than the following years Australia Day celebrations is next to none.
If you are in need of a new beach towel, beach chairs, picnic blanket and are tempted to buy an Aussie themed one, make the deliberate choice to buy one because you need it and reuse it beyond the Aussie public holiday. And buy quality.
But here comes my brilliant solution- Edible Decorations.
Organise a cake, cupcakes and/or biscuits with the frosting or icing designed as the Australian flag or some other iconic Aussie symbol like flip flops or the trusty kangaroo. (Michelle at the Cookie Cutter Shop sells all things cookie and that includes these super cute cookie cutters in the spirit of Australia Day.)
Aussie Banquet Ideas for an Eco Friendly Australia Day
No celebration is complete without food.
Plastic plates (and even paper plates) generally end up in landfill which most of us end up justifying because we don’t use them all the time. However, all these ‘odd’ occasions add up. So why not challenge yourself (and your guests) to minimise the need for single use items on the day.
I know, short of taking your own ceramic crockery or celebrating the event at someone’s home, single use crockery is a difficult one to overcome.
However, if you want to minimise the washing up and not cart home plates to be cleaned then think of foods that require less work to serve and eat them.
Think about what foods don’t require extra bowls or cutlery like finger food.
Corn chips and potato chips can be bought in bulk sized bags that won’t require a bowl for serving.
Progressive brands such as The Whole Food Kitchen make some of their dips in glass jars.
Someone can pre-cut vegetable sticks, such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, capsicum. Summer fruits such as slices of watermelon and cantaloupe can be served as is on their rind or stone fruit, strawberries and grapes can be served as is or on skewered kebabs.
Finger food such as premade slices like zucchini slice, already cut up into bite sized squares, are not messy and will minimise the need for extra serving utensils.
Firing up the BBQ with snags, chicken skewers, kebabs and burgers is not only a typical Aussie feast, but they also don’t require as much crockery, plates etc.
A snag in some bread topped with onions and condiments doesn’t require a plate or build your own burger station with some premade salad are both quintessential Aussie meals.
If you don’t classify Australia Day complete without enjoying some Aussie pav, why not serve individual mini pavs topped with cream and a strawberry or passion fruit to avoid the extra mess.
Steer away from liquid food that will require extra bowls and spoons.
Still want to enjoy a main course that requires a plate, and the venue is at your favourite park or beach, then why not ask everyone to bring their own picnic basket.
At the end of the day, to be Australian is to have a ‘no worries fun day’ with ones mates. So rather than buy into gimmicks and get carried away with the unnecessary hoopla and excess of just because, why not focus on enjoying the company of the day with a few choice games and some simple but mouth-watering tucker.
After all to be Australian isn’t about the controversial Aussie flag, it is about mates and community, a simple Aussie BBQ and knowing we are lucky to be free.
XxTammy
