Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
When I was growing up, one of my most beloved holiday traditions was a re-read of the holiday classic [How the Grinch Stole Christmas](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=114047X1771840&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dthe%2Bgrinch%2Bstole%2Bchristmas%2Bbook%26adgrpid%3D189432093587%26hvadid%3D779502403644%26hvdev%3Dc%26hvexpln%3D0%26hvlocphy%3D9198132%26hvnetw%3Dg%26hvocijid%3D13804131165613807425–%26hvqmt%3Db%26hvrand%3D13804131165613807425%26hvtargid%3Dkwd-302878063158%26hydadcr%3D16872_13419471_10478%26mcid%3D41f28ff21bdb34dfbf7ebbe99a8988e3%26tag%3Dgooghydr-20%26ref%3Dpd_sl_180152yxr6_b&sref=http…
Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
When I was growing up, one of my most beloved holiday traditions was a re-read of the holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. My innocent heart warmed as I read about the Whos in Whoville who enjoyed the holidays without “packages, boxes, or bags”.
But for many of us, the holidays can be the time of year when we find ourselves stuck with more plastic, wrapping paper and gift bags than we know what to do with.
The good news is, all of your post-holiday waste doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. Below, we’ve outlined some Earth-friendly alternatives, including creative ways to reuse your holiday cards and a shocking way you can give your Christmas tree a second life.
*** Save it
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi
Instead of pitching your wrapping-paper scraps or holiday cards from well-meaning relatives, consider repurposing them for future birthdays or next year’s holidays.
Looking for inspiration? Our colleagues in the UK have a few tips, including transforming cards into gift tags.
And if you’re feeling especially crafty, tutorials on Instagram and TikTok include even more ideas, such as repurposing holiday wrapping paper scraps into custom gift wrap for future gifts.
*** **Jump-start your **new year organization
After the holidays, I find myself going into full-on Marie Kondo mode, ready to declutter and reorganize my entire space. Leftover boxes from holiday gifts don’t have to get in the way of that goal; they can help you get organized.
For example, you can transform an iPhone box into a drawer organizer. Or if you’ve found yourself staring down a mountain of cardboard boxes, you can transform larger ones into seasonal clothing storage.
*** Drop it off
Whether you played host or visitor, odds are you have leftover plastic film or bubble wrap.
Usually, you can’t toss either into your recycling bin, but that doesn’t mean you should throw them straight in the garbage. First, check to see whether a nearby grocery or big-box store will recycle it for you. Consult online resources, such as plasticfilmrecycling.org, and look on the packaging itself, which will sometimes include websites with recycling instructions.
*** Be realistic
Here at the Filter, our job is to help you buy fewer, better things, so we identify with your desire to keep items out of the landfill. But some things – think glitter wrapping paper or packing peanuts – can’t be recycled.
“Wishcycling” items you feel guilty about throwing away can “cause more problems than if you chucked it in the bin”, according to the Guardian’s previous reporting.
If you’re not positive something can be recycled, don’t simply guess. Online resources like Earth911 will tell you whether an item is recyclable in your community or it’s simply wishful thinking.
*** Bonus: Treecycling 101
For those of you who celebrate Christmas and are wondering how to get rid of your tree, I can’t help but plug this unconventional advice from a Guardian story in 2022.
Rather than throwing your tree away, eat it instead (yes, you read that right). It turns out you can use your Christmas tree’s pine needles for seasonings, pickling vegetables or creating a spruce ice-cream sundae.
For the rest of us (or the rest of your tree), Earth911’s directory has info on where you can drop your tree off. Or search “treecycling” and your zip code to find whether your community has resources to turn trees into mulch.
In the kitchen: how to store holiday leftovers
Photograph: Miodrag Ignjatovic/Getty Images/iStockphoto
No matter how mouthwatering a holiday meal you’ve prepared, even the best home cooks will find themselves with leftovers.
To avoid food waste and hopefully help you take a few well-deserved nights off from cooking, we asked culinary writer Emily Farris to share her tips for preserving the remnants of your holiday feast.
Her main advice? Put them in smaller containers so they’re more manageable. I love her recommendation of these glass containers with silicone vents for easy microwaving (and fewer dishes to wash) – plus they’re plastic-free.
At home: gifts for DIYers
Photograph: Sandra Navarro/Guardian Design
If you want to become more handy in the new year, or simply save your hard-earned dollars on a repair, consult our gift guide for DIYers (Christmas might be over, but you can still treat yourself).
Filter US contributor and self-proclaimed weekend DIYer Tim Stevens shared the tools he puts to work for his own at-home projects, including a handy cordless drill and a hands-free hack for a well-lit workspace.
If you aren’t feeling inspired to undertake a DIY project yourself, Stevens’s recommendations also double as solid housewarming gift ideas.
Read the full story here: The eight best gifts in the US for the DIYer in your life
Best of: family board games
Photograph: Imgorthand/Getty Images
Selecting a board game that your entire family will willingly swap their screen time for can be tricky. To help us find the best options that won’t end in boredom (or in tears), we asked experts for help venturing out from the classics.
Their picks ranged from a game that might bring out your competitive side to a travel-friendly option that I wish I had packed on my last family vacation (we can no longer civilly play Monopoly).
Read the full story here: The 21 best family board games in the US, according to experts
On our shelves: banned books
Photograph: Tracy Allison/The Guardian
In 2025, book bans made headlines, causing librarians and civil rights groups to fight back.
Representing people of color and LGBTQ+ communities, many titles on banned books lists resonate with readers around the world and even win awards.
So, if you’re feeling rebellious, we’ve put together a list of the very best banned books to kick-start your reading goal. From 20th-century classics to contemporary hits, our list has something for readers of all types and ages.
Year in review: What you loved this year
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
If you would rather fork over your life savings than share your 2025 Spotify Wrapped results, we’ve stepped in with our own version. We have compiled your favorite items of 2025, a list that we hope evokes less shame than your listening age or artist of the year.
From a well-made set of bath towels to a classy cashmere scarf, your most-shopped products were practical, fashionable and made to last.