S2E29: Unpopular Opinion: Some gifts are clutter and real Christmas trees are overrated episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 29, 2025 · 24 MIN

S2E29: Unpopular Opinion: Some gifts are clutter and real Christmas trees are overrated

from The Straits Times Podcasts · host The Straits Times

We’re not Scrooges, we just want a less wasteful Christmas. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Christmas is just around the corner, and many are diving into frantic gift shopping and feast planning. But as Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty ask in this episode, do these traditions really spark joy – or do they just add clutter, waste and unnecessary spending? Tune in for practical tips on a clutter-free, eco-friendly Christmas, from smarter gift-giving to reducing food and packaging waste. Do you agree with their takes, or are they just being Christmas grinches? Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 2:00 How to give sustainable gifts that people actually want  6:30 Regifting – faux pas or a sustainability win? 8:17 Is Christmas gift wrapping environmentally friendly?  15:11 The lowdown on reducing food waste at Christmas feasts  18:10 The debate over real vs fake Christmas trees  Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Feedback to: [email protected] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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S2E29: Unpopular Opinion: Some gifts are clutter and real Christmas trees are overrated

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This episode is 24 minutes long.

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This episode was published on December 29, 2025.

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We’re not Scrooges, we just want a less wasteful Christmas. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Christmas is just...

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