Greener giving23 December 2009
It's mid-winter again, a great time to make a difference. Impress friends and family with a few of our fun tips for a greener Christmas.
Cards, present and future
Did you know?
Over a billion Christmas cards will probably end up in the bin over the next month. That's over 200,000 trees.
Christmas is just around the corner so start collecting materials to make cards and gift tags.
Keep a box handy to collect bits of coloured paper, photos or pictures from magazines. Dig out those old Christmas cards and re-use them. Or impress your family and friends by sending an e-card instead.
Give the gift of time
Instead of buying presents, give your time - help with the decorating, cleaning or gardening.
Draw up promise certificates - make breakfast in bed for your parents. Or take a younger brother or sister to the cinema.
Here's one I made earlier
Home made presents always go down well. Why not give away some of your own paintings or drawings, bake a cake or make marmalades and jams? Or give something that's good for the planet too, like a tree.
It's a wrap!
Did you know?
It's estimated that 83 km2 of Christmas wrapping paper will end up in rubbish bins in the UK. That's enough to cover an area larger than the island of Guernsey.
Use less by re-using old wrapping paper. Use sheets of newspaper - add a pass-the-parcel touch with a few sweets or chocolates between the layers.
Turn unwanted shoe boxes into jazzy gift boxes with some paint and a bit of glitter.
And don't forget to save this year's wrapping to use next year!
Don't bin it! Swap it!
Got yet another copy of the same book or an unwanted soft toy? Why not organise a present swapping session with your friends after Christmas.
Treely good ideas
If you have a real Christmas tree, don't throw it away! Compost it for your own garden or contact your local authority to find out what services they're offering for recycling trees.
© Troy Sherk
