Guess what time of year is near?
The December holidays can mean many things – time off work, religious rituals, good times with family and friends, and hopefully some rest and relaxation.
It can be wonderful but sometimes a little stressful, especially when it comes to the gift-giving part!
You might ask yourself, what should I buy? Why is everything over packaged and made overseas? Will they like it? Shouldn’t I be making something instead? Where do I find the time?
With a real head start, you can minimize the waste and environmental impact of your holidays.
Gifts from your kitchen
- Baked goods make excellent presents for friends, extended family, and co-workers
- Grow windowbox herbs, separate them, and purchase small planting pots to give the gift of life!
Out on the town
- Support events like in-town music, theatre, dance, and sports by buying tickets as gifts. Even your kids will appreciate a chance to see their favorites live.
- Give gift certificates that support your local community! Try organic or local food restaurants and spas that use natural and organic beauty products.
Hand-made and personal
- Make your own gift tags out of scrap paper, old file folders, and cardboard
- No time to make gifts yourself? Support local artists, sewers, designers, authors, and crafters by buying their wears at trade shows and boutique shops.
Holiday décor
- When lighting up your space, indoors and outdoors, choose LED string lights, and beeswax or vegetable-based candles. Here’s how to safely make your own candles!
- Christmas trees are a symbol of the holidays, but both real trees and fake plastic ones are not environmentally responsible. Consider a recycled christmas tree. Take a look at the options offered by Boutique Cascades, you will be surprised how you can make decorating the tree, a brand new tradition!
Make community connections
The holidays can be very difficult for people going through a hard time. Some people feel the pain of loss, isolation, financial stress, and illness more acutely at this time of year. Take the lead and foster a caring green, spirit in your community. You can:
- Visit people in a care home or rehab centre (children, seniors, people with disabilities, people with addictions)
- Volunteer at fundraising events or food drives
- Find out where you can donate a box of collected items (food, gently-used clothing, coats, household items, etc.).
Wishing you good health and happiness this holiday season!
Make a difference − share this environmental tip with your friends.
