Are Christmas and sustainability compatable?
We think so. Try some of the following ideas to help you make your Christmas a sustainable one.
Pot up a tree as a gift – the world can always do with more trees. Although Christmas in New Zealand is a long way from tree planting season, so your gift may not be planted out until next winter, meaning it will need some TLC from its recipient till then. Giving natives trees or flowering shrubs will help nurture our native birds and the bees.
Upcycle and recycle things you no longer need. Make old blankets into retro-styled cushions or soft toys. Use BioPaints testpots to repaint something you were on the verge of taking to the second-hand shop. Or get down to the nearest second-hand store and buy something that needs a bit of retrofitting, a new handle and a little paint job perhaps.
Offer to give someone a gift of your time – make a handwritten voucher pledging 3 hours of your time to help paint a coffee table/door/bedhead. We can all do with the gift of time – and not just at Christmas. Get inspired by looking at our designer, Tina’s amazing painted table. Look at either BioPaints’ Facebook page or, for more detail, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpVluYP15Vw&feature=related
Buy living gifts from World Vision, Tear Fund http://www.giftforlife.co.nz/, Save the children and any other sites that offer the same service. Your gift goes to someone in a third world country on behalf of your recipient.
Pledge to buy handmade www.buyhandmade.org/ and give gifts that come from the heart. Lovely idea – especially for family and very close friends.
To find your handmade items. Try shopping at New Zealand site Felt http://www.felt.co.nz/
And finally, remember to take time to cherish your family and all the people in your life.