Next 6 ways to a 12 days of a GREEN Christmas
Having started with 6 ways to have a Green Christmas, it occured to me that it doesn’t sound quite right. So here’s the next 6 to round it off to a good clean dozen… and help you celebrate 12 days of Christmas in 12 cool GREEN ways.
Making Christmas more meaningful can really be easy when we keep our sights on the same star.
7. Do eco-friendly gift wraps
When it comes to eco-friendly giftwraps, less is so much more!
I don’t know about you, but giftwrapping is my thing! I just love coming up with really nice wraps because it not only make the gift more festive, make it more special for the recipient, but makes me even happier giving it that way.
I just love making my own boxes so it becomes part of the gift itself.
Of course, I can not possibly do that for every gift but there are biodegradable / reusable gift wraps. It’s still fuss-free and even guilt-free.
8. Give gifts just as natural
Going natural and native doesn't mean tacky, you can find chic and fashionable gifts for just about anyone at trade fairs.
It is really so easy to just go to 168 Mall and buy the whole lot of hmmm, let’s say… Disney Princess plastic cases or disposable what-have-yous-office-thingies and avail of their oh-so-tempting wholesale prices! But knowing that this will one day meet the trash-bin fairies, I decided to pass it up. There are even wood toys in Divi that are soooo cute, but not knowing the manufacturer and with their super low prices, I opted not to for concerns of lead content.
So what else is there????!!!
The answer… go to trade fairs instead! Read through my trade fair finds and you will definitely get an idea that there is really an alternative to disposable China products. You not only bring new meaning to Christmas but literally make the Christmas of countless Pinoys in the provinces merrier!
9. Use natural ornaments
Sometimes we just need to look back in our childhood and we get inspiration on how to keep things green, natural and still merry.
If you can not recycle or reuse, then do it naturally! This way, even if you change your decor every year, you’ll make the land richer for more produce and even better Christmas decor selection in the years to come. Being merry for a few weeks and should bring more cheer the whole year don’t you think?
10. Enjoy some native Christmas goodies
Is it just me or looking at this basket of suman brings me back to Christmas Past. Where things are simpler and just as special.
I don’t know about you, but my kids and I can not get enough of puto bumbong and bibingka! I’d like to see more gifts of uhmmm, maybe suman, puto or kakanin going around.
If you are from Malabon, you know what I mean. Where else can you see people lining up in looong queues just to order their favorite kakanin? Syempre pa, sa Dolor’s lang! Tell me, is it a good thing to see them in malls now? without the challenge of the long lines, is it really the same? hehehe
Fortunately, my mother is in the same thinking. We don’t really talk about it, but this year, she decided to make suman for her gifts! No fruitcakes or brownies for us, just good and satisfyingly-not-so-sweet suman. My kids can only say, yummmyyyy!!!
11. Make your own recycled / upcycled gifts
We are all familiar with the zesto banig weaved bags, but this silver bag using the inside rather than the outside from a Gawad Kalinga cooperative makes it quite chic don't you think?
This can be a bit tricky and very time consuming, but I do have a project for my little girl. It’s a secret for now, but with 5 days left, I may still pull it off, I’ll tell you more about it.
If you can not make, for whatever reason, no time, no energy or whathaveyou, then just buy. There are really so many alternatives, just go to Greenhills Tiangge, they have a Gawad Kalinga booth there near the fountain area where the other NGO booths are located.
12. Retell the Christmas story to your own kids
We used my kid's toys last year to do a puppet show of the nativity. It can also be just as easy for you, or just tell the story in your own words, believe me your kids will love it!
We tell the story every night, (or at least try to) in 4 week progression meaning the story is not finished until the fourth. You can tell it at least once if that is too challenging. The best time is on Christmas Eve, maybe just before opening presents, right?
You may think there is nothing GREEN about this, but if we stress the REAL importance of Christmas then it won’t be about the gifts and the toys.
We will be gently teaching our children to simplify, to be content and to be happy from within. A great antidote for the wanting more and more stuff that may just end up in the trash one day.
Remember it’s not about being OC and making Christmas more stressful than it is! Just try to do what is easy for you for now, and start from there.
So there you have it, 12 GREEN days of Christmas!
Be happy. Be Healthy. Be Whole.
Make the Quaint things count,
Theresa
Filed under Gift in giving, Green Christmas, Green Crafts, Green Kids by .
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Comments on Next 6 ways to a 12 days of a GREEN Christmas
3:32 pm
I’m giving away local organic personal care products as gifts!
8:53 am
That’s a great idea! Spreading the GREEN consciousness at Christmas all at one go : )
2:02 pm
Go green! After all Christmas is about loving through giving and being health conscious…