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e-mag December Issue Have a Merry Green Christmas
e-mag December Issue Have a Merry Green Christmas | Have a Merry Green Christmas |
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 holiday away, slow down and remember, Christmas is really about spending time with family and sharing and celebrating the Christmas story. We would also like to ask you to do one more thing, please remember to make the green choice wherever and whenever possible these Christmas holidays - it’s easier than you think. There are some simple ways to make sure your Christmas is a green affair with the lowest carbon footprint possible. When it comes to decorations and the tree with all the trimmings there is the real vs. fake tree debate between many eco-minded people. Getting a real tree in a pot and then planting it in your garden would be an ideal green solution. However if you must go fake get a really good quality one that can be used year after year reducing waste, also look for those made from sustainable materials. If you would like to go one step  further to really reduce your impact on the environment choose a locally made fake tree to support our economy and reduce ‘travel’ miles that the Chinese made plastic tree has. Buy locally made ornaments; there are plenty of charities in South Africa producing wonderful handmade decorations that will appreciate your support and can be used year after year on your tree.  When it comes to those ever popular twinkly Christmas lights its simple - used low voltage bulbs for better energy efficiency. Candles always add atmosphere to the Christmas dinner table so look for those made from beeswax, soy or vegetable wax, all biodegradable and renewable materials.  Talking about Christmas dinner as always think - local is lekker and organic is better. If you can’t face a vegetable casserole for your Christmas meal, think traditional free range turkey, natural lamb spit with organic mint jelly, organic pork with locally produced cranberry sauce. Support the local shops, the butcher down the road, the “little guy” and the organic markets in your area who provide fresh organic produce and great homemade treats and baked goods (check out our directory for one listed near you). Organic wine will round off your eco friendly and delicious meal very nicely and here in South Africa we have a wonderful variety to choose from.  Finally and certainly not least we look at greening your Christmas gifts. When shopping here are the simple green rules to follow: avoid plastic and unsustainable goods and anything made from endangered wood and look for durable gifts that will last and support items that are locally produced. If you are looking for a unique idea for those people who have everything, adopt a polar bear or penguin in their name or buy a tree to be planted by Trees for Africa or other like organisations. Look for items that will not just become “stuff” and purchase tickets to a theatre event or concert such as a Kirstenbosch summer sunset concert to enjoy together (Or win tickets in our competition! ). Alternatively skip the shops entirely this year and do your purchasing at our newly launched online shop, with great sustainable and organic products for the whole family.  They say that half the gift is in the presentation and wrapping paper is one of the biggest wastages over the Christmas season plugging our land-fills every year with tons of unrecyclable paper. Get creative and use recycled or handmade papers to warp presents or recycle old magazine clippings, or place the gift in a reusable box. Most of all have a wonderful festive season shared with family in friends! |
The Christmas silly season these days means fighting crowds at the shopping centres, desperately searching the aisles for that ‘perfect’ gift, staying up late wrapping the kids presents with shiny paper, bows and ribbons, over indulging in good food at Christmas parties and perhaps regretting that extra glass of champagne the next day. 
