Christmas is the most wonderful time for friends and family to get together. Close to mid-winter, it is a natural time to huddle by the family fires and enjoy each other's company. Gift-giving is also a great way to say thank you to all those people who are part of your life. Christmas can also be a time of great waste, if we are not careful. So, here are a few ideas which will help you celebrate Christmas in style without making you feel guilty. Having a truly Green Christmas is merely a matter of making a few changes to your celebrations in order to add additional benefit to both wildlife and the environment.
Knowing Your Family
Nobody likes to give an unwanted gift; it is expensive and wasteful. Despite this, the charity shops are full of such unwanted gifts after Christmas. So how does a good person end up giving an unwanted gift?
- They don't ask what people want
Which is worse, asking what someone really wants, or getting someone a gift they really don't want. Your relative or friend may be longing for someone to buy them a particular item but you will never know until you ask. - They don't check details
Aunty might love a jumper, but it is also important to know that she would not be seen dead in pink and like long sleeve and high necks so that her arms and neck don't look "scraggy". These details make the difference between a wanted and an unwanted jumper. - They don't know the person well enough
There is the terrible example of the absentee dad who bought his son an expensive designer watch which was never used, while his mother, who knew him better, bought him a silver skull and crossbones on a thin silver chain and a couple of heavy metal CD which he never stopped playing. - They won't buy the silly gift
You have to be careful here. However, if you do purchase the silly gift that nobody else would dream of buying, one that is really wanted, it will be a gift that is remembered. For instance, my children got me a three foot toy dragon some years ago which I am still very fond of.
There are also wonderful opportunities to give thoughtfully chosen free gifts at Christmas, particularly to the children in the family. You would be surprised how popular such gifts can prove. Here are some examples:
