A Christmas that Doesn’t Cost the Earth
Margaret Rohde. November 2004
[This article published in the December issue of EcoVoice, and republished here with their permission. The next issue of EcoVoice will be available in newsagents ($2) from December 3.]
Christmas has a huge environmental impact but there are alternatives to over consumption while still entering into the spirit of the season. You could choose not to give a gift, or give recycled or home produced gifts and if buying new goods, consider the environmental and social impact of your purchase.
- Choose not to give a gift.
For friends 'who have everything' give a donation to your favorite charity and send a greeting card to your friend explaining that a donation has been made on their behalf that will make a big difference to the life of a family in a developing country. Some charities eg CARE, Caritas and TEAR have gift catalogues for this purpose with gift options such as a chicken ($10) or a year of primary health care services ($40).
Similarly you can 'adopt' an animal at the local zoo, or in South Australia you can 'adopt' a dolphin in the Port River through WDCS.
- Give something recycled, or grown at home.
If time permits, make something such as chocolates, jam, pickles, or a child's dress, a quilt, or a give a plant from your garden
Recycle one of your own unused gifts that someone else will appreciate.
Check out the secondhand shops for pre-loved toys and bikes
- Buying new things.
Fair Trade products from Oxfam CAA shops - your gift gives twice: enjoyment to the gift recipient and helping an artisan in a developing country.
- Books on environmental issues.
Household goods that save greenhouse gas emissions and dollars such as CFL globes, pedestal or ceiling fans, bamboo blinds for window shading, low-flow showerheads. Attractive cloth shopping bags, baskets, or a colourful shopping trolley.
- Buying a gift with long term benefits
Gift vouchers for courses eg permaculture, organic gardening, cooking, bicycle maintenance, dressmaking, curtain making É A year's subscriptions for a magazine on gardening, owner-building, crafts, cycling É Membership of YHA or a National Parks Pass.
- Travelling at Christmas • check your eco-footprint at: www.myfootprint.org then if still flying, consider joining Trees for Life or a similar organization. Planting trees could offset some of the environmental impact of your trip. Holiday accommodation - try camping in some of our magnificent National Parks, or use homestay or hotels with genuine eco-tourism credentials.
If you're visiting a developing country, support locally owned services, moderate your demands and your impact on the local environment.
- Wrapping paper, cards and decorations • minimise or make your own.
- Clothes • remember, only you will remember what you wore to the party.
2007.10.24