We Want Tap

Now That’s What I Call Christmas

home made christmas tree

The shops aren’t belting out the Christmas anthems just yet, but it’s not long now till you get lambasted with Winter Wonderland and Last Christmas every time you pop out for so much as a pint of milk.

We’re not bah humbug about Christmas – far from it. Any excuse for a few of Nigella’s crudités washed down with a glass of something bubbly and we’re there with big jingle bells on. But Christmas takes its toll on the environment and tends to give your wallet a walloping too.

In these cash-strapped times, there’s good reason to have a small, but perfectly jolly Christmas and minimize the impact of the festive season on the planet.

Lots of websites now sell eco-friendly gifts that don’t cost a fortune, but do order in plenty of time. We reckon that wind-up radios and eco-kettles will be must-buys… you’d be gutted to discover they’re out of stock…

British Eco (http://www.britisheco.com) offers a sparkling array of solar-powered lighting and also has some great gardening gifts for green-fingered friends and family. Delivery is free but takes about up to a week.

Philanthropic gifts are becoming much more popular. Not only do they make a positive difference, they’re also a welcome change from bath salts and slippers. Oxfam Unwrapped has an ‘eco-warriors’ collection this Xmas, including rainwater collection (£18) and forest protection (£45) in territories where they’re desperately needed. The recipient gets a card and a fridge magnet. http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop

If you’re after arty crafty presents, Ecoemporia has a beautiful range of handmade gifts made from recycled materials. There’s a stunning bowl for a mere eight quid, flower-power brooches for just £16 (good for grannies who were swinging in the 60s) and a selection of gorgeous bags, scarves, purses and wallets. Final postage and packing is based on the weight of your order and different delivery options are offered, including international www.ecoemporia.com.

If you really can’t face the shops, then roll up your sleeves and get busy making some gifts. Here are a few ideas:-

1. Visit http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk to print out a calendar for 2009. Customize it with photos of family, friends and pets. Mums will love it.
2. Wash up old jars and fill them will home-made marmalade, chutney or mincemeat. Find recipes for all at www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk. Aunties will be ecstatic.
3. Encourage children to make little gifts for friends and relatives. The Mister Maker website has some excellent ideas such as a train-shaped pencil holder or a picture of a snowflake that can be framed and presented to proud uncle or grandpa. www.mistermaker.com

Onto wrapping. Sadly, 50,000 trees are cut down to make Christmas wrapping paper every year, so think about other ways you can make your presents look gorgeous.

Check out artist John Boak’s website www.boakart.com for inspiration (http://www.boakart.com/wrap/WrapArt.html). This glorious gallery shows how to combine discarded magazines and direct mail flyers, and also how to paint or draw bows directly onto gifts. Wrapping presents in newspaper - the time-honoured suggestion for greener-thinking folk - looks awful and cheap – not a good Christmas combo. Plus no one will thank you for giving them inky hands…

Seasons greetings, everyone. May your days be merry and free, and may all your Christmases be green.

SOME HANDY CHRISTMAS LINKS:

Make your own christmas decorations:
http://greenliving.suite101.com/article.cfm/going_green_for_the_holidays...
http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Knit-a-Christmas-tree-decoration/v1
http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Make-a-Christmas-fairy-decoration/v1

How to make wrapping paper from old magazines:
http://www.curbly.com/abmatic/posts/546-Recycled-Wrapping#jump
http://www.instructables.com/id/ReWrap---recycled-wrapping-paper-and-bow...

Where to buy recycled Christmas cards:
http://www.allthingsgreen.net/marketplace/green-card-company-m-26.html

Real or plastic tree?:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/dec/11/greenchristmas

Buy sustainable christmas trees:
http://www.christmastree.org.uk

How to recycle your Christmas cards:
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/cards/

Recycle unwanted Christmas presents:
http://www.nigelsecostore.com/forum/ - a handy regifting forum
www.freecycle.com – old favourite freecycle
http://www.natll.org.uk/ - the national toy library could always do with donations

Sign a NUPP with friends – No Unnecessary Present Pact!:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/nupp/

Buy Eco Christmas gifts:
http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/pages/default.aspx
http://www.ecoutlet.co.uk/
http://www.love-eco.co.uk/
http://www.fashion-conscience.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/page/ethicalfashiondirectory

Low carbon Christmas lights:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2007/dec/07/lowc...

Charity gifts:
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/Hub.aspx?catalog=Unwrapped
http://www.presentaid.org/