Go green this festive season
It’s easy to create an ethical, environmentally friendly Christmas, writes Josie Steenhart.
Toxic tinsel’s out. Same goes for the plastic decorations, the stitching on that stocking you’re about to hang was potentially sewn by an exploited factory worker, unhappy ham is off the menu, and that juicy paperback you were going to gift your mum is basically nothing more than a piece of plundered rainforest.
What’s supposed to be a jolly day of decadence and delight can, these days, seem more like a minefield of ethical and environmental issues.
But changing your habits and traditions to accommodate these issues doesn’t have to be overwhelming, expensive, or leave anyone disappointed – there are plenty of small ways to keep your conscience, and the planet, clean, and enjoy a genuinely good Christmas in every sense of the word.
Get ethical
This is particularly relevant when it comes to gifts. The easiest starting point is to do a little research into the ethical practices of local brands and businesses, many of whom are striving for fairer practices across the board.
Stores like Trade Aid are a onestop ethical shop from cards and wrapping paper to decor, gifts, and even food.
When thinking Christmas giving, don’t forget those in your community likely to be looking forward to a less than merry time. ‘‘Adopt’’ a family in need through The Salvation Army, or drop off a gift or festive food item at the various donation outlets around the country.
If you think you’ll find yourself with a few hours spare on Christmas Day itself, consider volunteering at a local community Christmas lunch – a small commitment for high feel-good factor – or set aside some family time to fire off a storm of emails for Amnesty International, a great reminder not to take human rights and freedoms for granted.
‘‘My family has a tradition that we always spend a day giving back during the festive season,’’ says New York-based Kiwi celebrity chef Anthony Hoy Fong.
‘‘Last year my wife and I packed holiday meals for the needy, and the year before it was participating in ‘‘meals on wheels’’ holiday meal drop-offs.
‘‘There’s always someone out there who needs help, and when you’re fortunate enough to be able to indulge on Christmas there’s nothing more rewarding than giving back and sharing it around a little.’’
On the ethical eating front, luckily for us Kiwis there are a growing number of sound options for free-range turkey and ham, with prices that aren’t wildly more than those farmed under less happy circumstances. A few dollars more is really a small price to pay, and it’s a way to vote on what you think is right, plus freerange fare undoubtedly tastes better!
‘‘Always ask yourself the question ‘where is this from, and how was it raised or caught?’ when selecting your proteins,’’ says top New Zealand chef Nick Honeyman.
‘‘Make sure you always go local too, and if you have a favourite Christmas recipe that does use produce found overseas, substitute them for local ingredients.’’
Have a very environmentally friendly Christmas
Another biggie during the silly season of crazy consumption is the effect it has on our poor environment, already straining at the belt not to dry up for good, flood, burn us to cinders, or rain pestilence down upon us.
Santa knows what’s up, which is why he uses reindeer and a sleigh rather than clocking up carbon credits flying a plane around the world in one night.
For those with smaller jobs than the white-bearded boss to undertake for the big day: make a list (checkin’ it twice) of everything you need, from wrapping paper to candles to frozen peas and serviettes, and do one big grocery shop instead of 30.
For your fresh produce, keep it local – pinch some of your neighbours’ herbs, vegetables, or fruit (or better yet grow your own), and get the rest from roadside stalls or farmers’ markets – it will taste better, be better for you, and for the environment.
‘‘Make use of the abundant fruit that summer has to offer,’’ says Masterchef NZ winner Tim Read.
‘‘Freshly squeezed juices mixed with a little olive oil as a dressing over salads, a massive fruit salad with yoghurt for dessert instead of another brownie, and fruit kebabs for the kids.’’
Speaking of wrapping paper, it’s estimated in the UK alone, 365,000 kilometres of wrapping paper is thrown away over the holidays.
The same goes for serviettes – get a linen set you can reuse, or buy the recycled paper option – and don’t forget to continue the cycle by sorting it into your paper bin at the end of the day. And all those wine and beer bottles.
Also on the paper front, books are a popular Kiwi gift but also take a huge toll on the environment – Kindles and e-readers make a great gift with long-term possibilities, and for those who already have one, a top up of e-books or an e-book voucher are a good way to go.
Those ‘‘virtual’’ gift ideas are good too. Give a donation to Greenpeace, the Royal Forest & Bird Society, or World Wildlife Fund, or get your loved ones some carbon offsets or shares in something like The Small Wind Co-op, a cool UK initiative that allows shareholders to co-own wind turbines in Scotland and Wales.
‘‘Christmas has become so commercialised that sometimes it seems like it’s all about spending up large on loads of stuff, which often ends up broken in the bin, rather than the idea of giving and thoughtfulness,’’ says Kiwi chef Annabel Langbein.
‘‘Think about alternatives and don’t be shy to start some new Christmas traditions and rituals that work better for your family and our planet.’’
‘‘Myself, I like the idea of a 100 per cent homemade Christmas. Each year, I cook up a big batch of my current favourite preserve, jam, or baked Christmas treat, and distribute pretty jars or packages to friends and family.
Finally, we turn to decorations, tiny bits of cuteness and joy that can quickly become landfill – either choose with care and use them for many years ahead or make your own with paper, dried flowers, popcorn, or ribbon – and getting crafty is actually surprisingly fun for kids both small and big.
‘‘When you’re decorating the tree, aim less for the tree looking ‘‘done’’ and more towards creating rituals and memories,’’ suggests Langbein.
‘‘Instead of buying plastic decorations, make big white or red bows out of crepe paper, or paint big oak leaves to hang on the tree. In our family we used to just buy a couple of decorations to add to the tree each year – I’ve still got some of my grandmother’s today.’’