What this e-book is aiming to achieve ... Sustainable Christmas! ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE THINKING, LEARNING & DOING SLOW THE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT & RESOURCES What is this e-book not aiming to achieve!! TAKE THE FUN OUT OF XMAS FESTIVITIES & TRADITIONS INCREASE COSTS (IN FACT, WE ENCOURAGE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY TOO!) TAKE AWAY YOUR CHOICES. WE WANT YOU TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU Let’s start with some facts ... What makes Christmas UN-Sustainable ? + 4,500 TONNES OF TIN FOIL USED + 13,350 TONNES OF GLASS USED + WRAPPING PAPER TO GO ROUND THE EQUATOR NINE TIMES + ESTIMATED THAT EVERY CHRISTMAS TREE BOUGHT IN THE UK THIS YEAR PUT END TO END, WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A RETURN TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY + ESTIMATED THAT 230,000 TONNES OF FOOD WORTH APPROXIMATELY £275 MILLION GETS THROWN AWAY ACROSS THE UK DURING CHRISTMAS. SOME ANNUAL XMAS STATS FROM UK... (because we could not locate NZ data) And finally before we move onto the fun stuff. ... What makes Christmas UN-Sustainable ? • SHIPPING OVER GREAT DISTANCES • PRODUCTS, PACKAGING AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL MADE FROM NON-RECYCLABLE & TOXIC MATERIAL (ENDS UP IN LANDFILL OR THE OCEAN) • CARBON GENERATED DURING PRODUCTION • CHEAP (SOMETIMES SLAVE) LABOUR • WASTE • AND MORE... SOMETHING TO CONSIDER... If households that usually buy electronic items at Christmas, pledged to buy two less this year and bought books instead. They would save 55kg of CO2! That’s a huge impact! So, how can we reduce our impact and still have a Merry Christmas? REUSE: IF YOU HAVE IT, REUSE IT. IF YOU DON’T, BUY REUSABLE WHERE YOU CAN. REFUSE: IF YOU DON’T NEED ANYTHING, TELL PEOPLE POLITELY IN ADVANCE. REDUCE: BE ORGANISED. ONLY BUY WHAT IS NEEDED. AVOID UNNECESSARY EXTRAS & DOUBLE UPS RECYCLE: BE CREATIVE & RESOURCEFUL. ASK AROUND. BUY SECONDHAND. TRADE. SHOP SUSTAINABLY: How to have a more Sustainable Christmas Tree & Decorations Gifts Wrapping Food FOUR AREAS WE EXPLORE IN THIS GUIDE: What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Tree & Decorations If you already have a Christmas tree option, by all means REUSE it. If you don’t, here are some sustainable alternatives: • Build a Christmas tree from sustainably sourced items (e.g. driftwood or recycled decorations) • Hang a Christmas tree image on the wall (this is a great space saver too!) • Keep a Pohutakawa (or your choice of tree) potted in your home and garden all year round and when Christmas time comes, turn it into your Christmas tree. CHRISTMAS TREES WITH A DIFFERENCE: What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Tree & Decorations DECORATIONS CAN BE FESTIVE & FUN: Again, we encourage you to bring any existing decorations you own back to life. But if you don’t own any or you feel the need more, we encourage you to get creative! Here are some ideas: • Have a family or friends craft day, using items you own or can sustainably source. There are so many ideas online. • Mini Christmas trees made out of fabric or ribbon offcuts and branches. • For the wine drinkers, use the corks to make reindeers. • Snowflakes made from twigs. • Get creative with your art supplies, jars and vases, and more... What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Furoshiki wrapping method Wrapping WRAPPING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BORING: We showed the facts earlier on how much wrapping gets consumed every year in the UK (enough to go around the equator nine times), but how can we help to stop this? Here are some ideas: • Make or buy beeswax cloths (they smell good too!) • Look up Furoshiki wrapping methods, this makes gift unwrapping fun! • Used recycled materials (e.g. recycled wrapping, brown paper, newspaper) • Use part of the gift as the wrapping (e.g. scarf or tea towel) What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Gifts GIFTING EXPERIENCES OVER MATERIAL GOODS: Time and memories are the greatest gifts of all. Here are some ideas: • Courses or workshops (e.g. dance classes, yoga, or cooking classes) • Live events (e.g. sports, theatre, concerts...) • Activities for kids (e.g. Stardome, Jump, or a camping trip) Donations for.. ..a good cause What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Gifts GIFTS THAT FEEL GOOD: Here are some great feel good by doing good gift ideas for the person who already has everything they need: GIFTS THAT ENCOURAGE NATURE: This goes for kids (e.g. a bug hotel for your garden) or adults (e.g. plants) Food boxes.. Scarecrow has created The Small Gift Box Collection, a range of natural, local, artisan and sustainable gift packs. They are just $40 each. ..from local producers Hunt and Gather Bee Co. produces award-winning raw artisan forest honey in Raglan in six varieties. Sustainably packed in glass jars with paper labels from plastic-free hives. What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Gifts IF MATERIAL GIFTS, BUY SUSTAINABLE & LOCAL: Jessica Kate Art New Zealand based artist. Passionate about creativity, nature and the environment. Create works that inspire. www.jessicakate.org Gina Rose Babywear. Clothing and accessories made to order by me. Mama of two, designer and creator of baby clothes. Facebook: @ginarosedesign In the weeks leading up to Christmas: • Make space in your fridge, freezer and pantry • Plan your menu In the days before Christmas: • Make your shopping list • Store things correctly On Christmas Day: • Don’t serve everything at once, keep it stored and bring it out as you need it • Get everything in the fridge as soon as possible On Boxing Day • Eat your leftovers • Freeze leftovers that won't be eaten What makes Christmas more sustainable ? Food THE CHRISTMAS FEAST: There are guides online that can help you prepare the right amount for your number of guests! Food What makes Christmas more sustainable ? FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Instead of all the meats.. ..what about choose one cooked to perfection and complimented with delicious sides. This e-book provides just some of the many ways we can play our part in having a more Sustainable Christmas. For those celebrating Christmas, We hope it’s a very merry one filled with good times and special memories made. SunnySunday Sources Facts: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/christmas-waste-green-recycling https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2007/dec/14/avoidingunsustainablechristm https://sustainabledmu.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/sustainable-eating-at-christmas-facts-figures-and-solutions/ https://www.veggiehappy.com/eating-plant-based-meals-is-choosing-sustainability/ Alternative Christmas Tree, Decoration: https://onekindesign.com/2016/12/02/christmas-tree-alternatives/ https://www.naturallivingideas.com/32-homemade-eco-friendly-christmas-decorations-that-look-stunning/ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g2132/mason-jar-christmas-crafts/?slide=32 https://giant.sg/10-easy-eco-friendly-christmas-decorations-that-look-awesome Gift wrapping: https://redlandmarketvillage.com/alternative-gift-wrapping-ideas-for-the-holidays/ Gifts: https://sustainable.org.nz/christmas-gift-guide-2019/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/twin-your-toilet-donate-goat-other-sustainable-gift-ideas-ambrose/ Food: https://www.foodandhome.co.za/how-to/calculate-catering-quantities-per-person https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/zero-food-waste-christmas/ SunnySunday Using a few hours one Sunday per month to learn or do good for the community and planet. Monthly educational events in and around Auckland covering a variety of topics, including Sustainability, Conservation, Eco-friendly lifestyle, Food & Nutrition, Art, Documentaries, Films & Readings, Mental & Physical Well-being, Nature Walks & Site- seeing, Science & Field-trips, and more.