Small steps: Five ideas for a greener Xmas

[This story first appeared in the Dec 2014/Jan 2015 issue of Green Ideas magazine.]

1. Tinned tradition: “I have a tin that my Nana gave me around 1999 as I headed away to my first job (full of her home baking) and over the years we have passed it back and forward to each other. Even since my Nana’s passing I still bake for Granddad. No wrappers, less waste than biscuits from the shop.” – Bronwyn Graham

2. “I have decided that I will find experiences for the grandchildren rather than presents. Time with them and building memories is what is important.” – Suzanne Jensen

3. “We use our daughter’s paintings for wrapping gifts, and pieces of flax instead of ribbons. If you know how to weave little designs with flax, they are nice to stick onto the gift too.” – Jamila Knopp

4. “Every Christmas we go out as a family to find a tree on the farm that wouldn’t mind losing a few small branches, to become mini Christmas trees potted up in ceramic pots. Once we are done with the ‘trees’, they end up on the firewood pile.” – Lori Bowman

5. “This year I’ve made all my gifts. They’re retro cushions made from old blankets with a funky appliqued design, stuffed with the inner of a less-than-ideal duvet, and I’m using old district maps for wrapping. I had everything on hand, so there will be no budget blowout!” – Susan Hempseed

Share your ideas!

We’re celebrating the little things our readers do to live more sustainably because big changes start with small steps. If you’d like to share some of your own tips, tricks or recipes, email them to [email protected] (preferably with a photo) and we might include them in the magazine.