Wishing you All A Very Merry, Eco-Friendly Green Christmas from the Envirowarrior.
I'd like to wish you all the very best that the season has to offer – especially the peace and joy – and your ability to partake in - and enjoy some of - it, in-between meeting family obligations and final mall-crawling for last minute gifts.
It feels like that, doesn’t it? My children have my head spinning this year, because now I have a teenager and the Envirowarrior's progeny have rarely gone on more-than-necessary trips to the mall, but we’ve been three times this week looking for 'the right' third-world, eco-friendly, no Chinese-cheapy, low-packaging thingy … I've created monsters *laughs* luckily we found 'one such item' in the newly opened Oxfam shop ...and bonus, it makes music; which together with the local Crystal shop and some home made gifts – has saved the week's sanity.
I also feel unwell and not up to my usual research abilities, so I thought I’d let you all off with a few last minute eco-friendly Christmas tips to help you spend a kinder-to-the-environment and less commercially oriented holiday.
~ If you’re just getting to the end of your Christmas list and running out of time, don’t forget that there are some amazing eco-friendly e-cards available out there in virtual land, including some inspirational ones at enviro.org.au
Recycled Christmas Card and Cement Letterbox
Above all, keep your heads and stay calm, it’s the same as last year and everything will arrive on time… or not, in which case it will arrive late and everyone will still love you anyway … some things are meant to be late... that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it, the love?
Well done!
~ We’ve already discussed alternatives for Christmas Trees and I know you’ve all become eco-friendly Christmas Tree Families as a result. If you didn’t make it this year, please don’t feel bad, there will be another chance next year… hopefully.
Pepsi and Coke-can Angels, brilliant!
Click here for a light-bulb comparison table (exel).
~ Use rechargeable batteries. There’s even a USBCELL out now, that re-charges by plugging into your computer.
Decoupage Clock
~ Put together an organic fruit basic for a friend or your favourite older relative. But in the words of my dear Dad, '...if they are very old and frail, don’t buy green fruit, make sure it’s ripe and ready to eat.'
~ Use old newspapers, old gift tags, comics and magazines for padding out delicate items that are to be posted and hold the plastic bag... take a cloth on with you.
~ Buy handmade items with less packaging. Things like sweaters, stuffed toys, wooden toys, puzzles, furniture, plants, flowers, artworks, etc.
~ Consider more gifts of time such as volunteering, home made gift certificates for favours, such as helping a friend with childcare, so she can have an evening off with her husband, a free lawn mowing, houseclean, car wash etc.
~ Frame a piece of art created by a child. Some relatives would love to receive something like that.
~ Sew an apron for your favourite cook with a personalised saying on it.
~ Cross stitch something on a towel, apron or framed fabric.
~ paint a flower pot and give a plant.
~ Create a cookbook with your teenager's favourite recipes, to treasure.
~ Let your children paint and decorate small craft boxes to give as gift jewellery boxes and other treasures.
~ Organise a kareoke carol singing party.
~ Decoupage someone’s favourite photo onto a container or box, so that they will be able to see it every day.
Better still, promise me that you’ll remember to say a prayer of gratitude in appreciation and make changes towards the eco-debt our future progeny will have to pay, for the luxury of it all.
If you have time, let me know what your most eco friendly gift has been this year, I’m curious.
Much love to you all, see you again soon with a great story about the emergence of brand new, totally wind and solar driven eco-cities, coming soon to vacant land near you!
We live in environmentally exciting times …
Have A Wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
all the best for 08. I look forward to reading your posts.
cheers
Louie
P.S. I used to think I was a tight arse for re-using paper, now I realise it was just foresight and I was being green
Flick Wit
Have a great Christmas and I hope you and the kidlets are feeling better soon!
Michaelie
From The Home Front
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You and me alike... streaks ahead of the pack, hey
It has been a pleasure for me too and boomerangs on your posts, as you know I have enjoyed them immensley and also look forward to more info from you in '08 ... I feel it will be an interesting year as many deadlines draw closer.
Cheers
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
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We've made some fresh fruit juice which seems to be helping - Apple, carrot, orange and ginger with half a lemon, seems to have settled three out of four tummies.
You know you're getting really serious when all your freinds also get recycled paper ... and they still like you, more infact *lol* or not, some may fall by the wayside.
I'm really amazed to see just how many people do actually recycle paper and cards... it's really fantastic... and actually becoming really trendy. I bet some bright spark will think of a new kind of reycled-paper-look in time to come?
I hope you have a very Merry one and all the peace you can enjoy.
Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by.
Lilla ...
Movies and Life
Brilliant post as always, Lilla. I feel happy that I managed to recycle a few things this year.
Hope you are feeling better soon and that you and your family have a lovely Christmas.
Trace
Flashes of memories
Hope you are all feeling better by Christmas Day.
Some great tips. I loved making recycled cards every year at school.... and we never had wrapping paper under our tree - only recycled newspaper with dabs of paint on. Woo hooo gotta love living in a third world country - who else gets to keep up with current affairs whilst opening their Christmas presents hahahaha!
That letter box is gorgeous btw.... and who could go past home made gifts over store bought, dime a dozen ones? Now that`s thoughtful prezzies right there!
Have a great day.
Ash
Geeky Blog
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Top of the mornin' to you...feeling much better thanks, even the little one has stopped vomiting. She had it bad yesterday. She is pale, but settled today. So much for hanging around the mall all week *laughs* totally draining.
I'm glad you got to recycle a few things Tracy, and I wish you the very Merryest (is that a word?) ... Christmas and the trip the most wonderful healing experience of your lives.
Going now to comment on those marvelous films of yours... I was up to watching Pans Lab yesterday when I had to dash...thanks for the lovely compliment.
Seasonal Hugglie
Lilla ...
From The Home Front
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Feeling better thanks.. only mild (tolerable) cramps this a.m. and the little one has stopped vomiting – that’s making us all feel better.
Oh Ash, HAHAHAHA (reading the wrapping paper) …I’m with you all the way on this one. Some of my most memorable Happy Christmas’s have been enjoyed and relished in third world countries (although sometimes they were celebrated under another name, at a different time of year) ... however, the point is, that there is just something about that kind of sharing and appreciation of simple things, that just doesn’t touch this world, does it?
It makes one feel so alive!
It’s hard to pass that on to children from within an affluent society, but I have tried. *lol* and by the way they dragged me around this week *sigh* … succeeded to some degree… although we still managed to drag some plastic home… you just can’t escape it!
I wish you a Christmas that makes your heart sing and your cup overflow with joy… hoping you also get some well deserved R and R, Ash.
Cheers .. and loads of affection from us all my friend …
Lilla and Co. xx
From The Home Front
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I'll put the kettle on and brew a chai to go with it.
Merry Christmas Techno, I hope it is filled with joy and laughter and all the sweet desires of your heart, fullfilled.
much warmth,
Lilla ...
Ars Poetica
ah memories...glad to hear your little ones are feeling better after the toxic mall runaround. Feeling your spirit here, and it's warming and peaceful...yes peace and love.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Lilla...
~Lily
Always Eighteen
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year Lilla
Always
Always Eighteen
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Merry Christmas.
Lilla ...
PS can you tell I've just come back from the mall - again! That's 835 grocery shops since I was married... woo hoo... not so many good vibes left now... have. to. go. and. rest.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Thank you, I was feeling a little better today ... but not now... am still a little flat (again)...bear with me.
The pleasure is mine, and I look forward to seeing more of you too, next year and reading your wonderful words.
Have a very special Christmas, A18... I hope Santa brings you all the peace, joy and love you can wish for ...
Cheers,
Lilla …
Wow, there's a lot of info here- considering you were sick and were just writing something quick!
Good on you - so many people are wanting this kind of info; it's a great blog and I look forward to reading more from you in the new year.
Oh, by the way, have you found anywhere, net or retail, to buy recycled Xmas wrapping paper? I've looked everywhere (could be a good business idea for next year I reckon)
and may you have a wonderful Christmas with your family, and may they appreciate you all the more for your efforts!
And for New Years...WIN LOTTO!!!
YIIIPPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May your new year bring much joy and prosperity too!
cheers
fog
From The Home Front
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Lovely to meet you.. Thank you for the compliment.
I think you have a great idea there for a business and as time moves on for our ‘civilisation’ and raw materials become dearer, it’d probably be a winner too … certainly can invisage boutique-type recycled wrapping paper shops. *laughs* You could have one of those big wheelie bins out the front for donations of old wrapping paper… the very rich love to feel like they are contributing too.
It’s a ‘wheelie’ good idea and I wish you luck with it if you pursue it… you’d think places like Vinnies would already be doing it, but I think they only care for profits, not the environment - not to say they don’t do a great job for the poorer echelons of society - and, not to mention the wonderful Shabby Chic set.
I’d arrange a shop like that, just like your very beautiful flower there… in a ranbow of coloured sections … all the blue papers, and green and red and yellow and purple… wonderful!
Have a Merry and Colourful [Thrifty] Christmas…
Lilla …
From The Home Front
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What’s that…you’ve won the lottery, you say?
Woo hoo… oh, no? ...you want me to win it?
Not much chance, I never buy a ticket… I did for a while, but the dream ended up costing too much… I decided to think about my death instead and find it much more rewarding… still I s’pose I could treat myself at Christmas and on Birthdays… why not. Thank you, a sterling idea.
Consider it implemented.
*laughs* And when I win, we’ll celebrate in style, you and me, okay? We’ll rent the concorde and take it around the world…picking up all the orblers, for the party of the decade…
/seriously/ Talking of abundance, I wish you all the joy, peace and fun that the season can hold for you in its days … I hope it is very special Fog, you deserve it.
Much warmth,
Lilla …
Rugby World Cup 2007
Hope you have a lovely festive season Lilla bahen..
I am in awe of
Your "not usual" is
mysomeone else's epic!...brilliant tips although I am guilty of sending cards...big hugs...
Dusk
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
I donated to Lifestraw.com, which is an awesome idea--check it out!
Plus we got a rainbarrel.
D. Armenta
From The Home Front
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Heartfelt sent and heavenly appreciated ...
Oh, Thank you for the compliment, but the irony is, that once I take the pressure off myself, I find I usually chug on for hours and have more in reserve than I thought I had, before - - when I was worrying about not having enough energy?
My numerologist friend will tell you it's all to do with my numbers ... something about living within the 'action?' It's all double dutch to me *laughs* I think playing tennis everyday helps
I hope your Christmas is proving to be a wonderful one Dusk, with as much joy and love within it's days as you can enjoy and relish ...
Lotsa love
Lilla...
From The Home Front
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Ah how cool, D, thanks for the tip.. most people just don't think about these things...
Rain barrells save so much water. We put in a small rainwater tank (for drinking), about two years ago and it is amazing how much our water bills have dropped. We never pay excess rates anymore ... and filtered through charcoal and rocks in this device we bought - which also chills it on one side and heats it on the other ... it tastes as sweet and clean as heaven. Honestly, it makes me feel like I am flying at 40 thousand feet... it is so pure and full of life force... mmm. Now if I drink tap water I get stomach cramps and the flouride makes me physically ill; suggesting perhaps that third world countries (when aided through places like Lifestraw), end up with better quality water than us...*laughs* wouldn't surprise me at all, since flouride was first added to water by the Nazi prison camps, to subdue the prisoners, because it has a quietning (dumbing down) affect on the human nervous system.
But I won't get on my soap box, because it's Christmas ... *laughs* and, I hope your Christmas is also Merry, D and filled with love, laughter and sunshine!
Thanks for stopping by...
Lilla ...
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
Such brilliant post you've got there, as always! ^_^
This year has been really busy for me, from one presentation to another (see the latest Indescribable - Christmas Presentation pictures my church have here) and I didn't really go shopping for specific presents for specific persons. Most of them are generic yet personal.
My motto this year for Christmas presents were:
1. Handmade or low packaging presents
2. Things that either used or eaten.
3. Recycled wrappings
It all started with handmade booklets with printed papers, ribbons and just 2 slices of cards. (Oh by the way, your Christmas present (from recycle papers) booklet is on its way and I do hope that it will reach your home.)
The booklets goes to my 20 choir members whom have helped me through my hard times in 2007.
Next were CDs, I searched and picked the nicest songs that I feel right for Christmas and asked my friend (who owns a music store) to help me prepare them. Then I searched for no-longer-used plastic CD covers from my software rack in the office and put the custom burned CDs in. (This will cost less since I don't need CD boxes from my friend)
Third are chocolates and candy canes. I manage to get some good deals from the supermarket to get bags of cadbury, hershies and famous amos for my colleagues. Chocolate is still the best de-stress food you can ever have!
For the wrappings I used my office's wrongly printed floor plans as wrappers as the lines can be quite nice when you reprint a few layers of lines at the top.
(I'll be weird if you see a toilet bowl on your wrapper, right?)
I also searched through my entire room for leftover wrappers and ribbons to pack up the chocolates and other presents.
At the end of the day, I only truly spend on chocolates, new wrappers (after I ran out of old ones), ribbons (for the booklets), candy canes (before I found the recipe) and a few more usable presents for family.
I even broke my own annual tradition - sending Christmas cards to all friends, with a substitution of Virtual e-cards and SMS.
That's the most I try to be as eco-friendly as possible. I still have a few more unused Christmas cards and some old ones that I can reuse as postcards next year. ^_^
Hope that you have fully recovered and enjoying a great Christmas and welcoming the 2008 with your love ones
Hugs and have a blessed day
Jessicca
From The Home Front
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Firstly let me thank you for your wonderful thoughtfulness this Christmas – all round!
Secondly, WOWIE! That presentation is awesome. The makeup of the natural elements is divinely inspired. (I particularly like 'water.') ... Did you play a part in the play, if so, which part? Oh I wish this could come to Australia, it would be great to watch. I love the lighting for “In the Beginning” – wow. Thanks for sharing it Jessica.
My booklet hasn’t arrived yet, but it is early days and the post office is closed more than open during the period between Christmas Day and New Years. Please don’t worry, I will PM you when it arrives, and again (in advance) thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It sounds like all your friends and family are the ones blessed by having you as a relative and friend and I hope you received as many (if not more) loving gifts than you gave, Jessica…
It has been a wonderful Christmas here in SE Qld… with nice cool temperatures due to thick cloud cover and lots and lots of rain. It would seem that my newly developed skills of rain dancing, worked this year? *laughs* why not, weirder things have happened…
We haven’t tried the Candy cane recipe yet, but will get into it tomorrow morning hopefully. Due to the rainy days, and some really nifty little eco-friendly-storage devices that were given as Christmas presents, we all ended up rearranging bedrooms and giving them a general spring clean – getting all the desks and creative clutter into a semblance of order ready for the new school year .. It’s been so much fun for all of us.
The teenagers room today, so it should be doubly rewarding, its an absolute mess! She has decided it is time to pack up all the soft toys. They are going into the roof for storage… (for grandchildren)…*laughs* My baby has all grown up.
Have a Wonderful New Year, Jessica.
I hope it is filled with all the prosperity, abundance and joy life can offer you.
Lotsa love
Lilla …
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
Oh I DO hope that the postman will deliver the little booklet safely to your post box.
I am part of the choir. The ones in the greys. We were supposed to be part of the galaxy so our faces are painted in white around our eyes with loads of silver glitters.
Very hard to clean up at the end of the day.
We hope that one day our music ministry will be as good as Hillsong and travel to Australia. In the mean time we just do our best and see what we will be led towards.
See you around in 2008!
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Wonderful post as usual (even when you are unwell? ) You are also a blogging warrior!
To answer this question:
If you have time, let me know what your most eco friendly gift has been this year, I’m curious.
This year I Frankensteined new jewelry from older unworn items in my wardrobe. They were wrapped in paper from Christmas past. The men in my life received consumable items. My uncle has a still and brews his own. (HAHAHAHA...think bootlegger)
Anyhoo
Hope you are feeling better!
mis
From The Home Front
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A woman unto my own heart. I make [and re-make] a lot of jewellery with my girls. We ‘borrowed’ my husband’s pliers and invested in a few crimpers and other ‘joining’ devices… that sounds so cool and I bet the 'new' pieces are really chic!
HAHAHAHA your uncle reminds me of my own distant family, back in Europe… they will also be sure to have a very M<erry N,ew Yaer <<hic>> … and the added bonus is that that stuff can strip paint too *laughs* or light the Olympic torch (not to mention creating BIG kidney stones)...but they do persist.
*giggles*
Thanks Mis, feeling much better after a short break from blogging too... but mostly not having to visit those bloomin’ ‘malls’ has allowed the batteries to recharge (most of all).
Have a really Happy New Year (both solar and lunar) whatever you get up to …
CHEERS!
Lilla …