As part of our commitment to caring for creation across our whole lives in partnership with the ARocha Eco church scheme, we are encouraging everyone to seek to be a little greener this Christmas.
The most obvious thing might be to buy something second hand, or buy a locally grown Christmas tree you can plant out after Christmas and use each year, or offset the carbon created from the meals you might eat out.
We write one Christmas card per church, where everyone writes a message on one recycled card and then share it with each of our congregations.
Here are lots of other suggestions to be dreaming of a green Christmas...
The 12 Days of a Green(er) ChristmasOn the first day of ChristmasBuy a real Christmas tree from a sustainable source. After Christmas plant it, or take it to a local recycling centre
On the second day of ChristmasIf you need some new Christmas lights or electrical goods don’t bin the old ones, donate them or take them to your local recycling centre.
On the third day of ChristmasBuy recycled Christmas cards, send an e-card or make your own.
On the fourth day of ChristmasThere’s nothing worse than smiling a grateful thanks for a present you don’t really want, so give consumable presents, buy a membership or an experience day or go for a luxury meal and/or the theatre.
On the fifth day of ChristmasAre you buying presents that use batteries? If so, why not add recycled batteries and a charger?
On the sixth day of ChristmasWhen shopping use your LOAF
(Local ———————– Organic ———————– Animal friendly ———————– Fairtrade)
On the seventh day of ChristmasBuy eco-crackers or, in the best Blue Peter tradition, make your own. all you need is a few toilet tube rolls, newspaper and some small gifts people might actually want.
On the eighth day of ChristmasGo for a walk, decorate a tree for wildlife (suet balls etc), but make sure it’s where the birds can see the cat coming, or use twigs to create a 5 pointed star and find other natural things to decorate it with.
On the ninth day of ChristmasUse the wrapping paper recycling test: scrunch it up into a ball, if it stays in shape you can recycle it. Alternatively use magazine articles the recipient will enjoy reading and they get two presents for the price of one.
On the tenth day of ChristmasWhere possible freeze leftovers rather than binning them.
On the eleventh day of ChristmasHad time to read all those magazines you subscribe to over the festive period? Why not pass them on to a friend?
On the twelfth day of ChristmasMake a New Year’s Resolution to get in touch with the seasons and/or seek out local adventures. Or simply make your own eco-resolution (and keep to it!)
Jean Burrows
Hutton and Shenfield Union ChurchA Rocha UKCons