“I’m dreaming of a green Christmas. By making memories, not waste… May you reunite with loved ones face to face. And may your holidays be joyful and safe…”
“How can you enjoy a green Christmas?” It’s a question I’ve been asked, and something I’ve contemplated many times over the years. I’m a bit loath to sound like I have all the answers, or like I am perfect, as I am far from it. I also have children who are tempted by things they see on the internet and in their friends’ hands and it’s a tricky balance of teaching them important values while not making them feel like they’re missing out on anything. And of course, I don’t want my kids feeling guilt for our waste and plastic pollution problems even if I do wish for them a sense of responsibility.
Christmas decorations
I haven’t had a traditional (real or fake) tree in over ten years. Every year, we have something against the wall. It’s been the annoying cut down bits of bamboo encroaching on my yard from my neighbour’s property. It’s been random sticks from pruning, too. I’ve even just pinned our fairy lights directly to the wall in a ‘tree’ shape! Not a bad idea for space saving, too. I don’t have to contend with the decision to cut a tree down, or get plastic that deteriorates into smaller pieces.
Homemade decorations around the house are also lovely. I really love fresh flowers and have been known to gather from beyond my own garden, thanks to parents and proud groundskeeping at my job. My clever friend is also teaching us how to make these lovely wreaths from dried flowers that can totally be Christmassy but are even better than fresh flowers because they last so much longer and after December, they’re just pretty decor!
Gifts in a pinch?
When I was a young adult just beginning to earn money with teen-aged brothers, I did voucher books. It was good to be able to spoil my well deserving brothers but spread the cost over the year. Ideas were birthday dinner outings, driving lessons, driver licence fees paid, and a trip to Waiheke. Vouchers had us doing lots of fun things like learning how to play pool, going ten pin bowling and covering things like fees and gear for all the sports they played.
I’ve done the same thing for my own kids. They’ve been able to redeem play dates and beach trips. Choose a friend to hang out at the pools, and choose an after school treat every Friday for a month. Pick a recipe online to try for dinner. I’ve even given them veto vouchers for chores! They took great pleasure in racing to their rooms and pushing the voucher into my hands with a “bam!”
For those with a bit more time
In the past, I’ve been lucky to score large jars from second hand shops. These are such great gift ‘packets’. Yes, you can bake and put cookies or fudge in them, but I’ve put ‘recipes’ for brownies and slices in mine. I’ve never considered myself very creative but I can bake and this allows your loved one to make something well after holidays have passed, when all the treats are well and truly gone.
Measure out and then layer your ingredients neatly. Opt for raw or brown sugar over caster for contrast, use choc chips, nuts to make it all pretty. A homemade tag of card with simple instructions tied around the mouth of the jar with some string and it’s ready to gift. You may need to test it out to make sure it all fits. If there’s space at the top, throw in some cranberries or add extra chocolate or nuts. (Psst: these also sell like crazy at our school galas!)
There’s actually many good sources for gift ideas and this is a really good one. Anything homemade is really, really special and if your whānau can take part in it, it will be even more meaningful and a lot of fun!
Whanau Time!
On that thing called meaningful and fun activities with whānau, I can say that it has not been an easy year. I live a block away from my parent’s house where my brother also lives and didn’t see them for three months. I’ve seen my mokopuna just twice. There really is nothing more I want to do than see everyone and spend lots of time together. The theme this year is definitely presence, not presents and I’m sure many will be feeling the same.
It’s going to be so important for our holistic wellness to reconnect with each other and while we will need a minute to adjust to being in busy and fast moving crowds, many of us will be yearning for it. I’ve decided to spend the Summer having experiences. My little granddaughter is only two, and most of her life has been in lockdown or some variety of restrictions. These holidays I will be making sure she knows us very well, feels confident in water and around other children.
On Christmas Day, I will make all my Nana’s Cook Island dishes, and play Raro music and remember when I did it in her kitchen, by her side. I’ll put an ei katu (headdress) on my head and we’ll make our way over to the house my dad and my siblings and I all grew up in. The house I have spent most of my Christmas Days at. After a feed, I may need a nap under the plum tree while a game of soccer or basketball takes place. We’ll bring out the games and try very hard to be the best at Pictionary or Charades or Heads Up. When I think of Christmas and Summer holidays, this is what I picture. Joy on my kids’ faces, which triggers the memory of my own joy. I can do without all the unnecessary frills, waste and expense taking up precious space in our lives.
Make memories, not waste. Happy holidays!
Call on the NZ Government to ban unnecessary single-use plastic bottles* in NZ, and to incentivise reusable and refillable alternatives.
