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MISSION THREE: Dreaming of a green Christmas
In my teens I wore long floaty skirts, let my hair grow down to my bum, and I had a collection of thirty or so 'Ban the Bomb' badges which I would wear all at the same time.
Now I have a full time job, I realise I'm not as holy as I thought I was!
Over the years I've bought a car (I was still going to walk to the local shop, take the bus into town), a house (I was going to buy draught excluders, insulate the roof) and a dishwasher (I was going to hand wash water glasses and toast-plates myself).
In September of this year I set myself the personal challenge to 'Go Green'. Each month presents a new task, which I report back on through this column
This month's theme is 'A Green Christmas'.
Cards, packaging and presents. What a hugely wasteful time of year. This is how I'm handling it:
Cards
If I can't find the time to phone, speak or write an email to you then you're off my list. I've probably been sending cards to you every year just so you'll send one back to me.
In practice:
I had to send cards to Great Aunty Jean and Second Cousin John to keep the peace, and I wanted to send cards to a couple of old friends who I wish I could see more often. I'm also giving a card to my husband because he's in trouble if he doesn't give me one!
Packaging
Use less of it.
In Practice
My presents are already wrapped, many in last year's Christmas paper. I haven't added bows or ribbons this year.
Presents
I promise I won't buy last minute guilt presents for neighbours, distant relatives and my husband.
In Practice
So far I've held out on buying gifts for the neighbours. If they do bring a gift I'll just grab a bottle of wine from the rack. Good excuse to keep a couple of bottles handy.
For my twelve young cousins, I've bought gifts from school ftes and carboot sales throughout the year. They're recycled, thoughtful and it hasn't cost more than 3!
As for the husband, I haven't got him any extra bits on top of his main present. He knows I'm trying to have a greener Christmas, so he says he hasn't got me anything extra either. I suspect we will both rush out on the 24th to but last minutes extras (just in case).
So, earn your present under the tree this year by doing just one thing to reduce your Christmas waste. Send one less card, buy a second hand gift (don't be a snob!), or avoid bows and ribbons. It won't stop global warming in its tracks, but it's a fact that Britain is running out of landfill space, and we can do something about that.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
