Aquarium staff member Natasha Townsend recently made a few green resolutions for the festive season: “I didn’t realise wrapping paper was non-recyclable until I watched the film Garbage. I chatted to my son Morgan last night and this year we are making our own wrapping paper by decorating it with potato shapes, using old fabrics and by decorating newspaper. Instead of sticky tape we will be tying up and double folding.
“I will also be sending an email to all the family (scary thought – we’ll be 22 on Christmas Day, and that’s a lot of paper) to request that they use green, alternative methods of gift wrapping this year. I will also be putting a post on my Facebook page so hopefully these thoughts will register with some of my friends.”
Inspired by Natasha’s resolutions, we decided to develop 12 ideas how we can all give Mother Earth a break and give a green Christmas gift this year.
1 Give an experience instead of a material possession. Memories are often the most valuable keepsakes we have.
- Aquarium membership is now available online – at a discounted price!
- Aquarium tickets are also cheaper online – skip the season rush at the ticket office to visit the fish.
- Our Penguin Encounter is a very special, up close and personal experience and a wonderful early Christmas gift for those who love connecting with nature.
- You may also want to donate money to a worthy cause on behalf of someone, or even better, give your time as a gift.
2 Buy local and support community markets, where you’ll find handcrafted gifts for everyone.
3 Give a gift that will be remembered long after the Christmas lunch has been forgotten: Open a bank account for a child.
4 Include rechargeable batteries for battery-operated toys.
5 Include some energy-saving devices in your (recycled) gift bags.
6 Reuse ribbons, gift bags, wrapping paper and cards. Alternatively, make your own wrapping paper by embellishing brown paper or newspaper.
7 Even better: Send e-cards rather than paper cards.
8 First prize: Add the personal touch and make or bake your presents this year.
9 Give indigenous plants as presents.
10 This year, decorate an indigenous tree as your Christmas tree. Once all the decorations have been packed away, plant the tree in your garden or donate it to a school or tree-planting initiative like Greenpop.
11 Hang LED Christmas lights as they use 10% less power than conventional strings of lights.
12 Prepare your festive meal with local organic produce and toast family and friends with organic wine.
