THE HOLIDAYS can be a rather hectic time. Much of our time is taken up with shopping which not only wears us out, but also our pockets! It is possible to enjoy this time by focusing more on the creative thought and less on getting those perfect gifts! Having a “green” or eco-friendly theme is one way to be unique in your gift and holiday celebrations giving this year. Essential to adhering to the “green” theme is to simplify. No doubt our holiday celebrations hold a meaning for us, whether it is religious, family or personal tradition. To get the best out of efforts we could simply prioritise what is most important to us and focus our efforts on accomplishing these things rather than the whole gamut of things that are not necessarily significant to us. The best thing about having an eco-friendly holiday is that we do not have to sacrifice enjoyment to be kind to the environment.
Greening your holidays should not only positively impact the environment, but also your experiences. By simplifying our plans, we are better able to slow down, relax and enjoy our loved ones and our celebrations.
Here are some simple activities that can give you a “greener” holiday:• Attend a New Year’s Eve service at your church as a family, or light a peace candle and place it in the window at sundown. Remember that the ceremony is as important as the candle, so ensure the lighting is done with meaning and significance.
• Work on creating a family tree together. Each year, get together and research a generation of your family tree. You might create a scrapbook for this purpose, making sure to include funny, old family stories. Read favourite past stories to youngsters and new members of the family.
• Redistribute the wealth together – if your family can afford to somehow help another family who is less well-off, get together and figure out the best way to help. Could you give the other family much-needed gifts? Invite them over for dinner? Help someone with their schoolwork? Babysit their children so the adults can have a night out together? Be creative – it does not have to be expensive, and it should not make anyone feel uncomfortable.• Play games together – take out fun, family – oriented board games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders and card games. Then spend the evening drinking ginger beer, eating pepper pot and playing games!
• Sit together and take turns reading a book. It can be a Christmas story or a favourite family story, or a new book each year.
• Have a “green” theme for gifts this holiday and give plants and items made from recycled materials for gifts.
• Enjoy nature with people who are important, e.g. relax near the sea or river; visit the zoo and botanical gardens etc. • Reflect on the past year and make plans for the New Year together. What would you have done differently if you could? What will you change about yourself and your work as you move forward into the New Year? What goals did you reach this past year, and what will you strive to reach in the coming year? How can you support one another to reach these new goals? Bear in mind you may not be able to make sweeping changes in one season. Decide what to tackle first: one big thing or several little things. Set a goal and do what you can.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com