"Greening" your Xmas (& New Year!)

Also rushing around with last minute shopping? Have a look at this Urban Sprout article which gives some 'green' gift ideas. All we will add to this is: 1. Reduce the amount of junk you buy - who really wants all that gimicky stuff? Make your gifts meaningful - they don't necessarily have to be shop-bought! - e.g. what about giving fresh organic produce which you have grown in your garden? 2. PLEASE, try and buy local! Stay away from the "Made in China"s for a change! One of the most important things we as consumers can do is support local business and sustainable industries - remember, it is good for our ecomony and jobs! So, while you're out there shopping - check your labels... do some investigating and while you're at it, teach your children! and make this a new habit to take with you into the new year! 3. One other thing, don't buy gift wrapping paper! Re-use gift bags, newspaper, cardboard boxes, etc - add your own personal touch - maybe a sprig of fresh rosemary or lavender - be creative! 4. As for greeting cards, if you don't make your own, buy some from someone like Joseph Diliza - check out all the great things he makes here on his blog. [Joseph employs women in his township to help him with making items out of recycled waste and to make paper/paper products using alien reeds growing along side the rivers around Khayelitsha and Crossroads.] Oh, one more thing, 5. I found a great little shop called "In a Nutshell" at N1 City Mall and CapeGate. They sell the most wonderful locally made jams and other speciality foods. They don't yet have a website, but please do visit one of their shops (if you are in the area). 6. Capetonians, check out Capetown's Green Map for more ideas of where to buy 'green' in Cape Town. Happy 'conscious' shopping!