Christmas is coming. We want to feel like we’re part of the sustainable, clean and green in action movement. So what sort of Christmas tree should be twinkling? Leo Hickman of the Guardian asks these questions and more:
Aren’t they just a colossal waste of money? Can such a decadent waste of resources be justified in our (supposedly) eco-aware times? (Such cries have been heard for centuries Oliver Cromwell banged on about the “heathen tradition” of decorated trees, but he had his own all-together-different reasons.)
And then we buckle and relent as the children at our feet whimper and plead with us to get one. So what are the options for those of us who still want to follow this once-pagan yuletide tradition?
His options include buying a real tree (checking for sustainability, proximity and lack of herbicides); buy a plastic tree (which lasts for how many years before the children/cat/dog anihilates it’s “leafy greenness?); decorate an exisiting plant (my personal favorite – adds colour to the garden too, just don’t put the presents out unless you have trustworthy neighbours) or the “do nothing” option (not so easy for child-zoned households).
But don’t forget our own Kiwi Christmas tree, the Pohutakawa, in all this. Whether you have one of these in your garden, down the street, in the park or at the beach – do you really need anything more?
Finally if you want a lesson in why you should always be careful of leaving those glinting lights on in a tinder-dry tree watch this:
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress
