Mr Skill

Glitzy commercial Christmas produces mounds of extra garbage every year, and the bigger establishments and City authorities have to get additional cleaner quotes to dispose of it. Fortunately, for those with a green conscience, there are things that we can do as individuals to spare Mother Nature at least a little of her Christmas pain.

o Give eco-friendly gifts. Start with the packaging in which they come wrapped – this should come from recycled paper. If it is not, perhaps you could think again. Are the contents made from plastic, in other words from oil by-products? If so, then these could take a thousand years to decompose on a landfill site when no longer wanted, which is bad news. When you shop like this, you strike a small but significant blow for a healthier tomorrow.

o Buy an eco-friendly Christmas tree either made from recycled paper or growing in a pot. Avoid a live or decapitated pine tree at all costs, because these consume huge amounts of water for little long-term benefit. Decorate your Christmas tree with ornaments made by local or rural communities, not in huge factories pumping out pollution in sweatshops.

o Create your own Christmas Cards from recycled ones, or buy cards sold in support of local charities. If your recipients are computer literate, then why not send e-cards instead, and donate the savings to a worthy cause. When you set your Christmas table, have a mind for our poor Planet too. Candles should be soy based (not paraffin based) and everything from the Christmas Turkey to the Peas should be organic too.

When you celebrate Christmas naturally like this, you not only give a great gift to future generations. There will also be one less need to find a cleaner the following day, and housekeepers in London can have the day off too.