Everything we do leaves a footprint on the earth; it’s our responsibility to minimise our impact, to do our part to preserve the natural beauty of our world. 

Fortunately, kids are so much more in tune with sustainability and environmental protection these days than we ever were growing up. 

For our family, It starts with scrutinising our habits around consumption. Determining what we need, and what we value. Teaching the kids to recognise and respect quality. To learn the tricks of consumerism and fast fashion. To re-use, recycle and make do. This is a huge topic and there is so much more we could be doing, but here’s just a couple of rules we are trying to live by this Christmas;

• No more Christmas stockings -we’ve given this tradition up for the last few years. The notion of ‘stocking stuffers’ generally suggests cheap plastic trinkets and other senseless things that 9 times out of 10 will end up in landfill within the week. All that waste for 5 minutes of entertainment is just not okay! We respectfully avoid party bags throughout the year too for the same reason. 
• To gift to our children, we employ the motto ‘Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read’. For the wider family, this year we are doing eco presents for just one person, Secret Santa style; encouraging hand making gifts, upcycling, buying second hand, and gifting experiences. 
• To shift the focus toward making memories and traditions (and away from ‘getting stuff’), we are going to start a family talent show on Christmas Day this year! After a couple of festive champers, what could possibly go wrong?!