Eco sensitive Festivities

Eco sensitive Festivities
Dr. Bina Thomas ( binatho@gmail.com )

As Climate Change becomes an issue of increasing concern day by day, environmentalists all over the world are doing their bit to save the globe from its disastrous effects. The efforts include not just making policy changes at national and international levels, but also encouraging people, you and me, to be eco sensitive in their daily lives; and particularly during festive seasons like Christmas time!

A time when people spend a lot of money to buy, buy, and buy more gifts for themselves and others. We could restrain our consumerist tendencies and instead of going the `Have Money Will Spend’ way, we could spend or donate for a worthy cause or to the needy.

We could opt to be eco-sensitive while selecting gifts. Like for instance, avoid buying not just toxic and harmful toys for kids, but also battery operated toys. We could think of gifting organic stuff like fruit hampers of exotic or indigenous fruits or vegetables. Or even of local style preserves or bakery goodies. But do taste the food items before deciding to gift the product to others!! Potted plants are charming gifts too. And pets are simply adorable, for someone who can really care for them.

The Bangkok local markets like Jatujak are flooded with eco sensitive items that make for really nice gifts. These include fantastic artifacts, curios, bouquets of artistically arranged dry flowers, decorative lights, vases, trays, mats, vessels, and a host of other gift articles made of fruit kernels and other organic material. Buying these unique items also supports the host of cottage industries involved in its making.

Reducing the amount of wrapping and packaging is another great contribution towards being eco-sensitive. Gift wrapping, most often get ripped open and dumped without even a moments thought given to how pretty, elaborate, or expensive it looks. But if you do receive wrapped gifts, then unwrap carefully and save the pretty paper. You can make interesting trinkets for the Christmas tree with these beautiful sheets!! How? Cut the thick card paper from old greeting cards into interesting shapes and paste the glossy wrapping paper over it. Pierce a tiny hole to pass a string. One could recycle bright and pretty cloth pieces in the same way. And yes, reuse Christmas trees too!! You don’t have to buy a new one every year.

Wrapping paper can also be reused to make interesting festoons! Just crumple, bunch, or pleat them. Or cut them into tiny bits and use them as shiny confetti’s!! The idea is to get as creative as possible. Not only does it help replace non biodegradable festive decorations of glass, thermocole, and plastic, but it is also a great activity to engage children with.

And lastly, Mall hopping in Bangkok can be good fun by public transport like the BTS. Lets do our little bit to reduce carbon emissions. Every happening mall is connected with a station. Just hop off the train and stroll into a mall!! Happy Christmas.