Staying off Santa’s naughty list

Decking the halls is one of many ways to embrace the Christmas spirit – and, when it comes to decorations, surely the tree is everyone’s favorite. But at the risk of sounding like the Grinch, the tree is just one of many Yuletide traditions that are terrible for the environment. So, should you opt for a real or artificial one? Most fake trees are not biodegradable and end up in landfills, where they remain long after the celebrations are over – for centuries even. As for real trees, the obvious no-no is cutting them down. The solution: If you live in cities like Los Angeles or London, some companies deliver potted trees to your home, then collect and re-plant them after Christmas.

As for good, old-fashioned Christmas cards, that eco-fail will see your name land squarely on Santa’s naughty list. America alone sends around two billion cards by post every year. While I can’t argue with the sentimental joy a handwritten note brings, imagine how many trees would be saved if everyone went digital. If you must use paper, greener brands such as Australia’s Earth Greetings or Saraswati Papers in Bali use recycled paper, while etailer Paper Culture plants a tree for every order – a full-circle moment if you bought a real tree this year.

And don’t get me started on gift-giving. The tradition is thought to hail from the Three Wise Men, who brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, but in today’s society, we’ve gone gift-crazy. Or maybe it’s just my family. In previous years, we’d gone totally overboard on presents in an attempt to show each other how much we care. This year, a friend suggested Secret Santa – the popular-in-offices lottery system that involves picking a name out of a hat and anonymously buying only that person a gift. Not only does it keep costs down, it means you have the time and energy to give real thought to what that person would like – quality over quantity.

For those Scrooges who’d prefer to hoard hundreds of presents on December 25 – and could, frankly, learn a lesson about the real Christmas spirit – let’s consider how else that festive time could be spent. If you’re in New York, the Bowery Mission and New York Rescue Mission are just two outlets that organize volunteers to serve food in soup kitchens.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, spend a few hours with Willing Hearts, who prepare and serve meals at a local shelter. In the Philippines, approach a parish and ask how you can join their outreach programs.

Wishing goodwill to all men (and women and children) doesn’t have to just be a phrase. And you don’t have to make your own decorations from newspaper or forgo the annual turkey feast in order to avoid the ethical naughty list. But a few small changes go a long way – and doing what’s best for the planet, and each other, is surely what Christmas is all about.