GREEN CHRISTMAS: Little Changes That Bring Joy

Have you ever felt that Christmas is a mad merry-go-round of consumerism? This attractive chunky book suggests ways of keeping the true Christmas spirit alive while avoiding too much waste and wasted time. If you have been looking for a greener way to celebrate, start here. A treasure trove for low-waste Christmas parties, festive outfits and sustainable fun. The author suggests that you take a deep breath and write down the memories of the most magical Christmases you've had and what they have meant to you. Then focus on these in your celebrations, avoiding the things you don't like. Using a planner and budgeting carefully will take away a lot of the anxiety. Marking the Winter Solstice with candlelight is a good way of reconnecting with nature on 21 December, the shortest day, anticipating the return of light and sunshine to the world. Advent calendars can be re-used rather than thrown away, or you could make your own with brown envelopes and numbers. Create your own Christmas cards, or buy them from a company that plants a tree for every card sold. Choosing gifts takes time, and if you get something the person really appreciates it needn't cost a lot of money. If you haven't got space for a tree or want an eco-alternative, try getting a birch or other evergreen branch and fixing it upright in a pot, decorating it the usual way. When it comes to eating and drinking, there are recipes here for Hedgerow Sloe Gin and Boxing Day Bubble and Squeak. 200pp, colour decoration.