Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Green Gifts For Christmas - Giving Green Christmas Gifts Doesn't Mean Hand Knits And Nut Roast!

Thinking about green gifts for Christmas might bring up a lot of unfashionable images of thick wool sweaters and Wellington boots, but the fact is there's a huge choice of interesting, inventive and fun green Christmas gifts if you give it a bit of thought.

Actually I like a nice thick sweater to keep me warm in the winter, I've been getting one from my mother for years and long may it continue. That's not really the point I'm trying to make here though. Not only are there plenty of interesting choices, but it must also depend on what you consider a green Christmas gift anyway.

Christmas Gift

You could say anything to do with the outdoors qualifies. If you inspire someone to grow their own vegetables by giving them seed and trowel, isn't that a green gift? If you give a child a bicycle so they get exercise rather than sitting in front of the TV, I would say that qualifies. Actually, if you give an adult a bicycle so they don't take the car everywhere, that certainly qualifies!

But in case you think I'm being a bit flippant here, let's look at a few alternatives across different price ranges. I saw a clock the other day that was powered not by batteries or electricity but by water. The clock itself could be recycled at the end of its useful life. Since Trevor Bayliss brought us the wind-up radio a few years ago - intended for remote places in the world where there was no electricity - we now have numerous wind up torches, lanterns, battery chargers, radios and combinations of those things. There are solar-powered chargers for your phone, iPod, iPad or other device - that's a green gift for Christmas that works hand-in-hand with modern technology.

For the kids there are toys made from recycled or recyclable materials. What about a worm farm? Then there are lots of things to attract wildlife into your garden or to encourage an interest in plants and animals - and they certainly aren't dull, boring, or the sort of thing that's played with until the batteries run out and then forgotten.

For grown-ups there are no end of Fair Trade food products. There are candles, soaps and scents. There are subscriptions to events or wildlife organizations that people are into (or you think they ought to get into). There's solar garden lighting and power for water features. Then there are slightly off-beat things like newspaper presses - a cheap and simple gadget that compresses old newspapers into 'bricks" that burn much better and much longer than the paper would on its own. The list goes on...

If you're looking for green gifts for Christmas you are spoiled for choice. There's something for all ages and tastes and these days, thanks to the internet, they aren't even difficult to find. Have a great Christmas, and don't forget to recycle the packaging after!

Green Gifts For Christmas - Giving Green Christmas Gifts Doesn't Mean Hand Knits And Nut Roast!

Christmas - Unique Traditions in Bavaria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Brazil!

Christmas is celebrated with unique and unusual traditions, foods and customs in many countries. Here are some fascinating insights and traditions shared from Bavaria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Brazil.

Bavaria - Star Singers - As part of the Christmas celebrations in Bavaria, children dress up as The Three Kings and carry an imitation star on a pole. From New Year's day to January 6th children travel from house to house and sing religious songs. The children are referred to as "Star Singers". Children are rewarded with money or sweets. If given sweets they may eat them. If given money it is given to a Catholic church or to a charity. As the children depart they put a chalk mark "C.M.B" on houses they have visited. This is sometimes taken as a reference to The Three Kings (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) while others believe it may originally have represented the words "Christus mansionem benedicat" meaning "Christ bless this house".

Christmas Eve

Belgium - Belgium enjoys two Santa Claus figures. There is St. Nicholas (who visits those who speak the Waloon language) and Pere Noel (who visits those who speak French) and is accompanied by his companion Pere Fouettard. The first visit is on 4th December when he checks to see if children have been good or bad. He returns on December 6th (the feast of St Nicholas) with presents (usually candy or toys) for the good children and twigs left inside shoes or in a small basket left inside the doorway for the bad children. A tradition continues in small villages where three local men are chosen to portray "The Three Kings". They move from house to house singing carols on January 6th. The Three Kings are joyously welcomed and rewarded with gifts of food or small treats. Families enjoy a Christmas Eve meal of Aarappel Kroketjes consisting of fried potato croquettes and Speculoos, cookies made with cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

Brazil - It is very hot in Brazil at Christmas and so their Santa type character called Papai Noel (Father Noel) is the gift bringer who wears light red silks. According to legend he lives in Greenland. It is believed this character was imported from and developed into their own from North America in the 50's and became popular because of the commercial appeal in the late 60's and 70's. A Christmas December tradition for family and friends to share is called "Secret Friend" (amigo secreto). Participants at the beginning of December write their name on a piece of paper. Each participant takes a paper (but does not reveal the name of the person on it). Over the month there is communication between picked partners who use fake names "apelidos" during correspondence for added fun. Then at Christmas, family and friends gather to reveal their secret friends and exchange a present or gift between chosen secret friends. Christmas dinner includes turkey, ham, colored rice with lots of fresh vegetable and fruit dishes. The most popular song in Brazil associated with Christmas is "Noite Feliz" (Silent Night).
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Bulgaria - A main tradition is "sooroovachka" whereby children with a specially prepared handmade patting stick, pat family, friends and visitors Christmas Eve whilst saying a wish for health, wealth and happiness to the one patted. Bulgarian's give the child money at the end of the patting which they believe is their way of buying success for the coming year. Another tradition is where homemade bread has a coin added before baking. When Christmas dinner begins the oldest person breaks the bread and gives a piece to everyone. The one who gets the coin is believed to be bestowed with wealth and prosperity in the new year.

The main celebration meal is held Christmas Eve at the home of the oldest grandparent. Hey is placed under the dinner table in respect of and to remind the family of the manger. The Christmas Eve dinner table which consists of 7-11 dishes, is not cleared until the next morning. This is a tradition which they believe will ensure there will be plenty of food for the coming year!

Christmas - Unique Traditions in Bavaria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Brazil!