TinT at the Tring Christmas Festival

Tring in Transition had a stall, alongside Green Tring, at this year's Christmas Festival with a theme of "Have a green Christmas". We were based in the High Street Baptist Church Hall and had a steady flow of festive visitors all evening long. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

We featured the "12 Green Days of Christmas", with many thanks to Jan. Forget any notions about Partridges or Golden Rings.....these are 12 ideas to think about to help save the planet's natural resources – without being a Scrooge at Christmas! Click on the picture below to go to our dedicated page on these.

The short version is:

1. Choose the right wrapping paper

2. Shop local

3. Reduce food waste

4. Buy plastic free gifts

5. Switch to LED Christmas lights

6. Use "green" Christmas decorations

7. Choose the right Christmas tree

8. Try a clothes swapping App

9. Try organic wine

10. Send online e-cards

11. Buy the right crackers

12. Invest in a reusable advent calendar

You may also be interested in these article from the Carbon Trust. They are a few years old now and still absolutely valid.

• Five golden tips for a lower carbon Christmas

• The Carbon Trust's top Christmas tips

Gifts, trees and decorations...

We also had reusable gift wrappings/sacks on display as well as simple, easy to make (especially great fun with children) Christmas decorations that are easy on resources, fun, good to look at and save money! What's not to like?

Much of our stall was taken up by two Christmas trees - one plastic/artificial and the other. The answer to the question "which is most environmentally friendly" is not straightforward - although real trees are the best option if they are disposed of properly (easy to do) or perhaps potted and reused next year. We covered this topic in our last newsletter and also have a dedicated Blog article, if you'd like to learn more. Tree decorations also got our attention. Barr brought along several that are 45 years old and still going strong. They have the added value of becoming treasured possessions, with many attached memories. Worth thinking about when considering what to buy - or to make - for your own tree.

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We wish you all a very happy Christmas. Tring in Transition.