Waste-Free Christmas Wrapping

Guest Blog

Green Okanagan | December 13, 2019

The holidays are a joyful time of year to spend with family, friends, and enjoying one another's company. To show your appreciation, it's natural to want to give presents to your loved ones. This holiday season we invite you to consider greener gifting options like doing an activity together or DIYing a present. For those following a wish-list, you can still reduce your gift-giving impact by wrapping your presents in a way that is sustainable!

As most wrapping paper is a combination of plastic, paper, and sometimes foil all mixed together, it makes it difficult to separate during the recycling process. Don't worry - you can still show people you care while caring for the planet too!

PAPER

Paper is a simple and effective option for wrapping gifts in a way that is environmentally mindful. Being 100% recyclable, paper can be placed into regular curb-side collection for proper disposal. Personalize the packaging using homemade stamps or messaging.

• Newspaper

• Brown Kraft Paper

To secure paper in place, use washi tape, a plastic-free alternative and typically derived from bamboo or hemp.

REUSABLE BAG OR BOX

Give your friends and family the gift of reusing! Boxes have many great uses, like storing items in your home or they can be re-used and gifted to someone else in the future. Tote and cloth bags also make for a fun and uniquely-wrapped gift that can be reused for shopping, groceries and produce, bulk buys or snacks on-the-go. See some of our favourite locally-made reusable bags below:

• The Market Bags - Upcycled Cotton Produce + Snack Bags - https://themarketbags.ca

• EverPresent Giving - Handcrafted Gift Bags - https://www.everpresentgiving.com

• Okanagan Lifestyle - Tote Bag - https://www.okanaganlifestyle.ca

CLOTH

For wrapping without paper you can explore the Furoshiki technique, using cloth to bundle gifts. Preloved material, an old bandana or other fabric cloth will do the trick!

JAR

If secrecy for the gift isn't a concern, consider upcycling a container or jar to enclose your present. The simplicity of a jar offers a minimalist approach to wrapping, while giving the gift of reuse!

ACCESSORIES

To finish off your wrapping, you can spruce up the look by adding a few accessories! Here are our sustainable suggestions:

• Twine + string

• Burlap

• Greenery

• Pinecones

• Cinnamon Sticks

• Dried Orange Slices - learn how to make them here!

• Lace

• Wooden Buttons

This holiday season, we encourage you to indulge in giving the gift of green! Use these sustainable alternatives to minimize your wrapping waste and to inspire others to do the same.

For more eco-friendly holiday fun, check out our blogs that explore Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees, Green Gifting, and hosting a Low-Waste Party.

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43 Experiences to give as Christmas Gifts

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IN PAID PARTNERSHIPS

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Christmas-shopping season is upon us! And We challenge You to not buy a heaping pile of stuff that will make a short journey to the dumpster.

Consider:

• how much packaging an item comes in.

• say NO to the plastic bag!

• quality… will this thing break right away?

• appreciation… will they even like or use this?

• wrapping… how about a nice towel, re-usable bag or compostable paper?

Here are some awesome ideas to help you win at gifting this Christmas with amazing Okanagan experiences!

💡 Make a fun little booklet for 2023 experiences or buy enough for you to enjoy together.

And hey! If tickets or passes aren’t available before Christmas, you can always make a DIY version and then purchase them later.

1. Winter Wine Tour with Sip Happens (19+)

2. Goddess photo shoot with Vixen Studios

3. In-home personal Chef service from Chez You

4. Professional Home Organization with Organize My Space

5. Gift certificate at Kelowna Comedy Lounge (19+)

6. Tickets for Fireside Music Festival (19+)

7. Make your own silk scarf with Colour Drop Design

8. Splashdown Waterslide passes with VIP cabana (kiddos + youth)

9. Gift certificate for a Nice Restaurant

10. Tickets for Amuse food tasting event (19+)

11. Subscription to Ballet Kelowna

12. Tickets for the Great Okanagan Beer Festival (19+)

13. Dance workshop with The Kore Dance Project

14. Indoor Rock Climbing passes

15. Gift certificate for EnergyPlax (kiddos + youth)

16. Tickets for Armstrong Metal Festival

17. Tickets for Ososyoos Oyster Festival (19+)

18. Gift certificate for the Armstrong Tulip Festival

19. Tickets to an upcoming event

20. Gift certificate for their favourite Golf Course

21. Tickets for Altitunes Music Festival (19+)

22. Gift certificate for Don-O-Ray Farms (kiddos)

23. Escape Room passes

24. Tickets for Dinner en Blanc (19+)

25. Gift Certificate for a massage

26. Hockey tickets for the Kelowna Rockets

27. Zipzone ziplining adventure

28. Ski Hill passes

29. Indoor Pool passes

30. Season Tickets for the Kelowna Falcons Baseball

31. Bowling passes

32. Skydive Okanagan jump

33. Membership to the Okanagan Science Centre

34. Movie Theatre passes

35. Voice lessons with Vita Artes

36. Gift certificate for Airhouse trampoline centre

37. Classes at a Pottery Studio

38. Yoga Membership

39. Tickets to Okanagan Symphony

40. Cooking classes at The Okanagan Table

41. Gift Certificate to stay at Sparkling Hills (19+)

42. Gift Certificate for the Davison Orchards tractor train (kiddos)

43. Private Whiskey experience at Okanagan Spirits

Okanagan Amazon

2020. It’s been a weird ride, right?! The Holidays are definitely different this year. No large gatherings, no Christmas parties… if you were planning to lick someone’s turkey, don’t do that either. Online shopping has hit an all time high this year AND especially this Holiday season. It’s just over a week until Christmas (my kids have informed me it’s precisely 9 days until the big day), so it’s finally the time for all that fun (read: frantic) last minute shopping that sneaks up on us every. single. year.

Shopping local is ALWAYS important. But it’s been a particularly hot topic since March because it shifted in a hurry (practically overnight)! Supporting local from home hasn’t been an easy task to navigate and our small local business have struggled in the wake of the big C-word. But have no fear! Okazon is here!

Reasons to Shop Local:

1. You’re keeping money in the community.

People who own and operate their businesses here, live here IN the Okanagan. They are our neighbours and our friends. Why wouldn’t we support them, especially if they get to do something they are really good at and love?! Yes, the big box outlets employ local people but their profits are spent in other places. Local business owners tend to be some of the biggest supporters of other local products and services (and local charities), which supports and strenghtens our community. They spend their money locally. They employee local people and pay fair wages. It’s a win, win, win win, win….should I keep going?

2. You’re giving unique and quality gifts.

Do we really all want to end up with the exact same stuff in our homes? Isn’t it much more fun to have unique pieces that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in the world? The Okanagan is filled with creative makers and small boutiques loaded with things that are DIFFERENT and beautiful.

3. It’s better for the environment.

Let’s face it. The plastic stuff you get at the big box stores is not amazing quality. It has also likely been created somewhere far away by poorly treated workers, sent over on a huge boat that guzzles fuel and emits all sorts of toxins into our environment. Not to mention the endless packaging that isn’t necessary - I can’t be the only one who hates having to get into a box just so you can cut through hard plastic (which slices up your hand like a cheese grater) and unwrap 15 individual pieces. So. Much. Garbage. And then those 15 individual things break and fade in a hurry so we get to contribue those to the garbage crisis too in a short period of time.

Buying local means that your product has hardly traveled, used minimal packaging and is of a higher quality. Not only will local makers and owners thank you, the environment will thank you.

4. Supporting people doing what they love to do.

Local makers and boutique owners (+their employees) are usually masters of their craft. They do what they do because they love it. Isn’t that the dream? People who love what they do 40+ hours a week tend to be happier and have a deeper sense of fulfillment. Wouldn’t you rather share the road and grocery store line up with happy people?

Stay Home and Shop Local

Maybe you don’t want to venture out much this year, and that’s totally understandable. Masks are itchy. Luckily the Do The Okanagan team has found an amazing way to help you SUPPORT LOCAL and stay home (and let’s face it, avoid the crowds, which are never fun anyway, even at the best of times).

Dun, dun, daaaaaaa…..

Okazon Marketplace!

Okazon was born out of the desire to keep people shopping local in a simple and centralized way. Shopping on Okazon means that you can peruse a variety of products all being sold by local makers and boutique owners. You build one cart and go through one checkout. That’s right, you can choose from a variety of products offered by different LOCAL vendors and it all arrives to your door in one box!

We work with a local courier service which means… your package is delivered with extra care, by another local business, and quickly. PSSSST, get your gift orders in by midnight December 20th and we will get them to you before Christmas (within the Okanagan Valley).

Also, Okazon offers curated gift boxes. All you have to do is let us know who it’s going to, what they like or dislike (or that you have no flipin clue), and we will build the gift box for you and have it sent straight to the recipient! SO EASY.

Or if you just don’t know what they want or like AT ALL (we all know someone who is SO hard to buy for), purchase an Okazon gift card so they can order themselves something really cool. And this way, you’ve also given them the gift of something to do (aka shop from home for THEMSELVES) in January.

Whoop, whoop!

Last minute Christmas shopping just got wayyyy easier.

Merry Christmas from the team at Do The Okanagan and Okazon Market.

The Spirit of the Holiday Season Isn't Cancelled

Written by: Niki Connor: Counsellor, MACP, RPC, BA Psyc

Woah! Ok, so the 2020 Holiday Season is likely to be one that we won’t forget.

For some, there are usually traditions of big family gatherings and extravagant social events that they will be missing. For others, this time of the year can be challenging anyway. But this year for all, we are forced to explore the season in a very new, unfamiliar and different way. A lot of changes have happened since March and we are ALL finding ways to adapt. I love to see how resilient we are as people.

When I was growing up, I asked my mom the inevitable question - “Is Santa real?” Something I had to ask because some other kids at school had the NERVE to tell me that Santa wasn’t real, and it was just our parents who ate the cookies, drank the milk, and put the presents under the tree -which swayed my trust and faith.

My mom would always answer the same way - “As long as Santa is in your heart, he is real.” I like using this tried and tested parent go-to as an analogy for the 2020 Holiday Season. As long as you keep the spirit of the Holiday Season in your heart, it will be there, no matter the circumstances of the year.

It might just be a little different. Can you get on board with different? I have some suggestions for how to keep the magic alive.

1. Decorate. Decorate. Decorate.

If decorating for the holidays is typically something you you do each year, then do that. Decorate as usual, or go big and do even more this year. If decorating is something you’ve always wanted to start doing, then 2020 is the year to start doing it. I bet you even have the time for it now too.

This will provide you with a sense of accomplishment, give you that festive feeling and shift the energy in your space. All good things - who doesn’t want that festive feeling? And remember, it’s never too late to decorate. It can even be a fun Christmas Eve activity so you can enjoy it all Christmas Day.

2. Check Out Other People’s Decorations

Need something to do? In the evening, get in the car, grab a hot chocolate and drive around your community to see what other people have done to add festive spirit to their homes. Seeing Christmas lights is often very uplifting and it’s a fun and safe thing to do this year with the members of your household.

You can even get friends/family to go in their own vehicles to make a caravan adventure out of it. Walkie talkies anyone?

3. Create New Traditions

Does your usual holiday routine look like the chaos in Four Christmases or are there activities you ALWAYS do with your Aunt/Uncle/Grandparent/Friend etc? Well this year, get creative and create new memories! This also an opportunity to embrace the fact that you might not have to do all the things at once. Slow down, take your time and enjoy trying some new things this year.

4. Use The Power of Technology

Let’s all take a moment to silent thank the creators of video conference. We live during a time that being physically apart does not mean that we can’t connect. It just means we have to rely on video chats instead of in person meetings.

Maybe you make your own traditional meal while your loved ones do the same, all over video chat? You can even eat it together too. Use video chat to see your friends open their gifts or share a glass of wine together Christmas Eve. The possibilities are there, they just look a little different.

5. Plan Lots of Outdoor Activities

Go snowshoeing, skiing, walking, sledding or build a snowman.

Make it interesting by dressing up in a theme, like Ugly Christmas Sweaters or favourite Frozen character (mine is Olaf!) These are things you can still do to stay connected in meaningful ways, but not right inside someone’s bubble.

6. Bake Christmas Goodies

Maybe baking is something you already do a lot of or maybe it’s not. For me, I love baking but I often lack the time to do it, especially during this time of the year.

But not this year! This year, oddly enough, there seems to be ample time to try some of the recipes I have been eager to try. Bake away and leave some goodies on your loved one’s doorsteps to brighten their day. Nothing feels better than sharing the joy of baking at Christmas.

7. Find Ways to Spread Cheer

You guys, Buddy the Elf says that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Ok, I LOVE the movie Elf but I’m only half joking here. Finding ways to spread joy is inevitably going to bring you happiness too.

So what can you do this year that will share a little of the spirit you are feeling inside? A few ideas: handwriting holiday cards and putting them in the mailboxes of people you love or appreciate, donating to local organizations that help people in need, shovelling the driveway of your neighbour or dropping off coffee and doughnuts to a place that helped you out over the year.

There are so many ways to share and give and it will probably feel good for you too. And isn’t that what the Christmas Spirit is all about?

Some final thoughts…

Leave it to a pandemic to shake it up a bit. Listen, I know this year isn’t easy for anyone, the wave of feelings might be rather uncomfortable and these ideas might not be right for you. Please feel free to share any ideas you have or what is happening with you and your family, as many others might just benefit from what you’ve decided to incorporate in your life this holiday season!

Please share this post on Facebook and tag all the friends that might need some fun ideas to keep the spirit alive this year. Things are a little different but we can always help one another out. We’re in this together.

Happy Holidays!

Artsolutely at the Vernon Community Arts Centre

SHOP LOCAL THIS SEASON!

*From the Vernon Community Arts Press Release*

The Vernon Community Arts Centre invites you to their 15th Annual Artisan Sale, Artsolutely. Each Winter, the VCAC’s regular classes and programs are put on hold to expand their range of local art and bring you the best of what Okanagan artists have to offer.

Open 7 days a week, with extended shopping hours, there is plenty of time and space to browse and find that special something. This year you can feel assured that all protocols have been put into place to bring you a safe and socially distanced shopping experience.

As you walk through the front doors, the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg will delight the nose, music with calm the senses and you’ll quickly settle into a relaxed vibe so your eyes can feast upon an array of one-of-a-kind art. Every piece is carefully handcrafted and locally made, and each artisan is selected through a jurying process to ensure the highest quality throughout.

We have works from 35 feature artisans with pottery, paintings, glass art, metalwork, woodwork, photography, fibre arts, jewellery, natural products and more!

From the front gallery space you will be guided through three large studios of artwork, with something even more inspiring awaiting you around every turn. In each studio, an artist will be available too answer questions and help ensure a safe flow of traffic. Staff will greet you at the end to carefully package up your goodies. Our centralized payment station helps make things easy and we encourage you to use credit or debit when possible.

Shopping at Artsolutely is an opportunity to show your community spirit. You can feel good knowing that your purchases support local artists, small business, your local economy and your Vernon Community Arts Centre.

“The Arts Centre is one of Vernon’s gems. It’s more than a place to shop, and it is more than an arts education facility. It’s a community space that offers a place for people of all ages and abilities to create, play, laugh, gain skills, release stress, heal and develop friendships.”

- Sheri Kunsli, Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan

For more info, check out the link HERE.

HOURS:

Monday - Friday, 9:00AM to 7:00PM

Saturday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Sunday, noon to 4:00PM

December 24th, 9:00AM to 1:00PM

LOCATION:

The Vernon Community Arts Centre - MAP HERE