Eco-friendly workshops help reduce Christmas waste

06 Dec, 2021

A recent festive event captured the special magic and purpose of Christmas, wrapping up the gift of giving, with inspiring ways to be mindful of the environment while raising some cash for those in need.

Co-created by three of the districts community-dedicated groups - Sustainable Kaipara, Plastic Free Mangawhai and Te Whai Community Trust - the ‘Low Waste Christmas Workshop’, held in the garden of Te Whai’s office at the Rose Madsen Cottage on November 27 attracted people of all ages who were keen on reducing festive waste by designing and creating their own gifts.

Activities from flax weaving, jewellery design, making dog toys, shell mobiles and Christmas trees, painting and decorating rocks and pebbles, card design, and creating personal wrapping and gift boxes, were all on offer. Volunteers from community groups and individuals including the Monday art group, Plastic Free Mangawhai, Mangawhai Community Garden, Kylee from New Bold Designs and Ananda's Arts, lent their talented hands to lead the workshops.

Held purposely outdoors to meet Covid restrictions, the event’s Koha raised $115 to go towards the work of Plastic-Free Mangawhai and buy items for Te Whai’s Christmas Aroha Baskets.

Sustainable Kaipara co-director, Stephanie Gibson, says it was great to see so many community members come together to share their skills.

“Many people were able to make gifts while creating the opportunity to have a lower waste Christmas, which is kinder to our environment,” she says. “The highlight for me was the relaxed atmosphere and the smile on people's faces… seeing all ages come together, getting creative while helping to protect our precious environment.

“Would love for us to run more events like this. I'm so thankful for all the amazing volunteers who gave so much of their time for this event, we certainly couldn't do it without them.”

PHOTOS/FACEBOOK

------------------------