A guide to tree-ting this season right (filled with history, controversies, and more!)
It has begun. Everyone has simultaneously agreed, as if some telepathic phenomenon has occurred, and set out to accomplish one thing. 98.1 CHFI has Toronto’s Christmas Music Station; stores have transformed to fit consumer holiday needs; Canada’s Wonderland has created Winterfest; and so on.
However, the question comes to mind: are you completely prepared for the holiday season? If you answered no, read this guide! If you answered yes, read this guide!
ReSPECT; don’t ReGIFT!
Regifting- although harmless when done thoughtfully- requires careful attention and etiquette. There are certain rules one must pay heed to when committing such an act. Firstly, never regift anything meaningful or handmade. Doing this will transform you into a Grinch! Secondly, regift outside of your circle of friends. This avoids awkward tension and does not hurt the original gift-giver. Thirdly, regift thoughtfully. For example, you would not regift a Crock-Pot to your 7-year old brother; you would give it to your mom who is in need of one.
“When in doubt, regift to charity.” This saying avoids many conflicts and is a solution towards a greater good. Simply storing the gift or throwing it away because you got the Crock-Pot 99 instead of Crock-Pot 100, wastes many resources, time, and energy.
Bake with a Canine Twist!
What’s that I smell in your oven? Dog cookies! They are the motive this season. The world wide web consists of numerous recipes that you can follow to bake such lovely treats. Please note that chocolate is a dog no-no!
Controversy: Real or Fake?
It has been debated out for an undocumented amount of time: should one buy real or artificial Christmas trees? Firstly, if you have purchased an artificial tree, reuse it for a long time to make it environmentally-friendly. You would have to use it for more than 20 years to make it a more eco-friendly option. Real trees, however, have surprising benefits to them. Christmas tree farms serve as a habitat for local wildlife, giving a home to many species. Around 350 million trees are grown on these farms, with 30 million being harvested. In the industry continuum, these farms appear on the low end. However, it is critical to compost or recycle your tree properly. If you’re feeling extra spicy, offer your tree to mulching and chipping programs, which help grow more species for one’s garden. To conclude this controversy, buy a real, locally-grown tree. This also allows you to experience the process of picking the right one.
Image Source: "Reindeer and sleigh - Orphanage Road, Erdington" by ell brown is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0