Have a Merry Sustainable Christmas!

Read on for some waste-saving ideas, a look at events at the library where you can create some home-made Christmas magic, and some of the many resources you can find in our collection!

Tips to Reduce Waste:

• A great way to cut down on waste is by giving sustainable gifts such as donations and experiences. You could buy tickets to shows, concerts or events, or create a homemade coupon book.  Buy second-hand items as presents or use op-shop finds as a base for upcycled gifts or decorations.  And, of course, homemade gifts from the heart are always appreciated. 

• Homemade decorations are fun to make and use.  Reuse Christmas paper and cards for crafts and for up-cycling into decorations or look to nature and decorate with leaves and flowers and other found items. For gift-wrapping use recycled wrapping paper, decorate your own paper, or try some fancy Japanese Furoshiki cloth wrapping. 

• A super easy way to reduce waste is to have a handy separate bin for recyclables while you are entertaining or giving gifts.  Reusable or DIY crackers or bon-bons are a great option for the Christmas table and can be filled with personalized festive favours. 

 Create home-made treats and decorations at our events:

• Monday 4 December, 6.30pm—7.30pm at Lalor Library: Create a Festive Centerpiece with florist Raffaella from Epping Lalor Florist who will guide you through the steps to create a festive centerpiece using native plants and flowers.  Monday 4 December, 6.30pm—7.30pm at Lalor Library:

• Friday 8 December, 1.30pm—3.00pm at Diamond Valley Library: Join Marie from "Rie's Kitchen" in a fun Christmas Cooking Gift Ideas workshop. 
  Marie will demonstrate a few different recipes that you can prepare at home for Christmas day, or as a gift for someone special. 

• Monday 11 December, 6.30pm—7.30pm at Ivanhoe Library: Learn how to create laser cut festive seasonal decorations. We'll teach you how to use the laser cutters in this introductory session and you can cut and paint your design.  

• Tuesday 12 December, 4.00pm—5.00pm at Thomastown Library: Get your children involved in making decorations, crafts, and cards. This fun Christmas craft session is suitable for school age children and preschoolers.  

• Wednesday 13 December, 1.00pm—3.30pm at Mill Park Library: Learn how to decorate a gingerbread house in this hands-on workshop, presented by the Victorian Cake Decorators Association. 

• Thursday 14 December, 1.00pm—2.30pm at Lalor Library: Come along and craft a small but thoughtful gift for a loved one in this relaxing session. Take a break, connect with others, and share tips on how to enjoy the festive season. 

• Monday 18 December, 3.30pm—5.00pm at Diamond Valley Library: Join us for a kid’s Christmas Decoration Craft Workshop where we’ll be creating last-minute gifts and decorations filled with Christmas spirit and good cheer. 

• Monday 18 December, 6.30pm—7.30pm at Ivanhoe Library: Get creative and design your own Ugly Christmas sweater cupcake for yourself or someone special. A fun way to get into the festive spirit! 

   

Cards Of Kindness:

We also invite you to participate in the Cards of Kindness project by writing a greeting card to a person in the psychiatric unit at the Austin hospital and spreading the holiday cheer to those who need it most!

Join these sessions at:

• Cards of Kindness: Card-Making Workshop, Thursday 30 November, 6.30pm— 8.30pm at Watsonia Library
• Cards of Kindness: Card-Making Workshop, Tuesday 5 December, 6.30pm— 8.30pm at Ivanhoe Library
• Cards of Kindness: Card-Making Workshop, Thursday 7 December, 1.30pm—3.00pm at Diamond Valley Library
• Cards of Kindness: Card-Making Workshop, Friday 15 December, 2.00pm—3.30pm at Thomastown Library

READ MORE! 

If you can’t get along to our events, check out these books which are just a few of the many items in our catalogue to help you have a more sustainable festive season:

The eco-Christmas craft book : 30 stylish festive projects that won't hurt the planet by Marrianne Miall 

Learn to make beautiful, stylish Christmas decorations using eco-friendly materials that won't cost a fortune or harm the planet.  There are 30 fabulous projects to make such as tree decorations, advent items, Christmas cards, table decorations, wreaths and many more. 

Green Christmas : little changes that bring joy & help the planet by Eilidh Gallagher 

If you're ready for a change this December, this book is here to help you bring the focus back to happiness and togetherness.  Every chapter is brimming with tips to help you create sustainable but beautiful alternatives for decorations and gifts. 

Supercraft Christmas : craft your way through more than 40 festive projects by Sophie Pester and Catharina Bruns 

Craft your way through more than 40 eco-friendly festive projects, including charming gifts, stunning decorations, and quirky gift wrap ideas.  With a chapter devoted to last-minute ideas, your treats and trinkets can be as speedy as they are special. 

Paper Christmas : 16 papercrafting projects for the festive season by Emily Dawe 

Learn how to create and style your Christmas in paper, from greetings cards and gorgeous gift tags to beautiful bunting and seasonal snowflake table runners. Use wrapping paper, origami paper or card and a spark of inspiration to make your Christmas extra special. 

Homemade Christmas : creating your own gifts, cards, decorations, and recipes 

This is the perfect source of festive inspiration for creating thoughtful, personalised gifts and decorations for your loved ones. With a focus on upcycling and natural materials, you can create eco-friendly and cherished gifts without the waste, and personalise everything from Christmas cards to Christmas pudding. 

Your Crochet Christmas 2023 (Libby eMagazine)

This year, why not delight your family with stylish seasonal crochet decorations including beautiful baubles, sustainable crackers, and snowflake coasters? This bumper magazine is packed full of joyous inspiration, stunning photography, and easy-to-follow patterns and charts.    

Sustainable gifting : upcycle, hand-make & get creative with zero-waste presents & packages by Michelle Mackintosh 

Containing ideas for sustainable gifts like potted plants grown from seeds, baked goods, beautiful handmade journals and clever tote bags, this thoughtful guide to gifting also features self-made and recycled packaging ideas from delightful labels, string ties, wrapping paper, cards, origami boxes and reused containers. 

Zero waste gift wrap : 30 ideas for furoshiki and other sustainable solutions by Christine Leech 

Embrace zero waste living with this collection of sustainable gift wrap solutions including furoshiki, the traditional Japanese technique of fabric knotting. What could be nicer than receiving a present AND the beautiful scarf it's wrapped in!  Other ideas include how to make present toppers made from unwanted fabric and yarn scraps to finish off your gift wrapping with a flourish.