What is the reason for the season? I often reflect as to what Christmas means to me. Is it about having a break? Is it about food and wine? Well for me, Christmas is about family, reflection, gratitude, peace, tolerance and most importantly, values. Christmas is a time to reconnect with family values that have been handed down over many generations through Christianity – the real reason for the season. Christmas is a time to forgive and forget and appreciate the joy that family and friends bring through generosity and love.
To the Southern Downs community, I acknowledge that it’s been a tough few years and I hope that all of your dreams come to fruition. I hope that those who have been separated from family can be reconnected and enjoy precious time together. It has been a privilege to be your Mayor this year and the community has enriched my life.
I hope that you all have a happy, healthy and holy Christmas. May you also have a happy New Year and I look forward to catching up soon in this great place to live, work, play, and stay.
Don’t waste Christmas
It’s easy to overdo it at Christmas time. We overspend, overeat and end up wasting more than any other time of the year. In fact, our waste increases by more than 30 per cent over the festive season with wrapping paper, packaging and uneaten food.
We can all play a part to minimise waste and here are Sort-It Sally’s tips to reduce waste this festive season:
• Send e-cards and emails instead of paper cards and letters.
• Wrap gifts in newspaper, old wrapping paper, cloth or a tea towel. Use ribbon to secure the wrapping instead of sticky tape and last year’s Christmas cards to make this year’s gift tags.
• Avoid products with excessive packaging and consider gifting a service, donation or experience instead.
• Plan meals and only buy the necessary ingredients. Share leftovers with friends and family to ensure nothing goes in the bin.
• Prepare space in your fridge and freezer for leftovers.
• Avoid disposable plates, cutlery and paper serviettes.
• Recycle your natural Christmas tree. Buy a potted tree that can be enjoyed inside and then planted when the season is over.
• When decorating your tree, go homemade and edible.
