I’m off for the silly season. I’ll be back blogging in the new year. In the meantime have a great holiday.

I’m not really one for plastic or freshly cut Christmas trees. The picture is of our Christmas tree - a potted Wollemi pine - featuring my son’s fabulous star creation.

Oh, and by the way, the biodegradable pot it originally came in did totally break down in my compost bin. Not a trace was left.

The bling of the Christmas lights in my neighbourhood is making me dizzy. Well at least reminding me that I need to get myself sorted for Christmas.

Yep I’m writing my list and checking it twice and like every year the 25th is quickly approaching and I’m trying to sort out presents, holidays, parties and catching up with family and friends before the year is out.

Christmas is fun but it’s also a time of mass consumption. But there are ways to give people gifts that have meaning and support a worthy cause.

Check out Greenpeace Giving or Oxfam Unwrapped for unusual and quirky virtual gifts that help fund the organisations’ work. WWF, The Wilderness Society, and the ATA also have online shops. The ACF provides some other great ideas for a low consumption Christmas.

I’m sure there are loads of other great charity sites out there that provide good Christmas gifts. If you know one, please suggest it in the comments section below.

Happy shopping.