Guide to an Alternative Easter

by Nigel's Eco Store.com

Forget the chocolates and fluffy bunnies this year, mass produced, highly packaged Easter gifts are so last year. Here are some ideas from Nigel's Eco Store for avoiding the usual chocolate fest. So eshew indigestion, try something new and make sure you stand out from the crowd...

Pamper a pet
If your kids are always going on about buying a pet, Easter is the perfect time to make their dreams come true. It will give you a good excuse not to buy them chocolate, and you won't even have to tidy up after the family's new addition. For as little as £5.00 a month you can sponsor a pet, contributing towards ongoing treatment for a sick animal. Like Tom, the cute seven year old Yorkshire Terrier with diabetes, or Sarah, a four year old cat who suffers from asthma. Surely, this is much better than spending all that money on chocolate? Everyone will feel involved and you'll get regular updates of your pet's progress. Go to www.sponsormebetter.org.uk for more information.

Give more with World Gifts
Cafod's World Gifts give you the opportunity to buy life-changing gifts for less privileged people in developing countries. For example, a School Starter Pack only costs £7 and provides books, blackboards, uniforms, pens and pencils for children living in camps in Darfur. Money also goes towards school fees and includes daily meals. Putting things into perspective, CAFOD's Chris Bain says: “The £500 million we spend on Easter confectionery is nearly £200m more than what Kenya spent on its health budget for the whole of last year.” A sobering thought indeed. All World Gifts are sourced locally in the recipient country, and there are lots to choose from. Prices range from £7 to £3,400. Go to www.cafod.org.uk/worldgifts for more details.

Clean house, clean conscience
This time of year, our attention usually turns to de-cluttering the house and having a good old Spring clean. Now there's no reason why the whole family can't roll up their sleeves and get involved, with a great new range of eco-friendly cleaning products. The award-winning range of 100% natural, plant based products uses essential oils and plant extracts, are highly concentrated (so a little goes a long way), and contain no ammonia, phosphates or formaldehyde. Make it fun by suggesting that everyone who successfully completes a task gets to choose a special treat. Go to www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Eco_Cleaning_Products.html for more details.

Create your own OK, so maybe it's a little unrealistic not to let any chocolate pass your lips over the Easter period. But instead of buying heavily packaged eggs from a supermarket, enroll in a workshop where you can create your own eggs, minus the waste. We've found a selection of courses that sound utterly divine and are suitable for adults and kids:

• The Chocolate Tart, Somerset - www.thechocolatetart.co.uk/dates.html Make your own Easter egg filled with chocolates of your choice. £65 per head.
• Brook Hall, Buckinghamshire - www.brookhall.net/course_listings.aspx?course=easter Become a chocolatier for the day and discover the secrets of chocolate. £175 per person for the day.
• Chococo, Dorset - www.chococo.co.uk/news/article.php?id=71 Kids get the opportunity to learn more about chocolate and make some mouth watering treats to take home. £10 per head for one-hour workshop.
• Coghlans, Chesterfield - www.cookingexpert.co.uk/acatalog/cookery-courses.html This junior cookery course for 12 to 16 year olds will teach them all about making and decorating Easter eggs. £55 per person for the day.
• William Curley, Richmond – www.williamcurley.co.uk Let the master patissier and chocolatier take you on a voyage of chocolate discovery with a selection of workshops. Prices start at £100 for two people.

Fairtrade And Organic Easter Eggs
How To Have A Green Easter
Simply Green Giving

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