Real or Fake Christmas Trees?
We’re getting ready to rock around the Christmas tree but if you haven’t already bought yours, are you wondering whether to go for a real or fake Christmas tree? Do you know just how environmentally friendly a real tree actually is and how it compares to a fake one? We have all the facts plus how to get rid of your real tree in an environmentally friendly way. Read on…
The Facts
An artificial tree is normally made from plastic which comes from oil which makes up for two thirds of its carbon footprint. A further quarter of its environmental impact comes from the industrial emissions when it is being manufactured.
A 2m artificial tree has a carbon footprint equivalent of 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions. This is TWICE the level of a real tree which is disposed of in landfill. However if you choose a more environmentally friendly way of disposing of your tree such as burning it then a fake tree has TEN times more emissions. In other words, if you have an artificial tree you would need to re-use if for at least ten years before it became as good an option as a real tree.
The way in which you dispose of your real tree is the most important factor. If you burn your tree on your bonfire, plant it or get it chipped it reduces its greenhouse emissions by up to 80%!
Benefits of an artificial tree:
- Cost. They are normally less than real trees and can/should be re-used for many years.
- Ease. Just bring it out the attic each year and decorate it. Some even have lights already built in.
- Suitable in surroundings where real trees are not possible (hospitals, places were flammability is a big issue etc.
- No needles all over the floor.
- No disposal issue
Benefits of a real tree:
- Environmental impact
- The joy of going tree hunting and picking the right one
- The look, texture and of course the smell!
Daddy and I with a real Christmas tree
For us at Vialii Towers, real always wins. And we have a wonderful option for disposal thanks to our local Scouts who collect them each year and then arrange for them to be chipped and the mulch used locally.
If you need tips on what variety of real Christmas tree suits you best then read my blog all about it.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and many happy times around your Christmas tree, whatever kind you have.
Lulu & Tilda xx
Vialii Guide to Christmas Gardening Gifts 2016
It’s time for our annual recommendations for cool gifts to give to your loved one this Christmas which will brighten up your garden, appeal to wildlife, satisfy your tummy and help with the gardening chores. There is something to suit everyone so read on to find out more..
Get your presents wrapped stylishly at Wrapistry by Cherene
Koziol Pi:p Bird Feeder
It’s only fair that we share our gardens with the wildlife all around us and why not treat them to a stylish place to dine at the same time? This bird feeder looks great and will be a beautiful feature in any garden and the birds will be delighted too. £29
A stylish way to feed birds in your garden
Orla Kiely Grow Your Own Chillies Set
Orla Kiely is more famous for designing textiles but her designs look great on garden products too including tools and grow your own sets. We love this ‘grow your own chillies set’ which will look great on your windowsill. £19.95
Grow Your Own Chillies
Wood Fired Oven
Now this is on our own wish list. This wood fired oven is perfect for cooking pizza, using as a BBQ and even for smoking food. The lovely people at Calido will even throw in a free bag of logs to get your started if you mention Vialii when you order. £199.99
Perfect for pizzas!
Globe Enamelled Firepit
And yet another great offer from Calido. We LOVE this globe firepit perfect for keeping you toasty and extending evenings out in the garden. It’s gorgeous red colour and contemporary style makes it a wonderful focal point as well as providing welcome heat on a chilly evening. Remember to quote Vialii when you purchase from Calido to get your free bag of logs. £88.99
Stylish globe firepit
Garden Vouchers
If your loved one has everything they need apart from time then give them one of our unique garden vouchers this Christmas. From lawn treatments or weeding to garden designs and new plants they can choose whatever they want to spend their voucher on and you can choose whatever value you want to put on it. Perfect!
Get in touch to start creating your unique garden voucher
Windowsill Planter
This lovely planter is perfect for growing herbs on your windowsill and can be customised to have whatever stencilled message you like on it. Very sweet. £9.99
Customise your gift
Retro Garden Chair
Relaxing in your garden is always important and what better than one of these retro inspired chairs. £37.34
Affordable designer garden chairs
Garden Lizard
Garden art is a great way of adding a splash of colour and interest into your garden all year round. We love this colourful lizard, perfect for climbing up a garden fence. £14.99
A colourful lizard to add interest to the garden
Designer Watering Can
This two litre watering can not only looks stylish but is really affordable too. £4.40
A colourful watering can at an affordable price
Hopefully we have managed to find some things which will make your Christmas shopping a little bit easier and provide your loved ones with something a bit unusual and stylish to add to their garden this year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
All at Vialii
1. All prices and links correct at time of publication, November 2016.
2. Make your wrapping as cool as these gifts by getting them wrapped by the fabulous Wrapistry by Cherene.
Lulu & Tilda’s Kids Gardening Gift Ideas 2016
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. Oh, hi there, just getting in the Christmas spirit! How’s your Christmas shopping going? Still need some cool ideas for the little ones in your life who like getting outdoors? Well, you’re in luck as we have done the hard work for you and brought to you our TWELVE favourite kids Christmas gifts they might want to ask Santa for this year…
1. Rainy Pot
As well as getting outdoors to do a bit of gardening we love having indoor plants too. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to water them though which is why this Rainy Pot is totes perfect! The cute little cloud holds water which it gradually releases onto your plant. £24
The Rainy Pot waters your plant for you
2. Gruffalo Tool Bag
If you’re a busy gardener like us you need a handy tool bag for all your tools. We love this one which features one of our favourite characters, the Gruffalo! It even comes with three tools to get you started. £14.99
Oh help, oh no, it’s a Gruffalo tool bag!
3. Grow Your Own Spinach
He’s Popeye the Sailor Man.
He’s Popeye the Sailor Man.
He’s strong to the finish,
Cause he eats his spinach,
He’s Popeye the sailor man.
Now you can grow your own spinach and get huge muscles just like Popeye! £6.99
I is disgustipated.
4. Solar Fairy Jars
These pretty jars work on solar energy and are perfect for lighting up the garden on a wintry evening so the fairies can still see where they are going. £14.99
Pretty lights to hang around the garden
5. Garden Vouchers
If someone in your life has everything they need apart from time then treat them to one of our Vialii garden vouchers. It can be spent on anything from grass cuts to a pretty new planter and you can choose any value you like. Perfect. Just like us 🙂
Vialii garden services gift voucher
6. The Blueberry Box
We LOVE growing blueberries in our garden (almost as much as we love picking and eating them!) This lovely pair of blueberry bushes comes in terracotta pots and are perfect for your patio. £38
Grow your own blueberries, yum!
7. Grow Your Own Bug Eating Plant
If blueberries are too sweet for you, try growing something gruesome like these bug eating plants! Perfect for the little monster in your life! £8
Watch out for this bug eating plant, snap!
8. Grow Funky Veg Kit
This cool kit has all that you need to grow some cool and unusual veg – from purple carrots to red brussel sprouts you will wow your friends with your quirky homegrown produce. £14.99
Grow some stripey tomatoes!
9. Zombie Gnome
Gnomes have got a bit of a reputation for being a bit twee but no-one is going to mess with this zombie gnome. Wonder what he gets up to when we’re not around, yikes! £9.99
The Walking Dead comes to Gnomeland!
10. Den Kit
This kit has all that you need to make your very own den. From tarpaulin to mallet you will be able to head off on adventures and create dens wherever you go. Perfect for your own little adventurer. £34.95
Everything you need to make your own den
11. Garden Flamingos
Our mummy loves flamingos so we are going to save up all our pennies to buy these kitsch garden flamingos for her (sshhhh, don’t tell her!) These are the original designer ones but there are other cheaper ones available as a single pair too. £59.95 for two pairs.
Garden flamingos, just like Gnomeo & Juliet
12. Magis Pipe Dream Watering Can
How cool is this watering can? It looks like an alien! They come in different funky colours. Perfect for keeping kids entertained for hours. £58
Is it a monster? An alien? Nope, just a cool watering can!
So, there you go, our eclectic mix of cool stuff for kids this Christmas. Happy shopping everyone.
Lulu & Tilda xx
Prices and links correct at time of publication.