Celebrity Life

The Peak supported a local initiative spearheaded by Food Culture Singapore and The Refectory with more than 30 local start-ups and heritage brands ranging from savoury snacks and sweets, sauces and jams, to scented candles,ointments, disinfectants and fashion accessories. The event kicked off with an exclusive private experience curated by celebrity chef John Sawarto and Chef Russell […]

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How times flies. The Hari Hotel in Hong Kong opened its doors just a year ago to offer guests luxury accommodations well in the heart of the city, bringing a touch of sophistication and distinct London charm inspired by its English counterpart.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary, the hotel threw an intimate gathering for its supporters and friends at the Lounge and Lucciola Restaurant and Bar. Guests were treated to Brazilian dance performances at the party, as well as entertainment by psychic entertainer Stuart Palm.

Spotted at the party were the Harilela family, as well as friends such as Ankie Beilke, JuJu Chan Szeto, Anthony Szeto, Brandon Chau, Leonard and Candice Chao, and Anil and Sophia Melwani.

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American comedian W. C. Fields once said that there are five reasons to imbibe: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the cognac, or any other reason. At the recent Martell Prestige dinner organised with The Peak Circle, we celebrated all five reasons with four expressions of Martell – […]

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Celebrating New Year's Eve is often marked by fireworks, dancing, and feasting coupled with a reflection of new possibilities. But seldom do our events focus on taking care of our beautiful planet. Certified green event planner JoAnn Moore points out that "an average event with 100 to 150 people can generate over 400 pounds of trash and 62 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Producing events that are less toxic and problematic to our environment is necessary now more than ever." And while your December 31 gathering might not reach that scale, Moore's practices are worth implementing: She follows the "4R" method — recycle, reuse, refurbish, and reimagine—and urges hosts to commit to 12 eco-friendly practices this year, adding 12 per new year. Moore warns, "We are at that point. We need to change, or our earth will change, and there's no going back." Luckily, it's easy to ring in the new year while still keeping Mother Nature at the forefront.

Invitations

No New Year's Eve gathering should be without invitations. Moore recommends eco-mission companies, like Paper Culture, which uses 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper and plants one tree per order. Another option that will save both time and trees is using paperless invitations from Green Envelope or Minted.

Dinnerware

Rent dishes and glassware instead of buying, or else dine with compostable and biodegradable options like wooden cutlery, palm leaf bowls, or plastic-free cutlery, which significantly helps the planet. According to Woodable, a company that offers wood utensil alternatives (and plants four trees for every tree they harvest), of the 40 billion plastic utensils currently being produced worldwide, a large portion ends up in landfills (plastic cutlery is tough to recycle). "Companies with FSC certification are the ones we look for," Moore says, adding that we should "think outside of the box, too. Ask your guests to bring unique glassware and plates to form a cool, eclectic collage on the table."

Activities

A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, photo booths always win hearts during a New Year's Eve party. But instead of buying plastic props, have attendees bring their own. "Host a fashion show with a contest that awards the craziest hat winner," Moore offers. Set up selfie sticks or tripods for guests to use their phones versus giving out polaroids (which are not eco-friendly). If you are using e-invites with an online platform, ask all celebrants to post photos from their events or on their social media group page.

Decorations

Moore, who visits thrift shops to find décor, points out how "cost-effective it is to spend less on new things while decreasing the amount of energy and materials needed to ship packages to me." Instead of latex balloons and plastic decorations, craft decorations by turning old wrapping paper into a letter marquee sign or simply purchasing recyclable options. Or, ask your guests to bring one exciting piece they no longer use. Favour washable runners and linens over paper, always, and when renting linens, pick companies that use nontoxic chemicals to wash them or reuse damaged linen, which cuts down on waste.

Food and Drinks

Organic farming produces less pollution during food and beverage production. On New Year's Eve, Moore suggests a "BYOOB (Bring Your Own Organic Booze) or BYOOD (Bring Your Own Organic Dish)" eating style, and encourages recipe sharing. On the day of the party, set up a pour-your-own-drink bar with organic wines, vodkas, beverages, and Champagnes.

Party Favours

Brainstorm cause-worthy and eco-friendly companies to use for party favours. Companies like Savannah Bee, whose mission is to save honey bees or the Arbor Day Foundation that replant forests. Use reusable bags for your favour bags, too. "It's time to focus on people doing better and getting better. Always work with companies, stores, and products that prioritise green practices whenever possible," Moore explains.

This story first appeared on www.marthastewart.com

(Main and Feature Image Credit: svetikd / Getty Images)

© 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Licensed from MarthaStewart.com and published with permission of Meredith Corporation. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

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Members of The Peak Circle virtually entered Ferrari’s realm in a rare and exclusive immersive experience. Guests went on a virtual Ferrari factory tour, getting a glimpse of what goes on behind those hallowed gates at Maranello, where the legend of the Prancing Horse was born. After the tour, they enjoyed a specially curated four-course dinner by […]

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Easily the most dazzling evening of the year for fashionistas and the arbiters of style in the city, the opening gala for Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion exhibition at K11 Musea was a spectacular return to glamour. For a city that’s long been cloaked in designer masks and mostly muted celebrations for the past two years, the best-dressed stepped out in unabashed style.

K11 Musea was the place to be seen, to be heard, to be photographed in couture, and by George, the A-list pulled out all the stops and dug out their finest wears and tears. The opening night for Adrian Cheng's exhibition, with fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, provided ample reason to doll out in designer gladrags as haute couture was celebrated alongside intricate Chinese crafts. From the realms of culture, fashion and art alike, we noted several people head to toe in scintillating sartorial selects, after the drudgery of the pandemic, it was a return to life in colour, exquisite embroidery, scintillating silhouettes, sequins and feathers.

The big question that was trending on social media (and by many self-appointed fashion critics); Who was best dressed? We have our picks, of course, and as we race to print and publish, here are a few of our favourites; Anne Wang Liu in Alex Perry to Jennifer Yu Cheng in a custom pink Christian Siriano gown, the gold carpet (red carpet is ‘so’ last season) was rolled out for the dashing and the debonair.

Let’s not forget the gents, Adrian Cheng inaugurated the eventing wearing Alexander McQueen, architect Andre Fu looked faultless in a tailored suit by Yally Yan (for the pernickety fashion purveyors, in Tom Ford shoes and a Chanel brooch).

The bold and the beautiful Elly Lam in London-based label Alessandra Rich turned several heads, while Alison Chan El Azar in a feathery and sequinned little red number from 16Arlington looked ultra-glam. Veronica Chou wore Thierry Mugler and all the devilish details were in the back of her eye-catching ensemble, Colleen Yu Fung in Jenny Peckham looked fab, while Michelle Reis opted for a classic Giorgio Armani gossamer gown with intricate detailing.

A special shout out to those who opted for Asian designers such as Feiping Chang’s frothy green confection from Chinese designer Ryzyoryuan, couturier Barney Cheng and PR maven Peter Cheung who wore traditional qipaos (designed by Cheng). Calvin Wang also opted for a traditional Chinese-style men’s gown accessorised with a glittering broach.

Via livestream, fashion icon Carine Roitfeld joined the guests, the glittering skyline of Hong Kong island was the stunning background for the evening. Gala guests also participated in a silent auction powered by Open Heart featuring one-of-a-kind pieces and one-off experiences by couture houses and traditional artisans crafted in collaboration with the K11 Craft & Guild Foundation (KCG). Proceeds from successfully auctioned items benefited UNESCO and the KCG to further the global efforts in cultural preservation.

Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion officially opens to the public today (13 December, 2021), and continues on 6F, K11 Art & Cultural Centre, K11 MUSEA until 14 February, 2022.

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If you're looking for presents and experiences to surprise your loved ones this festive season, Landmark has you covered with its exclusive Christmas Concierge service.

From tailoring to fine dining and more, Landmark's one-stop gifting service offers luxury experiences that can certainly cater for every special person in your life.

Keep Scrolling to Discover Some of the Luxury Experiences Available at Landmark

The Kingsman

One's dream of being a stylish spy in a tailor-made suit can finally come true this Christmas. With a wide variety of well-crafted men’s garments that epitomise timeless style, The Armoury is no doubt the perfect place to give the gentleman in your life a Kingsman's treatment.

The bespoke tailoring service is accompanied by a whisky tasting experience by The Whiskey Library, which offers luscious collections from distilleries around the world.

The Armoury, Shop B45, B/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2810 4990

Landmark's Bond Girl

If you’re looking to impress a fashionista, there’s nothing better than giving them the opportunity to design a pair of heels at Sauvereign.

Sauvereign, Shop 230B, 2/F Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2530 3391

A Glass of Act

To impress all the wine lovers out there, Landmark is offering an exclusive private wine masterclass for two. The tour, led by Amber's Wine Director John Chan, includes Premier & Grand Cru White and Red Wines from Burgundy, palate cleaners and nibbles.

Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2132 0066

The Star Collector

There’s nothing more satisfying and festive than enjoying fine food in good company. This year, Landmark is offering the opportunity of a lifetime taking guests on a tour to collect 10 Michelin Stars. We can't think of a more memorable gift for the one person in your life that is truly passionate about food. The unique adventure, which will be documented on a special star passport, will give the lucky gourmands the chance to eat at some of Hong Kong's most celebrated restaurants, including Amber, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana.

Mother-Daughter Day

This festive season, you can enjoy quality time with your family while getting your nails done at Airplay and indulging on a luxury French afternoon tea for two at Le Salon De Thé de Joël Robuchon.

Airplay, Shop315, 3/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2388 8179

Mini-moon at Landmark

Treat yourself and your loved one to a 150-minute long couples massage followed by a champagne and caviar tasting class led by John Chan, Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s Director of Wine. 

The Christmas Concierge is located at shop 237, 2/F Landmark Atrium and is open daily from 11am to 7:30pm until December 31

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A consultant with extensive experience with top collectors and institutions around the world, Wendy Goldsmith talks to us about navigating the art world, her changing clientele, the Western market and Asian collectors.

Wendy Goldsmith first joined renowned British auction house Christie's 19th Century European Art department in London over 20 years ago. There, she would travel across Europe and West Asia, sourcing key material for auctions and heavily contributing to the house's name and fame. After becoming its youngest Director and Auctioneer, she moved to New York and became the International Head of 19th Century European Art. In 2003, she returned to London and established herself as a private art consultant – Goldsmith Art Advisory.

Goldsmith's experience includes achieving some world-record prices in the art auctioning world while working with top collectors and institutions around the world. These days, she works out of her Mayfair office, focusing on Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary paintings and sculpture. We talk to her about the importance of art advisors, navigating the art world and the Western market, and the changing face of Asian collectors.

Goldsmith Art Advisory's Wendy Goldsmith on Navigating the Art World

Where have you been spending time over the past two years?

The last two years have been spent mainly in the UK. When not working in London, I was exploring many of the regional British museums and staycationing in some of our gorgeous country hotels whenever openings allowed. The only trip abroad was a trip to America last spring when I was able to sneak in due to my American passport. It had been too long not to see clients.

Have you been able to travel when possible during the pandemic and have you noticed people's travel patterns changing due to it?

It was exceedingly difficult for people to travel, hence almost impossible for them to view paintings and attend art fairs – because they simply didn't exist. The vaccine became the gamechanger, allowing the confidence for globetrotting to the world’s cultural capitals once again.

Has the demographic of your client base altered in any way in recent years?

There is no question that the clients have become younger and younger and younger, and they start at a much higher level; in my day you'd have 50, 60, and 70-year-olds buying the great works and the younger ones would start collecting with prints. Now you have 25-year-olds starting with seven-figure pictures which, having done this for so long, I still find extraordinary. 40 percent of the new clients at auction are under 30, as they are so comfortable buying online as well which is where all the sales seamlessly moved to over lockdown. In addition, the depth of the market is like nothing we've ever seen. Almost every country is involved – there were many years when certain nationalities would dominate; the Japanese in the late 80s, then the Russians, then the Italians yet now, literally everyone is enjoying the ride, with Asia leading the way.

Are there particular types of works that are notably popular at the moment?

Art that is popular to Western buyers has been filtering over to the Asian audience over the last few seasons. Now you have Western artists appearing more and more in the Hong Kong sales, which we never saw before when they were dominated almost purely by Asian artists. The experiment was a great success, especially as Asian collectors are educated and sophisticated, wanting to collect in-depth. They started with the obvious artists such as Andy Warhol, but have moved on to the likes of Nicholas Party – not necessarily a household name for those outside of the art world.

Are there obstacles to accessing specific works from the Western market for Asian collectors? How can these obstacles be overcome?

The problem with the current market is that everyone seems to gravitate to the same artists, which makes access the most difficult hurdle. Working with an advisor helps to overcome these obstacles. They have usually worked for years to cultivate relationships with the galleries, along with various other key colleagues, in order for their clients to have priority for the next great work to appear by their coveted artist. The other way to gain access is auctioning, which is why we have seen some outstanding prices in recent years. The person who puts their hand up in the air longest is the one who wins. Cash is king. It’s the great equaliser, without any waiting lists.

How has the pandemic affected your own ways of working?

Technology changed everything, and thank goodness we had it. Viewings were impossible over lockdown although, at one point, I did have a warehouse opened up exclusively to show a client one painting. The entire warehouse was completely empty, except for the managing director showing us around. I had to pull a lot of strings to make that happen, but it was the only way that deal could have gone through. That was early on during Covid but as time went on, collectors became more and more accustomed to buying online, especially new ones, once they were familiar with an artist and could see a high res jpeg, or had faith in the seller such as the brand names of Christie’s or Sotheby’s.

How would you say the pandemic has affected the buying and selling behaviours of your clients? How so for a wider collector base?

It remains a problem for Asian collectors, especially Chinese, as they literally cannot leave the country. Nevertheless, when there is an exhibition in say, Hong Kong, there are queues out the door. Local collectors can’t go elsewhere to view and experience art, so this is a very big event for them, even more so than usual. Art Basel Hong Kong was a huge success in March. Then the series of auctions held at Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips saw some extraordinary numbers from this captive audience.

When looking at recent sales in Hong Kong, is there anything notable in the types of collectors? Or the prices reached for particular works?

There is a trend in every sale. At the moment, collectors are looking at Black artists, they're looking at women artists and even within this field, they are looking at female surrealist artists. Every collector is always looking for the next big thing which speeds up exponentially. This again stems from technology. There's such unprecedented access to information so people's tastes are constantly in flux.

More broadly, art fairs in Hong Kong (from Art Basel in May to Unscheduled more recently) have in 2021 reported strong sales – do you have any comments on this in terms of what it says about the market in general? Does this have longevity?

The art world is not going anywhere. Again, there's just greater and greater depth of the market as a whole new generation of worldwide buyers come into the marketplace. The younger collectors obviously start at the contemporary side of things with what their friends are collecting and what they understand. Sometimes, they then work backwards to early modern, which looks like such good value in comparison at the moment. On the other hand, their parents started with some classic names they knew from their art history books – Van Gogh to Renoir to Picasso – but as these artists become harder and harder to come by (as well as increasingly more expensive), some of them realise that it was actually more fun in a way, once they collected what they wanted, to move on to contemporary. So it's really interesting where all the generations are meeting.

What might be your predictions as we come out of lockdown?

As we come out of lockdown, people are going to be more and more selective of the number of art fairs they attend, as well as the actual auctions. Having said that, they are also grasping any opportunity to see art in person once more. You can become familiar with paintings by a particular artist but nothing duplicates the experience of actually standing in front of a work of art. Interacting with artists is also the lifeblood for collectors – they love a good studio visit. They get great satisfaction from meeting with artists, understanding their thought processes, seeing their progress, supporting them and often, becoming friends. It is a dynamic that will last for hundreds of years.

Are there art fairs you have booked to visit in your calendar currently, now that some areas are opening up?

The size and numbers of art fairs may become reduced as many of the smaller galleries are realizing that without the huge expenses of these overheads, between travel, shipping and hotel costs, plus of course the cost of renting a booth for the fair, they can do just as much and more with .jpg and online viewing rooms. It’s also an impetus to get clients back into bricks and mortar galleries and view proper exhibitions. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Art Basel Miami in early December, along with some excellent satellite fairs. Plus, everyone is in a good mood in the sun.

How can people try to navigate a complicated and increasingly overwhelming market?

The art world has become an almost impossible beast to navigate, even for professionals. That's why an art advisor is so essential if you're going to take collecting seriously. It would be physically impossible for a layperson to go to all the exhibitions, auction viewings, museum shows, gallery openings I attend, as well as read all the websites I look at, the previews for the shows and art fairs – not to mention the endless auction catalogues. So you really need someone in your corner: a support system, a teacher and an educator to really understand the complexities of this absolute minefield, especially when there can be so much money on the line. Art advisors pay for themselves, just in that aspect alone.

What advice would you give to burgeoning collectors unsure of how to build their collections?

You can't see enough. Look at art anywhere, anytime and at any opportunity. Start to really understand your taste which is why it also helps to see the bad, in order to understand the good. It can take years to gain the confidence and education to build a collection so there’s no need to rush but if you’re still unsure, some professional advice would make all the difference.

You can find out about Wendy Goldsmith and Goldsmith Art Advisory here.

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Long in the making, Prestige’s Women of Power project came to its first fruition when 72 of this city’s most influential women, plus partners and supporters, came together for an evening of sisterly celebration – and, yes, a touch of glamour – on December 1, at The Hari Hong Kong. During the proceedings, Prestige managing director and publisher Oceana Ou introduced the initiative, which is aimed at creating and honouring an ongoing and expanding collective of women, who have not only enjoyed success but will also inspire and empower others to do the same. 

The evening’s programme included a speech by Prestige’s December cover personality Jennifer Yu Cheng, founder of JYC Girls Impact Foundation, who spoke passionately about encouraging the coming generation to be leaders in their chosen field and how education can empower them. Her address was followed by a panel discussion between Angelina Kwan, a highly respected figure in the fields of digital assets and finance regulation, and Brenda Scofield, chair of The Samaritans, about the role of women in contemporary society and the important steps they’ve taken in shattering glass ceilings along the way. Throughout the evening, guests also took the opportunity to mix and mingle with other honourees – often for the very first time.

Women of Power is more than just a list of names of those deemed successful by traditional standards. It’s a collective built in the hope of creating change in the community and closing the gender gap, as well as recognising women who have paved the way for others and have stories to tell about how they did it. It is, in short, an engaged matrix that sets new standards for the Prestige brand. 

In the months and years to come, Prestige will be creating forums for discussion, mentorship opportunities, panel talks and summits, in which women can discuss how they can work together to make this city greater, better and fairer for everyone. This year’s honourees will remain permanent members of a collective of female talent that will be augmented annually.

The Women of Power event was made possible with the support of UOB, Veuve Clicquot, Chloé and Sauvereign

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The holiday season is here, and the excitement in the air is certainly understandable. However, such joyous occasions can also result in a lot of wastage. So, it becomes important to work toward making this holiday season sustainable, which helps not only the environment but also everyone involved in the festivities.

Christmas and New Year’s are two of the biggest celebrations during the holiday season. The joie de vivre can be felt everywhere as people become eager to spend some quality time with loved ones or travel to some of the most amazing winter destinations to create unforgettable moments.

Exchanging gifts, lavish dinners and jet-setting trips are part of the activities centred around the holidays. But these things often become a burden on nature.

Here’s how you can turn the holiday season into a sustainable one.

The environment

Travelling irresponsibly can damage the environment. A recent instance was highlighted by a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India.

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the elected representative from Ladakh — hailed as one of the most pristine places in the country — posted a tweet on 23 November, 2021, through which he drew attention to the littering along the banks of the River Indus by visitors during a festival.

Similar incidents take place at many such prominent places around the world. Mount Everest has been given the ignominious epithet of “the world’s highest garbage dump” by concerned voices because of the accumulated trash left by mountaineers.

Not just travel, individual celebrations at home can also contribute to the total waste in the environment. Beedie School of Business, the business school of Simon Fraser University (SFU), says that Canadians produce 300,000 tonnes more waste than usual between mid-November and New Year’s Day. Part of it is because of items such as wrapping paper and gift bags ending up in landfills.

The US is a bigger contributor to the environmental damage during this period.

“Typically, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day we see about a 25 percent increase in volume or about 1,000 pounds of extra waste per household,” Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador for US recycling and non-hazardous waste firm Republic Services, told NBC News in December 2019.

Thus, it is important to organise a more sustainable holiday season this year and in the years to come. Among the many ways this can be done are lowering the energy pressure on the environment by picking the right holiday lights, opting for sustainable produce for dinners and luncheons and selecting an actual Christmas tree over the fake ones.

Choose eco-friendly holiday dishes and drinks

An eco-friendly feast is one of the best ways to feel the festive vibes while caring about the environment.

It begins with sourcing — buying fresh produce from local farmers who are engaged in sustainable farming.

A lesson or two can be learnt from the likes of farm-to-table hotels such as Belle Mont Farm in the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and L’Andana in Tuscany, Italy. They have organic farmland and source what they need locally, or do both.

Though it is best to consume plant-based dishes over meat (beef is the most carbon-intensive of all foods), local farmers can also grow sustainable meat. So, there is no dearth of produce that would be needed to make any of the wide range of delicious holiday dishes that fall under vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare during the season.

If more things are sourced locally, it will lessen the impact on the environment as a result of the reduction in carbon footprint because of decreased transportation of produce from far away and reduction in burning fossil fuels.

Further, sourcing locally, not just food but any other item, also helps smaller- local businesses flourish and keeps the money flowing within the community. This is especially important for the sustainable growth of everyone in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wines, liquors and other brews can also be obtained in the same way — from local wineries, vintners, distillers and brewers engaged in sustainable practices.

Cutting down food wastage is perhaps one of the best ways to promote sustainability. For instance, instead of throwing away the leftover turkey post-Thanksgiving dinner, it is better to use it to conjure delicious dishes of all sorts. Additionally, it is a great way to find solace in food.

Pick a real Christmas tree

Fake Christmas trees are often made from plastic. They won’t degrade and decompose for hundreds of years, thus becoming a burden on the environment. However, there are many benefits of having an actual tree.

An evergreen conifer, such as pine, spruce and fig, can be used as a Christmas tree. After Christmas, the tree can be reused as mulch or wood chips. It can even be replanted in some cases.

Again, one of the best ways to get it is from a local Christmas tree seller. However, one must also note how the trees are grown.

Before making a purchase, it is necessary to ensure that the Christmas tree was grown at a sustainable tree farm, using best practices, as they are planted in larger numbers than are cut down each year.

It should also be a pesticide-free tree, as a chemical-laced tree might not only be harmful to the tree and the environment but may also adversely affect people and pets in the household where it is planted or used for decoration.

Sustainable holiday season with LED

What is a holiday season without lights? From Christmas markets to historic buildings and churches, all places are adorned with twinkling lights of varied colours, designs and sizes. As it snows, beautiful cities, such as Paris and New York, turn into magical wonderlands particularly because of the Christmas lights.

Yes, conventional holiday lights do not consume too much electricity, but when seen from a macro perspective, the impact of everyone decking up their homes and Christmas trees with lights can be better understood.

In a December 2020 report, Forbes underlined the massive impact of normal Christmas lights on the environment and people’s pockets.

According to the report, American energy company Arcadia calculated that the use of lights in US homes where Christmas is celebrated leads to a total consumption of 3.5 billion kWh. The total energy bill for running the lights comes to USD 645 million; so, every household with Christmas lights pays an additional USD 12 on average for December.

Besides, two million tonnes of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere while generating power for the lights.

Citing the Department of Energy, Forbes reports that using LED holiday lights in place of the conventional ones results in a 75 percent reduction in power drawn by the lights; this means lesser carbon emissions and a reduced power bill.

The other advantage of LEDs is that they are pretty much long-lasting and release less heat than conventional lights. More power can be saved by regulating the time when the lights are on. Keeping them turned off during the day and even the wee hours of the night is an ideal way to use energy sustainably.

In fact, not just for holiday season decorations, LED lights should be used for all normal lighting purposes in households throughout the year. It is one of the best ways to save energy and the environment while reducing personal expenditure on power.

Giving away eco-friendly gifts

Gifting is an integral part of any festivity. However, the wastage that follows is certainly a problem for our planet.

Finding a suitable gift at the local market is a more sustainable option. Special attention should be paid to handcrafted gifts. All this is necessary to help the local community.

However, the best option is to make a gift at home. Sustainable materials for the gift can be sourced locally and from sustainable makers. It could be simple homemade ornaments, picture frames or skincare products such as soap bars, or hair oil.

If the ideal sustainable gift is not available locally or cannot be made at home, the right way is to buy products from places that pay attention to environmental concerns.

Despite all efforts made to choose a gift with some utility, they might end up getting discarded. So, a great way to prevent gifts from ending in the dustbin and create memories is to adopt some more alternative gifting ideas.

These could be in the form of tickets to a popular nearby destination, gift cards, a subscription for a piano class, tickets to a football game or even a theatre show.

Inviting a family over for dinner at home is also an option. No need to throw lavish parties; just simple treats, homemade delicacies and the warmth of your home should be enough to create memories.

Love and support in times of COVID-19

The best way to spread the festive spirit and kindness during the holidays is by donating to the poor, homeless and anyone in need.

According to the Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH), there are 100 million homeless in the world. Data from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) as of October 2020 states “an estimated 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing globally, of which 1 billion live in slums and informal settlements.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has rendered more people hungry and poor in 2020 than predicted in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Researches conducted by prominent bodies have indicated that the poor have been the worst hit.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to push an additional 88 million to 115 million people into extreme poverty this year, with the total rising to as many as 150 million by 2021, depending on the severity of the economic contraction,” World Bank predicted in October 2020 in its report ‘Projected Poverty Impacts of COVID-19’.

Thus, many charitable and non-governmental organisations are trying to help the poor to get back on their feet. Donating to such groups is perhaps a ‘gift’ that has no parallels. However, it is best to do proper research on the organisations and learn about how they help, their previous work and the success of their work in this direction before donating.

Sustainable wrapping for a great festive season

Packaging is another major contributor to the holiday season waste. Cardboard boxes, cellophane wrapping paper, fancy envelopes, shiny ribbons, bubble wraps and even bottles mostly end up in landfills.

So, saving gift wraps and bows received among other packaging materials and reusing them to pack gifts at home is the best way to reduce environmental impact.

The best gift wrapping materials are those made from 100 percent paper, which can be obtained from newspapers and magazines. It is a great way to be creative, like wrapping gifts meant for children with glossy pages from old comic books.

Clean but old clothing items such as bandanas and scarves can also be used for packaging. And if fabrics are the gift, one of the best ideas is to ditch packaging altogether.

Reusing cardboard boxes in which online retailers deliver goods can also be reused. These are mostly undamaged and sturdy even after unpacking. Sustainable inks and colours can give packages and gift wraps an artistic touch.

In case the gift wraps and packages cannot be reused, it is best to hand them over to recyclers. Materials such as cardboard, cans and plastic are recyclable. Glass, too, can be recyclable in some cases.

Travel responsibly

Post-COVID-19 travel has resumed in several countries and has been a lifesaver for hundreds of thousands whose livelihoods depend on it. The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on 27 September by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), was Tourism for Inclusive Growth.

Underlining its meaning, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO, said in an official message, “By celebrating this day, we state our commitment that, as tourism grows, the benefits that come will be felt at every level of our broad and diverse sector, from the biggest airline to the smallest family business.”

Thankfully, the pandemic has resulted in more people becoming aware of sustainable travel. According to CNBC, a study conducted by American travel company Virtuoso found that 82 percent of respondents were more eager to travel responsibly post-pandemic and 72 percent agreed that travel should support local communities, protect the planet's future and preserve cultural heritage.

But how to travel sustainably? There are many ways, and most of them can be easily practised without compromising on excitement that comes with travel. These include staying in eco-friendly accommodations and packing for the trip sensibly, including items that can be reused.

A great way to ensure sustainable travel is to visit tourist destinations in the off season. This not only helps reduce pressure on the ecosystems and infrastructure but also helps local businesses earn money in a time when income is low.

At the same time, the mode of travel is perhaps one of the most important things to consider. Even though air travel is the fastest mode of transport, several studies have revealed that it comes at the cost of the environment.

Swedes have a word —"flygskam", which in English translates to "flight shame". It is a term used to refer to the shame of damaging the environment by flying.

The alternative is to take the train or car (if it's electronic, even better!). However, international destinations are mostly connected by air. So, to reduce the harm done to the environment, take a single, long vacation instead of several short ones.

Sustainable travel — one that includes tourists caring about the destination as much as locals — is, therefore, one of the best ways for both tourism and the planet.

(Main and Featured image: S Migaj/@simonmigaj/Unsplash)

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Presented by Dimmitt Automotive Group – For nearly 20 years, the Dimmitt Automotive Group has hosted a Toys for Tots toy drive and exotic car rally. In 2020, over 130 exotic, luxury and supercars filled with thousands of children’s toys made their way to the Toys for Tots Distribution Center in Tampa, FL. Facilitated by […]

The post Dimmitt Automotive Group’s 2021 Toys For Tots Rally appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Food from the Heart, a charity that feeds the needy in Singapore, held its 4th edition of the Charity Golf Tournament this year on 12 November at Singapore Island Country Club. The event combines the love of golf and giving back to the community in a day competition on the green, and was Food from the […]

The post Food from the Heart Charity Golf Tournament 2021 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.