What do bungee jumping, opera tickets and snowboard lessons have in common?They are all great gift ideas that create memories, not garbage.“What are your favourite Christmas memories?” said Lois Jackson, Delta mayor and chair of the Metro Vancouver regional district’s board.Favourite Christmas memories probably involve spending time with friends and family.“We can continue to celebrate different cultural and religious traditions by making gift choices that reduce garbage and help protect the environment,” Jackson said.“This holiday season, you can be a green angel too.”For the fourth year in a row, Metro Vancouver member municipalities, which include the Township and City of Langley, are encouraging residents to have a festive holiday season and be sustainable, or ‘green’ while doing so. Consider that what you purchase will eventually need to be disposed. So, think about buying higher quality, more durable gifts. Or, give experiences rather than gifts.Here are some ideas to help you get started . . .• Choose classic toys that are made locally and can be passed on;• Board games last and can be enjoyed be friends and family during game nights;* One of a kind or handmade accessories for the fashionista in your life;* Organize a family skate;* Host an amazing dinner for all your friends.* Treat someone to a live performance of the theatre, opera or comedy;* Teach a new skill — cooking, snowboarding or whatever you’re good at;* Make a donation in someone’s name to a cause they support, and* Support local businesses in your municipality by buying locally-made items or shopping in your neighbourhood.This Christmas season, Metro Vancouver has created attention-grabbing posters that show ‘unexpected’ examples of people giving gifts of time, experiences or long-lasting gifts. The artwork will appear on websites, in public places such as SkyTrain stations, and as advertisements in some media outlets.Check out the ‘Create memories, not garbage’ video on the home page of the regional district’s website, www.metrovancouver.org.For a direct link to several videos and other resources, visit: http://www.metrovancouver.org/christmas/Pages/default.aspx.You can send someone a Zero Waste holiday greeting by emailing a free e-card. Watch videos on memorable stories and unique gift ideas. And learn more about the garbage issue.