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Transcript: Arielle
Green Squad
Descriptive Text
CHILD: Wheee!
[Child giggles, pop, playful music plays]
[Logo] T.V.O. Kids Original.
[Rock music plays]
DESCRIPTION: On a screen with a play bar at the bottom, Arielle sits at a desk. She has long brown hair and wears a grey sweater. Behind her is a bulletin board with photographs, and on the wall are sketches and drawings.
ARIELLE: Hi, Green Squad, my name is Arielle, and I'm ten years old.
DESCRIPTION: In the Green Squad headquarters, Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle sit around a small table with a tablet propped up on it.
GREEN SQUAD: Hi, Arielle!
DESCRIPTION: In front of a wood stove, Arielle dances. A canvas on an easel features muted colours. Arielle’s drawings include a detailed zebra head, a portrait of a woman, and a dragon.
ARIELLE: I love dancing, painting, drawing.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a Christmas tree appears. Pictures of a plastic duck toy, ornaments and garland, and wrapped presents appear. A graphic of two stuffed garbage bags appears.
ARIELLE: My family and I celebrate Christmas. We try to have green Christmases, but it's hard with the plastic toys, the plastic decorations and the wrapping paper, which always gets thrown out at the end.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, KYLE: Ton of fun, but ton of garbage.
[Bells jingle]
DESCRIPTION: At her desk, Arielle draws a Christmas tree beside a sketch of an ice cream cone. In animation, stockings, presents, candy canes, and ornaments appear around Arielle’s Christmas tree drawing.
ARIELLE: I want to make our celebrations more green while keeping up the holiday spirits.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, ERIC: No green Christmas is complete without a sustainable tree, and I know the perfect place to find one.
[Hand smacks]
DESCRIPTION: Eric hits the back of his hand against his palm.
SHAKIRA: I'm dreaming of a green Christmas with cute handmade decorations. Count me in.
DESCRIPTION: In her room, Arielle sits at her desk.
[Typing]
[Text Reads] Squad, help me out!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad smiles.
[Text reads] Lisa.
DESCRIPTION: Lisa wears a red blouse and has her long brown hair tightly braided. She holds a reusable shopping bag and smiles. Graphics of food, a light bulb with a plug, and a shopping bag fly out of her bag.
[Text reads] Kyle.
DESCRIPTION: Kyle holds a red backpack. His dark brown hair reaches beneath his ears. Graphics of a bicycle, a skateboard, shoes, and a truck appear.
[Text reads] Shakira.
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, a girl with long black hair, turns. She wears a sleeveless black shirt and a white skirt. Graphics of a sewing machine, scissors, and safety pins appear.
[Text reads] Eric.
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds a long work bag and smiles. His short black hair is straight, and he wears a blue t-shirt and brown overalls. Graphics of a fence, gardening tools, a wheelbarrow, and a watering can appear. The Green Squad dances.
[Text reads] T.V.O. Kids presents. An Apartment Eleven Production.
[Title] Green Squad.
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad poses together.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Upbeat music plays, Eric and Shakira knock]
DESCRIPTION: Eric and Shakira walk to Arielle’s front door, and she opens it, with her brother and her parents behind her.
[Text Reads] Hi! Hi Squad!
SHAKIRA: I'm Shakira.
ERIC: And I'm Eric.
[Typing]
DESCRIPTION: Leo has short brown hair, a beard, and a moustache. He wears a grey shirt. Jaqueline has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears a coral long-sleeve shirt. Émile has short brown hair and wears a grey T-shirt.
ARIELLE: These are my parents, Leo and Jaqueline. And this is my brother, Émile.
SHAKIRA: Nice to meet you all.
DESCRIPTION: Jaqueline gestures for Eric and Shakira to enter.
JAQUELINE: Welcome, squad.
ARIELLE: Come in!
SHAKIRA: Thank you!
[Hands smack, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Eric, Shakira and Arielle sit on a couch. Eric lifts his hands and then drops them on his thighs.
ERIC: Don't you just love this time of year?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: What are some of your favourite things or family traditions that you like to do during the holidays?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Cut-out photographs of bowls of red and green Jello appear, topped with whipped cream and a mint leaf. A graphic of a television screen shows an elf pulling Santa and a wagon carrying a stack of presents.
ARIELLE: Um, I really like it because on Christmas Eve, my mom makes red and green Jello with whipped cream on top, and we watch a Christmas movie with it.
[Eric and Shakira exclaim, pop]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a turkey and five platters of cookies appear.
ARIELLE: And um, it's really fun with the turkey for dinner. We also really like gifting cookies to our neighbours, our friends. We made like about five big platters.
SHAKIRA: Wow! Gift-giving is a huge part of my own Christmas traditions. Every year on Christmas Eve, we go to my grandmother's house, and after dinner, we all exchange gifts. Is gift-giving a part of your traditions as well?
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: In a graphic, presents appear beneath a Christmas tree.
ARIELLE: Well, we just love putting gifts under the trees, and when we go to our grandma's house, well, sometimes we do gift exchanges with the whole family together.
SHAKIRA: Is there anyone in particular you want to give a gift to this year?
[Puff]
[Text Reads] B.F.F.
ARIELLE: Well, yeah, I have my best friend, Mila. Actually, I have photos of her and me in a photo booth, that we took.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle gives Shakira and Eric two strips of black-and-white photos.
SHAKIRA: These are really cool.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] So cute!
SHAKIRA: I have a great idea how we can use these to actually make a gift for Mila.
ERIC: That sounds amazing. But first, I think you need a tree.
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: There are all sorts of different kinds of Christmas trees. That's why we're going to go find out what's the most sustainable tree for you in this area. We're going to go cut down a tree and harvest a real tree at a local farm. We're going to a real tree farm.
[Text Reads] So fun! Tree farm.
SHAKIRA: Yeah!
ERIC: Ready?
[Text Reads] Let’s go!
[Lively music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At a tree farm, Richard, a Christmas tree farmer, stands beside a tractor hitched to a wagon with hay bales. He has two barns and a shed behind him. He wears eyeglasses, a black jacket, and blue jeans. Richard has a grey beard and moustache and wears the jacket hood pulled over a ball cap.
RICHARD: Come on, guys, let's go get a tree.
[Cheers]
ERIC: Yeah!
RICHARD: Hop on the wagon.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle, Shakira, and Eric climb onto the wagon and sit on hay bales behind a railing at the front of the wagon.
RICHARD: Hold on tight.
ERIC: Yeah!
[Engine rumbles, pop, whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Richard drives the tractor across a field with small trees. He drives on a path beside a line of pine trees. A graphic of a pine tree with a deer, a hedgehog, a squirrel, and a butterfly appears. A pine tree graphic absorbs C.O-2.
ERIC NARRATES: Christmas tree farms are great for other things, too. They provide refuge for local wildlife, and they absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like all trees.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Richard stops the tractor, and everyone hops off the wagon. He gives Eric a hacksaw.
RICHARD: Here's the magical tool.
ERIC: Thank you. Wow, look at these beautiful trees. And smell that.
DESCRIPTION: Eric, Arielle, and Shakira smell a tree.
ERIC: What's that smell like?
[Bells jingle, holiday music plays, bell rings]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of ornaments dangle in front of Arielle and Eric. Text on a sign nailed to a tree behind them reads, “North Pole.”
ARIELLE: Christmas!
[Shakira laughs, the music stops, crow caws]
ERIC: Christmas! This is a balsam fir. It's native to the area. It means it's been growing here for a really, really long time. And it's part of the local ecosystem.
ARIELLE: Wow.
[Upbeat music plays, pop]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a Christmas tree in a pot appears.
ERIC: There's actually another way to do Christmas trees. It's called a living Christmas tree. You get a Christmas tree in a pot still at the roots, and instead of buying it, you rent it. And when you're done with Christmas, you return the tree to the tree farm every year. And you can rent it out every year.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] That’s genius.
ERIC: Not every farm offers these living trees. So, the next best thing is to get a native species for your living room.
ARIELLE: Yeah. That's great.
ERIC: Getting a native tree from a local farm is definitely the most sustainable option; however, it's not always a possibility.
SHAKIRA: I have been having the same artificial tree since I was a baby, so it's just as sustainable.
ERIC: Very cool. Why don't we pick your Christmas tree?
[Lively music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Eric runs from tree to tree, hiding. Arielle and Shakira run to each other and shrug.
[Text Reads] Yeah!
ARIELLE: I see it, the perfect tree. That's it.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira points at a tree.
SHAKIRA: This is the perfect tree?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: You ready to cut this tree down?
ARIELLE: Yeah. Let's go.
[Saw scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: At the base of the trunk, Eric and Arielle pull the hacksaw back and forth between them.
ARIELLE: Go!
ERIC: You pull. Yeah, pull. One... Two...
[Tree rustles]
DESCRIPTION: The tree falls.
ARIELLE AND ERIC: Timber!
[Shakira cheers]
ERIC: Whoa!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle bob up and down.
[Text Reads] Green Beat.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Cut-out photographs of Eric and Shakira appear, with a Christmas tree graphic.
ERIC: Hey Shakira, what do old Christmas trees and rivers have in common?
[Squeak]
DESCRIPTION: Arrows point to the branches of the river.
SHAKIRA: Um, lots of branches?
[Bells jingle, river gurgles]
DESCRIPTION: In an animation, a Christmas tree stands on a river. In reality, the banks of a river are eroded. Text reads, “Erosion.”
ERIC: Good one. Seriously, though, Christmas trees are helping to rescue rivers. Some rivers suffered from erosion, which caused the riverbanks to wash away. Make the waters too shallow, warm and murky. The fish get pretty grumpy.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: Video footage shows a muddy river with sand banks. In animation, a fish with furrowed brows jumps out of the river. Cut-out photos of Shakira and Eric furrow their eyebrows and twist their mouths.
SHAKIRA: Yuck, I would not want to swim there either.
ERIC: Right?
[Popping, chimes, water bubbles]
DESCRIPTION: In animation, yellow trees line an eroded riverbank and the water changes from brown to blue. In reality, two smiling children splash each other in water. In animation, fish using scuba masks and snorkels swim in bubbling water.
ERIC: Tying discarded Christmas trees to the riverbank helps collect natural debris, stop erosion, and keep the water nice and deep so it would stay cool and clear. Perfect for fish to live and reproduce.
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Shakira wears a wreath with red ornaments on her head.
SHAKIRA: Now that is a tree-rific idea.
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Eric winks. In video footage, sunlight reflects off a river winding towards mountains.
ERIC: Yup. Many kilometres of rivers have been protected this way, which makes for an extra Merry Fish-mas.
[Bells jingle]
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Eric crosses his eyes and sticks out his tongue. A cut-out photo of Shakira smiles. Behind them, in animation, a fish wears a Santa hat and ornaments swing.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At the tree farm, Arielle, Eric, and Shakira run back and forth behind the trees. They stop and pose together.
[Title] Green Squad.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, she, Shakira, and Eric admire the tree.
ERIC: Wow. Isn't she beautiful?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: What do you think about it?
ARIELLE: She's perfect. Now all she needs is decorations.
ERIC: You read my mind. Actually, having an eco-friendly tree is not just about the tree you choose. It's also about what kind of decorations you put on it and what you do with it after the holidays.
[Upbeat music plays, pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of cranberries and a bucket of popcorn appear.
ERIC: Using plastic decorations is really wasteful, and sometimes it can be really hard to remove. That's why we're going to be making biodegradable decorations with cranberries and popcorn. You down?
[Puff]
[Text Reads] Yeah!
[Slide whistle, Eric gulps]
DESCRIPTION: Eric sits on the floor. Arielle and Shakira shrug at each other and sit in front of the tree. Eric eats popcorn from a bowl beside a bowl of cranberries.
[Pop]
[Text Reads] So delicious!
ERIC: All right, so we're going to use a needle and compostable thread. It's actually dental floss.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a girl flossing her teeth appears. A graphic of a needle with thread appears. Eric threads the needle with dental floss and gives it to Arielle.
ERIC: Always make sure you have an adult around when you have a sharp, you know, like this. We're going to take the dental floss, we’re going to thread it through the needle, right? And then what we're going to do is we're going to thread this needle through a popcorn, then a cranberry, a popcorn, then a cranberry. And it's going to make this beautiful white-and-red garland.
[Popcorn rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle breaks a piece of popcorn and then puts the rest on the floss.
ARIELLE: This is hard to... poke.
[Eric and Arielle chuckle]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle eats popcorn.
[Text Reads] Yum!
ARIELLE: So what do you do that's eco-friendly after you're done with your Christmas tree?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A green bin graphic appears. Everyone puts popcorn and cranberries on their string.
ERIC: In your local community, you can check what are the composting rules.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] That’s a great idea!
[Upbeat music continues, buzzer blares]
DESCRIPTION: In animation, a calendar flips to a new month. A photograph shows a tree lying on a curb. A second photo shows an ornament on a tree, and a red box outlines it. An X appears over it.
ERIC: A lot of places have specific days after the holiday when they pick up trees for composting. Make sure to remove any tinsel or decorations, but no need to worry about popcorn and cranberries.
DESCRIPTION: They create the popcorn-and-cranberry garland.
SHAKIRA: So, Arielle, what other kinds of decorations do you use on the tree?
ARIELLE: Well, we use decorations that we kept from our ancestors and our grandparents. Like this little angel, which will go well with the garland.
[Eric and Shakira exclaim]
DESCRIPTION: Ariella passes Shakira an ornament featuring an angel in a bell and a wooden nutcracker.
[Text Reads] So cute!
ARIELLE: This little nutcracker.
SHAKIRA: And you use the same ones every year?
ARIELLE: Yeah, we do.
SHAKIRA: That's great that you're reusing them. I think that they're going to look really nice with these garlands. What about you?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: Why don't we see what it looks like in your tree?
DESCRIPTION: Eric stands on a chair and puts the garland around the top, and Arielle wraps it around the middle.
[Chimes]
ERIC: Wow. Isn't she beautiful?
ARIELLE: Yeah, really.
ERIC: I love the contrast of red, white, and green.
ARIELLE: Me too, it's very pretty.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a present and wrapping paper appear.
SHAKIRA: Now it's time to tackle gifts and wrapping. We're going to take something old and turn it into something new. Are you ready to use your art skills?
ARIELLE: Great, sure!
[Branches rustle, lids clink, mellow music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Later, Shakira, Arielle, and Eric sit at a dining room table with ribbon, red and black plaid fabric, a plate of beads, glue, and metal lids.
SHAKIRA: So, to make a special gift for Mila, we're going to upcycle these mason jar lids to make an ornament. I brought some different crafting supplies. So here we have old Christmas paper and cards that I've received. And then I have some of my usual crafting supplies, like my gems and beads. These ones are actually leftover holiday decorations from the past. So we're going to combine all of these different things alongside the photo booth pictures you did.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira holds the photo strips.
ARIELLE: Great.
SHAKIRA: Does anything here catch your eye?
[Beads rattle]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle picks up the plaid fabric, a jar of beads and red and green string.
ARIELLE: Well, I really love this fabric. It's really in the theme. I think it goes very well with those little beads right here. And with the string makes a very nice contrast.
SHAKIRA: Very Christmasy, right?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
SHAKIRA: Okay, let's get to work.
ARIELLE: Great!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle traces a mason jar lid on the plaid fabric while Eric squeezes glue into another lid. Arielle cuts fabric while Eric holds ornaments against the inside of the jar lid. He picks up a snowflake that is too large and puts it back down. Arielle cuts out a photo of her and Mila and glues it against a plaid fabric background inside the lid.
SHAKIRA: I think we're about finished. Let's see everyone's.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds up two lids. One is wrapped in red fabric and features a background of burning candles. The second has a paper wreath attached to a lid with the sparkling snowflake ornament behind it.
SHAKIRA: Good job, Eric. Those are really fun.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle holds two ornaments. Each has a photo from the strip.
SHAKIRA: It's very nice! And I think Mila's gonna love this one. It's so cute. You have two, so does that mean that you're going to keep one or give her both?
ARIELLE: Yeah, we'll each keep one, and then they can go together.
SHAKIRA: That's so cute. Not only are they good for the holidays, we can also repurpose them as room decor after.
[Chime]
DESCRIPTION: The outline of a heart appears.
SHAKIRA: Okay, so now that we have the gifts made, it's time to wrap the gifts. I heard that your family does things other than wrapping paper for Christmas. Is that true?
ARIELLE: Yeah, actually, we use newspaper.
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A newspaper graphic appears.
SHAKIRA: That's awesome. I do the same thing, but I also use some alternative wrapping method as well. Do you want to see?
ARIELLE: Okay!
[Fingers snap, bells ring, Arielle gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Everyone snaps their fingers, and boxes appear on the table. A red bandana appears around Eric’s neck.
ARIELLE: It's the magic of Christmas.
SHAKIRA: It really is. We're going to use all this fun stuff to create one-of-a-kind and unique reusable gift boxes for your friends and family.
Not only is everything going to be repurposed and given a new life, but it's also something special to give people that you love.
ARIELLE: Yeah.
[Upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Eric ties the bandana around his box and adds a ribbon.
SHAKIRA: Do you have anyone in mind for the second and third boxes?
DESCRIPTION: Arielle glues a picture of Christmas ornaments to the top of her box.
ARIELLE: Yeah, I think maybe my parents, my other friends, my teachers.
DESCRIPTION: Eric wraps a box in the plaid fabric.
SHAKIRA: What would you put inside for them?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A plate of cookies graphic appears.
ARIELLE: Um, I would put cookies, little gifts, handmade gifts.
SHAKIRA: Like the homemade cookies?
ARIELLE: Yep.
SHAKIRA: Oh, that sounds like so fun. Have you ever thought about gifting someone an experience before?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of two tickets appears.
ARIELLE: Like, um, asking them to watch a movie?
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of children playing in a park and a building with columns in front appear.
SHAKIRA: Yeah. Movies, even, like things, like going to the park, or going to a museum?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
SHAKIRA: Things like that. The memory becomes the sort of gift.
[Text Reads] That’s a great idea!
SHAKIRA: Let's do a grand reveal of our final boxes.
[Chimes, Shakira sings a trumpet flourish]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira holds a box wrapped in gold ribbon and a gold bow.
ERIC: Wow, I love how gold it is!
SHAKIRA: Thank you. I tried to make this bow.
[Chimes]
ARIELLE SINGS: Da da da da da!
DESCRIPTION: Arielle lifts her box with the ornaments on the lid.
[Chimes]
ERIC SINGS: Da da da da da!
DESCRIPTION: Eric lifts his box wrapped in a bandana and the box wrapped in fabric.
SHAKIRA: Yay! I love everyone's so much. The holiday colours are really pretty. And see yours, Eric used upcycled fabric, which is great because for things like this, one with the scarf, it doubles as two gifts. The gift inside. And then the scarf becomes a second gift.
ERIC: Sure does.
ARIELLE: I really like your bow.
SHAKIRA: Thank you.
ERIC: All right, time to put the gifts under the tree.
DESCRIPTION: They pick up their boxes and leave the table.
ARIELLE: Okay.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle bob up and down.
[Text Reads] Green Beat.
[Rock music plays]
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Shakira wears a graphic of a magician’s top hat. Beside her is a graphic of an overflowing trash can, with bags and debris.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: There's a new movement that aims to help artists turn trash into treasure.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: A magic wand touches the trash can graphic, and it turns into a treasure chest full of jewels and gold coins. The cut-out photograph of Shakira has an open mouth and wide eyes.
[Beeps]
[Text reads] Creative Re-use.
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a glue gun, tubes, scissors, a paintbrush, a pin cushion, glue bottles, and measuring tape appear. In front of a background of loose beads in bins, Shakira holds a sign with text that reads, “Yes…we are open. Welcome.” A photograph features someone drawing on a plastic water bottle. Later, that water bottle is a plant holder with the side cut open, pebbles on the bottom, and two small potted cacti inside. A cut-out photograph of Shakira smiles.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: It's called Creative Re-use. And it's like thrifting, but for arts and craft supplies. Cool new stores selling cool old things are helping people make magical transformations with items that might otherwise be headed for the landfill.
[Chimes, popping]
DESCRIPTION: Corks transform into a Christmas tree-shaped decoration, computer floppy discs transform into a planter, and an empty wine bottle holds incense. Photographs show crayons, paint jars, thread, a pin cushion, and a small cart with scissors, watercolour paint, and pencil crayons.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: These stores collect things like corks, computer disks, glass bottles, and use craft supplies like yarn, crayons, paint, and even school supplies. They sell them for really cheap, so we can transform them into fabulous works of art.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: A girl paints a papier-mache unicorn. Photographs feature a girl holding a wreath of paper flowers and green paper rings. A boy holds a box with blue straws for hair, small yellow balls for eyes, and a white, round piece of plastic for a mouth. A girl wearing a tiara, a striped shirt, and a pink tulle skirt waves a wand, and metal cans transform into colourful flowerpots.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: They're popping up everywhere and are great for getting your creative juices flowing. Sometimes, all it takes to make eco magic is imagination.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In a backyard, Arielle, Shakira, and Eric run towards a camera and pose. Arielle and Shakira wave, and Eric puts his arms around both.
[Title] Green Squad.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Upbeat music plays, hands clap]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, Eric, Arielle, and Shakira put their wrapped presents under the tree. Eric rubs his hands together.
ERIC: Wow, look at our Christmas tree.
ARIELLE: I really, really loved going to this Christmas tree farm with you guys and picking out the perfect tree. I also really like doing the decorations.
SHAKIRA: And you think you're going to upcycle any of these decorations?
ARIELLE: Yeah, probably, because I love so much crafting and making the new decorations.
ERIC: Arielle, we've had a super, super fun time with you today. We'll be checking in in a couple of weeks to see how your Christmas decorations turn out.
SHAKIRA: And see if Mila liked her gift.
ARIELLE: Great.
ARIELLE: Wait, before you go, I would like to have a picture.
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds a camera and takes a photo of him, Arielle, and Shakira in front of the tree.
ERIC: Three. Two. One. Cheese!
[Camera shutter snaps, pops]
[Text Reads] Bye! Okay, bye!
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Everyone waves, and Eric and Shakira leave. Arielle holds the picture and speaks to us. A lightbulb outline appears above the photo.
ARIELLE: Actually, I have an idea, a little surprise for the squad.
[Upbeat music plays]
[Text Reads] Check-In.
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad dances.
DESCRIPTION: In the Green Squad headquarters, Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle sit by the table with a tablet.
ERIC: Let's see how Arielle's Christmas tree turned out.
[Light music plays]
VIA THE TABLET, ARIELLE: Hey, Squad, are you ready to see the tree?
SHAKIRA: I am.
ERIC: Yes!
[Chimes, musical flourish plays]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, the lights are dimmed, and colourful lights glow on the decorated Christmas tree.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, LISA: It looks amazing!
DESCRIPTION: A flashback shows Shakira threading popcorn on the dental floss. Arielle smiles and eats popcorn.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So the garlands we made are look really pretty. Though sometimes I'm kind of tempted to eat a few popcorn.
[Eric cackles]
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Eric taught you that.
DESCRIPTION: In her living room, Arielle gestures at a white fabric wreath with pinecones, fabric leaves, and ribbons on the tree.
ARIELLE: This is another homemade decoration I made. So, it's a wreath. So here there's the fabric which is being used. The pinecones, the leaves.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: That looks like it's straight from the store.
ERIC: That's so good.
DESCRIPTION: In front of her tree, Arielle sits cross-legged with Mila and gives her the box with the ornaments on top.
ARIELLE: So, Mila, this year I decided to give you a gift. Stuff that you can do in the future.
MILA: Cool!
DESCRIPTION: Mila opens the box, and a party coupon lies on top.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, ERIC AND LISA: Whoa!
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So, they're coupons for where we can do activities together.
[Text Reads] That’s so cool.
[Pops, coupons rustle]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of hands holding mugs appears. A graphic of a mug of hot chocolate with a candy cane, cinnamon sticks, and whipped cream appears. Mila looks at the ornament with the photo inside.
ARIELLE: There could be a tea party. And we could go get a hot chocolate.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Oh, it looks so cute.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: I made ornaments for you, for your tree.
MILA: Oh, that's so sweet. Thank you.
ARIELLE: You're welcome.
DESCRIPTION: Mila and Arielle hug.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Oh, she loved it. Gifting experiences are so cool because of the memories and the experience as a whole. And it's just something beautiful to look back on.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So Eric and Shakira, I had so much fun with you guys that I was really inspired. And I decided to make a little surprise.
[Green Squad exclaims]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle touches an ornament on her tree. The photograph she took with Eric and Shakira is decorated with a Santa hat on top and has a small heart in the corner.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: It looks so cute. That's a Polaroid we took with her. And I love it so much.
DESCRIPTION: Eric makes a heart shape with his fingers.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: It makes me feel really great that I made all those nice homemade decorations because I really like having a green Christmas.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, LISA: Often during Christmas and the holiday season, there's a lot of unnecessary waste. So, these are all great ideas and great ways that she was able to have a green Christmas.
SHAKIRA: Yeah.
ERIC: And I think you can spend your time during the holidays with like a warmer heart because you're really doing something great for the environment.
KYLE: Of course, this isn't just about Christmas, right? This is any holiday that you can make more eco-friendly.
ERIC: I really love the concept of a living tree. And maybe Arielle, you can explore with your family, maybe doing a living tree next year. Speaking about living trees, I've got my own mini living tree.
[Cymbals crash, everyone exclaims]
DESCRIPTION: Eric reaches behind the couch and picks up a potted plant decorated with metal drink tabs on strings. The top features a photo of the Green Squad.
KYLE: I love the decorations on it. And what kind of tree is that?
[Chimes, paper crinkles]
ERIC: It's actually not a tree. It's a rosemary plant. It's an herb that you can use in cooking. And as a decoration. And hopefully, after Christmas, Lisa can use it in her cooking.
LISA: Yeah. Perfect. It's our very own green tree.
SHAKIRA: Merry Christmas.
ERIC: And a Happy Holidays.
[Text Reads] Go Arielle!
[Upbeat music plays]
[End credits] The Squad: Eric Arsenault, Shakira Botticelli, Kyle Meagher, Lisa Pryce. Creator and Executive Producer: Jonathan Finklestein. Producer: Stephanie Blanshay. Director: Florence M. Rosalie. Writer: Emilie Moorhouse. Executive Producer, T.V.O. Kids: Kirsten Hurd. Production Executive, T.V.O. Kids: Aaron Bala.
An Apartment 11 Production.
CHILD: Whee!
[Logo] T.V.O. Kids.
[Child giggles, squeak]
DESCRIPTION: A blue eye peers out of the Apartment Eleven Productions logo.
[Logo] Apartment Eleven Productions.
Descriptive Text
CHILD: Wheee!
[Child giggles, pop, playful music plays]
[Logo] T.V.O. Kids Original.
[Rock music plays]
DESCRIPTION: On a screen with a play bar at the bottom, Arielle sits at a desk. She has long brown hair and wears a grey sweater. Behind her is a bulletin board with photographs, and on the wall are sketches and drawings.
ARIELLE: Hi, Green Squad, my name is Arielle, and I'm ten years old.
DESCRIPTION: In the Green Squad headquarters, Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle sit around a small table with a tablet propped up on it.
GREEN SQUAD: Hi, Arielle!
DESCRIPTION: In front of a wood stove, Arielle dances. A canvas on an easel features muted colours. Arielle’s drawings include a detailed zebra head, a portrait of a woman, and a dragon.
ARIELLE: I love dancing, painting, drawing.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a Christmas tree appears. Pictures of a plastic duck toy, ornaments and garland, and wrapped presents appear. A graphic of two stuffed garbage bags appears.
ARIELLE: My family and I celebrate Christmas. We try to have green Christmases, but it's hard with the plastic toys, the plastic decorations and the wrapping paper, which always gets thrown out at the end.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, KYLE: Ton of fun, but ton of garbage.
[Bells jingle]
DESCRIPTION: At her desk, Arielle draws a Christmas tree beside a sketch of an ice cream cone. In animation, stockings, presents, candy canes, and ornaments appear around Arielle’s Christmas tree drawing.
ARIELLE: I want to make our celebrations more green while keeping up the holiday spirits.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, ERIC: No green Christmas is complete without a sustainable tree, and I know the perfect place to find one.
[Hand smacks]
DESCRIPTION: Eric hits the back of his hand against his palm.
SHAKIRA: I'm dreaming of a green Christmas with cute handmade decorations. Count me in.
DESCRIPTION: In her room, Arielle sits at her desk.
[Typing]
[Text Reads] Squad, help me out!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad smiles.
[Text reads] Lisa.
DESCRIPTION: Lisa wears a red blouse and has her long brown hair tightly braided. She holds a reusable shopping bag and smiles. Graphics of food, a light bulb with a plug, and a shopping bag fly out of her bag.
[Text reads] Kyle.
DESCRIPTION: Kyle holds a red backpack. His dark brown hair reaches beneath his ears. Graphics of a bicycle, a skateboard, shoes, and a truck appear.
[Text reads] Shakira.
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, a girl with long black hair, turns. She wears a sleeveless black shirt and a white skirt. Graphics of a sewing machine, scissors, and safety pins appear.
[Text reads] Eric.
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds a long work bag and smiles. His short black hair is straight, and he wears a blue t-shirt and brown overalls. Graphics of a fence, gardening tools, a wheelbarrow, and a watering can appear. The Green Squad dances.
[Text reads] T.V.O. Kids presents. An Apartment Eleven Production.
[Title] Green Squad.
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad poses together.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Upbeat music plays, Eric and Shakira knock]
DESCRIPTION: Eric and Shakira walk to Arielle’s front door, and she opens it, with her brother and her parents behind her.
[Text Reads] Hi! Hi Squad!
SHAKIRA: I'm Shakira.
ERIC: And I'm Eric.
[Typing]
DESCRIPTION: Leo has short brown hair, a beard, and a moustache. He wears a grey shirt. Jaqueline has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears a coral long-sleeve shirt. Émile has short brown hair and wears a grey T-shirt.
ARIELLE: These are my parents, Leo and Jaqueline. And this is my brother, Émile.
SHAKIRA: Nice to meet you all.
DESCRIPTION: Jaqueline gestures for Eric and Shakira to enter.
JAQUELINE: Welcome, squad.
ARIELLE: Come in!
SHAKIRA: Thank you!
[Hands smack, upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In the living room, Eric, Shakira and Arielle sit on a couch. Eric lifts his hands and then drops them on his thighs.
ERIC: Don't you just love this time of year?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: What are some of your favourite things or family traditions that you like to do during the holidays?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Cut-out photographs of bowls of red and green Jello appear, topped with whipped cream and a mint leaf. A graphic of a television screen shows an elf pulling Santa and a wagon carrying a stack of presents.
ARIELLE: Um, I really like it because on Christmas Eve, my mom makes red and green Jello with whipped cream on top, and we watch a Christmas movie with it.
[Eric and Shakira exclaim, pop]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a turkey and five platters of cookies appear.
ARIELLE: And um, it's really fun with the turkey for dinner. We also really like gifting cookies to our neighbours, our friends. We made like about five big platters.
SHAKIRA: Wow! Gift-giving is a huge part of my own Christmas traditions. Every year on Christmas Eve, we go to my grandmother's house, and after dinner, we all exchange gifts. Is gift-giving a part of your traditions as well?
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: In a graphic, presents appear beneath a Christmas tree.
ARIELLE: Well, we just love putting gifts under the trees, and when we go to our grandma's house, well, sometimes we do gift exchanges with the whole family together.
SHAKIRA: Is there anyone in particular you want to give a gift to this year?
[Puff]
[Text Reads] B.F.F.
ARIELLE: Well, yeah, I have my best friend, Mila. Actually, I have photos of her and me in a photo booth, that we took.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle gives Shakira and Eric two strips of black-and-white photos.
SHAKIRA: These are really cool.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] So cute!
SHAKIRA: I have a great idea how we can use these to actually make a gift for Mila.
ERIC: That sounds amazing. But first, I think you need a tree.
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: There are all sorts of different kinds of Christmas trees. That's why we're going to go find out what's the most sustainable tree for you in this area. We're going to go cut down a tree and harvest a real tree at a local farm. We're going to a real tree farm.
[Text Reads] So fun! Tree farm.
SHAKIRA: Yeah!
ERIC: Ready?
[Text Reads] Let’s go!
[Lively music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At a tree farm, Richard, a Christmas tree farmer, stands beside a tractor hitched to a wagon with hay bales. He has two barns and a shed behind him. He wears eyeglasses, a black jacket, and blue jeans. Richard has a grey beard and moustache and wears the jacket hood pulled over a ball cap.
RICHARD: Come on, guys, let's go get a tree.
[Cheers]
ERIC: Yeah!
RICHARD: Hop on the wagon.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle, Shakira, and Eric climb onto the wagon and sit on hay bales behind a railing at the front of the wagon.
RICHARD: Hold on tight.
ERIC: Yeah!
[Engine rumbles, pop, whoosh]
DESCRIPTION: Richard drives the tractor across a field with small trees. He drives on a path beside a line of pine trees. A graphic of a pine tree with a deer, a hedgehog, a squirrel, and a butterfly appears. A pine tree graphic absorbs C.O-2.
ERIC NARRATES: Christmas tree farms are great for other things, too. They provide refuge for local wildlife, and they absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like all trees.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Richard stops the tractor, and everyone hops off the wagon. He gives Eric a hacksaw.
RICHARD: Here's the magical tool.
ERIC: Thank you. Wow, look at these beautiful trees. And smell that.
DESCRIPTION: Eric, Arielle, and Shakira smell a tree.
ERIC: What's that smell like?
[Bells jingle, holiday music plays, bell rings]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of ornaments dangle in front of Arielle and Eric. Text on a sign nailed to a tree behind them reads, “North Pole.”
ARIELLE: Christmas!
[Shakira laughs, the music stops, crow caws]
ERIC: Christmas! This is a balsam fir. It's native to the area. It means it's been growing here for a really, really long time. And it's part of the local ecosystem.
ARIELLE: Wow.
[Upbeat music plays, pop]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a Christmas tree in a pot appears.
ERIC: There's actually another way to do Christmas trees. It's called a living Christmas tree. You get a Christmas tree in a pot still at the roots, and instead of buying it, you rent it. And when you're done with Christmas, you return the tree to the tree farm every year. And you can rent it out every year.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] That’s genius.
ERIC: Not every farm offers these living trees. So, the next best thing is to get a native species for your living room.
ARIELLE: Yeah. That's great.
ERIC: Getting a native tree from a local farm is definitely the most sustainable option; however, it's not always a possibility.
SHAKIRA: I have been having the same artificial tree since I was a baby, so it's just as sustainable.
ERIC: Very cool. Why don't we pick your Christmas tree?
[Lively music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Eric runs from tree to tree, hiding. Arielle and Shakira run to each other and shrug.
[Text Reads] Yeah!
ARIELLE: I see it, the perfect tree. That's it.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira points at a tree.
SHAKIRA: This is the perfect tree?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: You ready to cut this tree down?
ARIELLE: Yeah. Let's go.
[Saw scrapes]
DESCRIPTION: At the base of the trunk, Eric and Arielle pull the hacksaw back and forth between them.
ARIELLE: Go!
ERIC: You pull. Yeah, pull. One... Two...
[Tree rustles]
DESCRIPTION: The tree falls.
ARIELLE AND ERIC: Timber!
[Shakira cheers]
ERIC: Whoa!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle bob up and down.
[Text Reads] Green Beat.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Cut-out photographs of Eric and Shakira appear, with a Christmas tree graphic.
ERIC: Hey Shakira, what do old Christmas trees and rivers have in common?
[Squeak]
DESCRIPTION: Arrows point to the branches of the river.
SHAKIRA: Um, lots of branches?
[Bells jingle, river gurgles]
DESCRIPTION: In an animation, a Christmas tree stands on a river. In reality, the banks of a river are eroded. Text reads, “Erosion.”
ERIC: Good one. Seriously, though, Christmas trees are helping to rescue rivers. Some rivers suffered from erosion, which caused the riverbanks to wash away. Make the waters too shallow, warm and murky. The fish get pretty grumpy.
[Water splashes]
DESCRIPTION: Video footage shows a muddy river with sand banks. In animation, a fish with furrowed brows jumps out of the river. Cut-out photos of Shakira and Eric furrow their eyebrows and twist their mouths.
SHAKIRA: Yuck, I would not want to swim there either.
ERIC: Right?
[Popping, chimes, water bubbles]
DESCRIPTION: In animation, yellow trees line an eroded riverbank and the water changes from brown to blue. In reality, two smiling children splash each other in water. In animation, fish using scuba masks and snorkels swim in bubbling water.
ERIC: Tying discarded Christmas trees to the riverbank helps collect natural debris, stop erosion, and keep the water nice and deep so it would stay cool and clear. Perfect for fish to live and reproduce.
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Shakira wears a wreath with red ornaments on her head.
SHAKIRA: Now that is a tree-rific idea.
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Eric winks. In video footage, sunlight reflects off a river winding towards mountains.
ERIC: Yup. Many kilometres of rivers have been protected this way, which makes for an extra Merry Fish-mas.
[Bells jingle]
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Eric crosses his eyes and sticks out his tongue. A cut-out photo of Shakira smiles. Behind them, in animation, a fish wears a Santa hat and ornaments swing.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: At the tree farm, Arielle, Eric, and Shakira run back and forth behind the trees. They stop and pose together.
[Title] Green Squad.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, she, Shakira, and Eric admire the tree.
ERIC: Wow. Isn't she beautiful?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: What do you think about it?
ARIELLE: She's perfect. Now all she needs is decorations.
ERIC: You read my mind. Actually, having an eco-friendly tree is not just about the tree you choose. It's also about what kind of decorations you put on it and what you do with it after the holidays.
[Upbeat music plays, pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of cranberries and a bucket of popcorn appear.
ERIC: Using plastic decorations is really wasteful, and sometimes it can be really hard to remove. That's why we're going to be making biodegradable decorations with cranberries and popcorn. You down?
[Puff]
[Text Reads] Yeah!
[Slide whistle, Eric gulps]
DESCRIPTION: Eric sits on the floor. Arielle and Shakira shrug at each other and sit in front of the tree. Eric eats popcorn from a bowl beside a bowl of cranberries.
[Pop]
[Text Reads] So delicious!
ERIC: All right, so we're going to use a needle and compostable thread. It's actually dental floss.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of a girl flossing her teeth appears. A graphic of a needle with thread appears. Eric threads the needle with dental floss and gives it to Arielle.
ERIC: Always make sure you have an adult around when you have a sharp, you know, like this. We're going to take the dental floss, we’re going to thread it through the needle, right? And then what we're going to do is we're going to thread this needle through a popcorn, then a cranberry, a popcorn, then a cranberry. And it's going to make this beautiful white-and-red garland.
[Popcorn rustles]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle breaks a piece of popcorn and then puts the rest on the floss.
ARIELLE: This is hard to... poke.
[Eric and Arielle chuckle]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle eats popcorn.
[Text Reads] Yum!
ARIELLE: So what do you do that's eco-friendly after you're done with your Christmas tree?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A green bin graphic appears. Everyone puts popcorn and cranberries on their string.
ERIC: In your local community, you can check what are the composting rules.
[Puff]
[Text Reads] That’s a great idea!
[Upbeat music continues, buzzer blares]
DESCRIPTION: In animation, a calendar flips to a new month. A photograph shows a tree lying on a curb. A second photo shows an ornament on a tree, and a red box outlines it. An X appears over it.
ERIC: A lot of places have specific days after the holiday when they pick up trees for composting. Make sure to remove any tinsel or decorations, but no need to worry about popcorn and cranberries.
DESCRIPTION: They create the popcorn-and-cranberry garland.
SHAKIRA: So, Arielle, what other kinds of decorations do you use on the tree?
ARIELLE: Well, we use decorations that we kept from our ancestors and our grandparents. Like this little angel, which will go well with the garland.
[Eric and Shakira exclaim]
DESCRIPTION: Ariella passes Shakira an ornament featuring an angel in a bell and a wooden nutcracker.
[Text Reads] So cute!
ARIELLE: This little nutcracker.
SHAKIRA: And you use the same ones every year?
ARIELLE: Yeah, we do.
SHAKIRA: That's great that you're reusing them. I think that they're going to look really nice with these garlands. What about you?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
ERIC: Why don't we see what it looks like in your tree?
DESCRIPTION: Eric stands on a chair and puts the garland around the top, and Arielle wraps it around the middle.
[Chimes]
ERIC: Wow. Isn't she beautiful?
ARIELLE: Yeah, really.
ERIC: I love the contrast of red, white, and green.
ARIELLE: Me too, it's very pretty.
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a present and wrapping paper appear.
SHAKIRA: Now it's time to tackle gifts and wrapping. We're going to take something old and turn it into something new. Are you ready to use your art skills?
ARIELLE: Great, sure!
[Branches rustle, lids clink, mellow music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Later, Shakira, Arielle, and Eric sit at a dining room table with ribbon, red and black plaid fabric, a plate of beads, glue, and metal lids.
SHAKIRA: So, to make a special gift for Mila, we're going to upcycle these mason jar lids to make an ornament. I brought some different crafting supplies. So here we have old Christmas paper and cards that I've received. And then I have some of my usual crafting supplies, like my gems and beads. These ones are actually leftover holiday decorations from the past. So we're going to combine all of these different things alongside the photo booth pictures you did.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira holds the photo strips.
ARIELLE: Great.
SHAKIRA: Does anything here catch your eye?
[Beads rattle]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle picks up the plaid fabric, a jar of beads and red and green string.
ARIELLE: Well, I really love this fabric. It's really in the theme. I think it goes very well with those little beads right here. And with the string makes a very nice contrast.
SHAKIRA: Very Christmasy, right?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
SHAKIRA: Okay, let's get to work.
ARIELLE: Great!
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle traces a mason jar lid on the plaid fabric while Eric squeezes glue into another lid. Arielle cuts fabric while Eric holds ornaments against the inside of the jar lid. He picks up a snowflake that is too large and puts it back down. Arielle cuts out a photo of her and Mila and glues it against a plaid fabric background inside the lid.
SHAKIRA: I think we're about finished. Let's see everyone's.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds up two lids. One is wrapped in red fabric and features a background of burning candles. The second has a paper wreath attached to a lid with the sparkling snowflake ornament behind it.
SHAKIRA: Good job, Eric. Those are really fun.
DESCRIPTION: Arielle holds two ornaments. Each has a photo from the strip.
SHAKIRA: It's very nice! And I think Mila's gonna love this one. It's so cute. You have two, so does that mean that you're going to keep one or give her both?
ARIELLE: Yeah, we'll each keep one, and then they can go together.
SHAKIRA: That's so cute. Not only are they good for the holidays, we can also repurpose them as room decor after.
[Chime]
DESCRIPTION: The outline of a heart appears.
SHAKIRA: Okay, so now that we have the gifts made, it's time to wrap the gifts. I heard that your family does things other than wrapping paper for Christmas. Is that true?
ARIELLE: Yeah, actually, we use newspaper.
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A newspaper graphic appears.
SHAKIRA: That's awesome. I do the same thing, but I also use some alternative wrapping method as well. Do you want to see?
ARIELLE: Okay!
[Fingers snap, bells ring, Arielle gasps]
DESCRIPTION: Everyone snaps their fingers, and boxes appear on the table. A red bandana appears around Eric’s neck.
ARIELLE: It's the magic of Christmas.
SHAKIRA: It really is. We're going to use all this fun stuff to create one-of-a-kind and unique reusable gift boxes for your friends and family.
Not only is everything going to be repurposed and given a new life, but it's also something special to give people that you love.
ARIELLE: Yeah.
[Upbeat music continues]
DESCRIPTION: Eric ties the bandana around his box and adds a ribbon.
SHAKIRA: Do you have anyone in mind for the second and third boxes?
DESCRIPTION: Arielle glues a picture of Christmas ornaments to the top of her box.
ARIELLE: Yeah, I think maybe my parents, my other friends, my teachers.
DESCRIPTION: Eric wraps a box in the plaid fabric.
SHAKIRA: What would you put inside for them?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A plate of cookies graphic appears.
ARIELLE: Um, I would put cookies, little gifts, handmade gifts.
SHAKIRA: Like the homemade cookies?
ARIELLE: Yep.
SHAKIRA: Oh, that sounds like so fun. Have you ever thought about gifting someone an experience before?
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of two tickets appears.
ARIELLE: Like, um, asking them to watch a movie?
[Pops]
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of children playing in a park and a building with columns in front appear.
SHAKIRA: Yeah. Movies, even, like things, like going to the park, or going to a museum?
ARIELLE: Yeah.
SHAKIRA: Things like that. The memory becomes the sort of gift.
[Text Reads] That’s a great idea!
SHAKIRA: Let's do a grand reveal of our final boxes.
[Chimes, Shakira sings a trumpet flourish]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira holds a box wrapped in gold ribbon and a gold bow.
ERIC: Wow, I love how gold it is!
SHAKIRA: Thank you. I tried to make this bow.
[Chimes]
ARIELLE SINGS: Da da da da da!
DESCRIPTION: Arielle lifts her box with the ornaments on the lid.
[Chimes]
ERIC SINGS: Da da da da da!
DESCRIPTION: Eric lifts his box wrapped in a bandana and the box wrapped in fabric.
SHAKIRA: Yay! I love everyone's so much. The holiday colours are really pretty. And see yours, Eric used upcycled fabric, which is great because for things like this, one with the scarf, it doubles as two gifts. The gift inside. And then the scarf becomes a second gift.
ERIC: Sure does.
ARIELLE: I really like your bow.
SHAKIRA: Thank you.
ERIC: All right, time to put the gifts under the tree.
DESCRIPTION: They pick up their boxes and leave the table.
ARIELLE: Okay.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle bob up and down.
[Text Reads] Green Beat.
[Rock music plays]
DESCRIPTION: A cut-out photograph of Shakira wears a graphic of a magician’s top hat. Beside her is a graphic of an overflowing trash can, with bags and debris.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: There's a new movement that aims to help artists turn trash into treasure.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: A magic wand touches the trash can graphic, and it turns into a treasure chest full of jewels and gold coins. The cut-out photograph of Shakira has an open mouth and wide eyes.
[Beeps]
[Text reads] Creative Re-use.
DESCRIPTION: Graphics of a glue gun, tubes, scissors, a paintbrush, a pin cushion, glue bottles, and measuring tape appear. In front of a background of loose beads in bins, Shakira holds a sign with text that reads, “Yes…we are open. Welcome.” A photograph features someone drawing on a plastic water bottle. Later, that water bottle is a plant holder with the side cut open, pebbles on the bottom, and two small potted cacti inside. A cut-out photograph of Shakira smiles.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: It's called Creative Re-use. And it's like thrifting, but for arts and craft supplies. Cool new stores selling cool old things are helping people make magical transformations with items that might otherwise be headed for the landfill.
[Chimes, popping]
DESCRIPTION: Corks transform into a Christmas tree-shaped decoration, computer floppy discs transform into a planter, and an empty wine bottle holds incense. Photographs show crayons, paint jars, thread, a pin cushion, and a small cart with scissors, watercolour paint, and pencil crayons.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: These stores collect things like corks, computer disks, glass bottles, and use craft supplies like yarn, crayons, paint, and even school supplies. They sell them for really cheap, so we can transform them into fabulous works of art.
[Chimes]
DESCRIPTION: A girl paints a papier-mache unicorn. Photographs feature a girl holding a wreath of paper flowers and green paper rings. A boy holds a box with blue straws for hair, small yellow balls for eyes, and a white, round piece of plastic for a mouth. A girl wearing a tiara, a striped shirt, and a pink tulle skirt waves a wand, and metal cans transform into colourful flowerpots.
SHAKIRA NARRATES: They're popping up everywhere and are great for getting your creative juices flowing. Sometimes, all it takes to make eco magic is imagination.
[Upbeat music plays]
DESCRIPTION: In a backyard, Arielle, Shakira, and Eric run towards a camera and pose. Arielle and Shakira wave, and Eric puts his arms around both.
[Title] Green Squad.
ELECTRONIC VOICE: Green Squad.
[Upbeat music plays, hands clap]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, Eric, Arielle, and Shakira put their wrapped presents under the tree. Eric rubs his hands together.
ERIC: Wow, look at our Christmas tree.
ARIELLE: I really, really loved going to this Christmas tree farm with you guys and picking out the perfect tree. I also really like doing the decorations.
SHAKIRA: And you think you're going to upcycle any of these decorations?
ARIELLE: Yeah, probably, because I love so much crafting and making the new decorations.
ERIC: Arielle, we've had a super, super fun time with you today. We'll be checking in in a couple of weeks to see how your Christmas decorations turn out.
SHAKIRA: And see if Mila liked her gift.
ARIELLE: Great.
ARIELLE: Wait, before you go, I would like to have a picture.
DESCRIPTION: Eric holds a camera and takes a photo of him, Arielle, and Shakira in front of the tree.
ERIC: Three. Two. One. Cheese!
[Camera shutter snaps, pops]
[Text Reads] Bye! Okay, bye!
[Pop]
DESCRIPTION: Everyone waves, and Eric and Shakira leave. Arielle holds the picture and speaks to us. A lightbulb outline appears above the photo.
ARIELLE: Actually, I have an idea, a little surprise for the squad.
[Upbeat music plays]
[Text Reads] Check-In.
DESCRIPTION: The Green Squad dances.
DESCRIPTION: In the Green Squad headquarters, Shakira, Eric, Lisa, and Kyle sit by the table with a tablet.
ERIC: Let's see how Arielle's Christmas tree turned out.
[Light music plays]
VIA THE TABLET, ARIELLE: Hey, Squad, are you ready to see the tree?
SHAKIRA: I am.
ERIC: Yes!
[Chimes, musical flourish plays]
DESCRIPTION: In Arielle’s living room, the lights are dimmed, and colourful lights glow on the decorated Christmas tree.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, LISA: It looks amazing!
DESCRIPTION: A flashback shows Shakira threading popcorn on the dental floss. Arielle smiles and eats popcorn.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So the garlands we made are look really pretty. Though sometimes I'm kind of tempted to eat a few popcorn.
[Eric cackles]
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Eric taught you that.
DESCRIPTION: In her living room, Arielle gestures at a white fabric wreath with pinecones, fabric leaves, and ribbons on the tree.
ARIELLE: This is another homemade decoration I made. So, it's a wreath. So here there's the fabric which is being used. The pinecones, the leaves.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: That looks like it's straight from the store.
ERIC: That's so good.
DESCRIPTION: In front of her tree, Arielle sits cross-legged with Mila and gives her the box with the ornaments on top.
ARIELLE: So, Mila, this year I decided to give you a gift. Stuff that you can do in the future.
MILA: Cool!
DESCRIPTION: Mila opens the box, and a party coupon lies on top.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, ERIC AND LISA: Whoa!
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So, they're coupons for where we can do activities together.
[Text Reads] That’s so cool.
[Pops, coupons rustle]
DESCRIPTION: A graphic of hands holding mugs appears. A graphic of a mug of hot chocolate with a candy cane, cinnamon sticks, and whipped cream appears. Mila looks at the ornament with the photo inside.
ARIELLE: There could be a tea party. And we could go get a hot chocolate.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Oh, it looks so cute.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: I made ornaments for you, for your tree.
MILA: Oh, that's so sweet. Thank you.
ARIELLE: You're welcome.
DESCRIPTION: Mila and Arielle hug.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: Oh, she loved it. Gifting experiences are so cool because of the memories and the experience as a whole. And it's just something beautiful to look back on.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: So Eric and Shakira, I had so much fun with you guys that I was really inspired. And I decided to make a little surprise.
[Green Squad exclaims]
DESCRIPTION: Arielle touches an ornament on her tree. The photograph she took with Eric and Shakira is decorated with a Santa hat on top and has a small heart in the corner.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, SHAKIRA: It looks so cute. That's a Polaroid we took with her. And I love it so much.
DESCRIPTION: Eric makes a heart shape with his fingers.
IN HER LIVING ROOM, ARIELLE: It makes me feel really great that I made all those nice homemade decorations because I really like having a green Christmas.
IN GREEN SQUAD HEADQUARTERS, LISA: Often during Christmas and the holiday season, there's a lot of unnecessary waste. So, these are all great ideas and great ways that she was able to have a green Christmas.
SHAKIRA: Yeah.
ERIC: And I think you can spend your time during the holidays with like a warmer heart because you're really doing something great for the environment.
KYLE: Of course, this isn't just about Christmas, right? This is any holiday that you can make more eco-friendly.
ERIC: I really love the concept of a living tree. And maybe Arielle, you can explore with your family, maybe doing a living tree next year. Speaking about living trees, I've got my own mini living tree.
[Cymbals crash, everyone exclaims]
DESCRIPTION: Eric reaches behind the couch and picks up a potted plant decorated with metal drink tabs on strings. The top features a photo of the Green Squad.
KYLE: I love the decorations on it. And what kind of tree is that?
[Chimes, paper crinkles]
ERIC: It's actually not a tree. It's a rosemary plant. It's an herb that you can use in cooking. And as a decoration. And hopefully, after Christmas, Lisa can use it in her cooking.
LISA: Yeah. Perfect. It's our very own green tree.
SHAKIRA: Merry Christmas.
ERIC: And a Happy Holidays.
[Text Reads] Go Arielle!
[Upbeat music plays]
[End credits] The Squad: Eric Arsenault, Shakira Botticelli, Kyle Meagher, Lisa Pryce. Creator and Executive Producer: Jonathan Finklestein. Producer: Stephanie Blanshay. Director: Florence M. Rosalie. Writer: Emilie Moorhouse. Executive Producer, T.V.O. Kids: Kirsten Hurd. Production Executive, T.V.O. Kids: Aaron Bala.
An Apartment 11 Production.
CHILD: Whee!
[Logo] T.V.O. Kids.
[Child giggles, squeak]
DESCRIPTION: A blue eye peers out of the Apartment Eleven Productions logo.
[Logo] Apartment Eleven Productions.
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