Dear Planet Earth at christmas (Warning: might bring your festive spirit down)

[Lenny]

Dear Planet Earth (the same Earth my children will inherit),

I'm really sorry that in a few weeks time you will be dealing with hundreds and thousands of ridiculous plastic toys that are thrown away in the rubbish - cheap junk that someone bought just to satisfy some social construct. Thousands of rubbish presents that adults gave each other in 'Secret Santa/Kris Kringle' at work. And all the associated packaging.

I'm not perfect. But I am proud of the choices I have made this christmas. Some beautiful clothing gifts made by other SAHMs. Food gifts, homemade kids costumes.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Try to help the planet out a little bit though - don't just buy for the sake of it. It doesn't show the other person that you love them the most - it shows the rest of us that you don't care about the world we live in.

Show some respect and some restraint. And then be proud.

[chody47]

I think this is a good point (as I'm sitting looking at some useless items I was given last year...)

[Astrid]

Brilliant points - I am completely over buying for the sake of buying. Trying to do better this year with buying what is more of a need, than a frivolous want.

[Phteven]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Relevant I think.

I've been trying to declutter my children's toys. I feel kind of sorry for them - their extended family give them so much junk they're drowning in it.

[luna moth]

I'm with you

[sangie]

Agree 10,000%. If only I could get the IL's to agree

[onthefly]

Love it.
Thanks Lenny

[Deedles]

I think about the environment when there are small or large events or other occasions!

Like Christmas, Australia Day and NYE etc....for example.

With Christmas even the amount of wrapping paper we use is incredible.

This year I am making gifts for my kids, nieces and nephews using recycled bottles, fabrics, crafts etc. I have a feeling they will enjoy these gifts way more than a plastic car from a cheap shop that will fall to pieces in 5 mins.

[Mummy&Daddy2Be]

i say xmas only comes around once a year. make the most of it unwanted gifts can just be regifted

[onthefly]

M&D I think you're missing the point

[~TT40~]

good point, its something to think about

[Lenny]

Deleted post (What's the point in trying?)

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Deleted post (What's the point in trying?)

Because you can educate and change the mind set of people who are unaware of sustainable development, that meets the needs of the current generation without comprising those of future generations.

I'm conscience of my impact on the environment so that I can give my future children the same quality of living that I've been fortunate to enjoy.

[Phteven]

Re the wrapping paper.... I try to use green shopping bags, tea towels, sarongs etc. So I give small fabric gift as well as the gift. Tea towels with nice ribbon look surprisingly festive.
I know some people use the art that their children bring home through the year rather than buying paper.

[lilima]

Yep- i'mwith Onyx- tea towels, green shopping bags and kids art make awesome wrapping paper.

Great post Lenny.

[Traveller]

Great post Lenny. I have made a much better effort this year with the gifts I have bought but I love the idea about fabric for wrapping paper. Hopefully in a year or two when my kids are old enough not to tell all their friends about santa so I can be honest with them I can start getting reusable giftwrapping for them without them questioning why santa uses wrapping fabric from mum's stock . Until then I will recycle what I use.

[Nai]

Agree! I have gifted plants, books, clothes, food, soaps and other more useful gifts this year rather than plastic rubbish. It's good to try and keep this in mind though.

[Eenee]

I haven't brought any plastic toys for the kids this year they are all wooden toys oh wait I have one plastic toy a truck for DS that is made of recycled plastic. I prefer to spend more on something that will last. And I'm not a fan of plastic.

I use wrapping paper though, most paper comes from trees from sustainable growth forrests ie. trees that are planted just for harvesting. My dad works at a paper mill so got to keep him in business although they use a lot of recycled paper as well as from trees.