Plastic tampon applicators!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

oooh I love a plastic tablecloth when I do art activities with the kids. I just had friends over for cookie decorating ( yes they ate the cookies) and after we were done we just balled up the tablecloth and threw it away. I guess it’s a waste of plastic but I’m alright with it 2-4 times a year.

It’s fine. I had a book by the union of concerned sciences and it says that too often people focus on the wrong measures, as evidenced by this thread. Christmas decorations? My ornaments are nearly 50 years old. My nutcracker is 28. They bring me immense joy. The book says not to worry about using paper/plastic for an occasional picnic or gathering. Eating little to no meat, driving efficient cars, and reducing flying have a much greater impact. You should also vote in politicians who prioritize the environment and support environmental organizations that are educating, improving, and lobbying.

I definitely think people should be mindful about reducing consumption, but you don’t need to be sanctimonious about it. It will work against the cause.

I have used colorful pillowcases as gift wrap for years. Also good for big or awkwardly shaped items. After Christmas, they revert to pillowcases.

I have an ugly christmas sweater but it started life as a regular christmas sweater that I wore unironically. During peak Ugly Sweater parties in high school, my DCs either wore it or loaned it to their friends to wear. I think I've had it for 20 years now, and can't part with it. So on a per wear basis it's probably goten more use than many of my clothes.

I buy very little wrapping paper and reuse gift bags until they fall apart. We've also used fabric wrap for 25 years - the same fabric - leftover from a decorating project.

I think I am more cheap than environmentally conscious - I hate to spend money on single use items.

Anonymous wrote:I am in the process of downsizing so very tuned into the wasteful stuff in my house. The worst right now are presents that people gave us especially the little cute Knick knacks. Ceramic baby blocks, figurines, vases, it goes on and on. So hard to get rid of (no one wants them) but feel bad trashing them.

Post them on your local Buy Nothing group. That has helped me get rid of things that I do not want, but it turns out others do.

Anonymous wrote:And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

oooh I love a plastic tablecloth when I do art activities with the kids. I just had friends over for cookie decorating ( yes they ate the cookies) and after we were done we just balled up the tablecloth and threw it away. I guess it’s a waste of plastic but I’m alright with it 2-4 times a year.

Anonymous wrote:K cups. My job only has keurigs for coffee and it drives me batty.

My spouse put one on his Christmas wish list (he doesn’t even drink coffee, so maybe it’s for tea/cocoa?). I’m definitely not getting one for him! So much plastic waste (and he lacks the discipline to use the reusable filters).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just walk in to any Home Goods…to me it’s crushing. All the plastic. All the trend decor, only to be replaced 6 months later. New throw pillows, new vases, new wreaths, wall art…

This. There is is much junk at the holidays — oddity mugs you get at white elephants, foam decorations that last a year or two, plastic trinkets in advent calendars…

I’m traveling with my family this year and while we’ll be doing gifts (and, obviously, flying…) I’ve basically opted out of the rest of the holiday season. It makes me realize just how much disposable stuff we normally get as part of the season.

(And, yes, I’m not saying we’re doing anything right. It’s just what I’ve noticed this year, in a year we’re kind of ‘skipping’ all but Christmas Day itself.

+2
All the seasonal decor in general is just wasteful, plastic crap. I cringe every season watching the changeover at Target, Michaels, Home Goods, Five Below, Dollar Tree etc. (So much of what is in these stores is just generally unnecessary plastic awfulness.)

I love reusable gift bags. Most of mine have been gifted to me. I bought a bunch 15 years ago for Christmas gifts that are still in use. The wrapping paper we do use is recycled.
Greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, valentines day, mother's day, father's day, etc. So expensive ($5) and just goes into the recycle bin. There is a time and place for a heartfelt note, but it doesn't need to be a glittery, pre-made card.
Obligation gifts. Gift baskets. Please don't give me general knick-knacks or decor or candles or whatever. And don't be annoyed that I didn't get you something when I don't know you well.

Toys for Tots. Plastic shipped from China. Given to kids who already have more toys than I had growing up in the 60s. I did not feel that anything was missing. I had a fun childhood.

And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

Christmas decorations and lights are a total waste.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:K cups. My job only has keurigs for coffee and it drives me batty.

And it’s gross coffee! I can’t believe people bought into that fad.

Neve rmind pushing really hot water through those plastic pods will give you all kinds of health issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in the process of downsizing so very tuned into the wasteful stuff in my house. The worst right now are presents that people gave us especially the little cute Knick knacks. Ceramic baby blocks, figurines, vases, it goes on and on. So hard to get rid of (no one wants them) but feel bad trashing them.

and this is why I'm a grinch and am refusing to exchange gifts with my siblings and their kids. None of us need anything and we can all buy exactly what we want. There is nothing meaningful I can buy for any of them so I'm done with it. One sibling and I have kids the same age and every year we exchanged gift cards in the exact same amount. Stupid. We also were exchanging gift baskets of food. Think about the waste there. The packaging and the fuel and resources used to move crap from one place to another is terrible.

I love Christmas but I'm over the gift portion of it.

ITA, as Americans (even the ones who are considered poor), we really don't need a thing. I am giving a friend a nice garden tool, my dd will get mohair socks, my son will get undies and PJs He grew 3 inches and put on 15 pounds), my sister will get a tea mug. I got her to stop drinking anything other than tea (from tea leaves) and water to use less plastic.

Anonymous wrote:Just walk in to any Home Goods…to me it’s crushing. All the plastic. All the trend decor, only to be replaced 6 months later. New throw pillows, new vases, new wreaths, wall art…

This. There is is much junk at the holidays — oddity mugs you get at white elephants, foam decorations that last a year or two, plastic trinkets in advent calendars…

I’m traveling with my family this year and while we’ll be doing gifts (and, obviously, flying…) I’ve basically opted out of the rest of the holiday season. It makes me realize just how much disposable stuff we normally get as part of the season.

(And, yes, I’m not saying we’re doing anything right. It’s just what I’ve noticed this year, in a year we’re kind of ‘skipping’ all but Christmas Day itself.

Anonymous wrote:I am in the process of downsizing so very tuned into the wasteful stuff in my house. The worst right now are presents that people gave us especially the little cute Knick knacks. Ceramic baby blocks, figurines, vases, it goes on and on. So hard to get rid of (no one wants them) but feel bad trashing them.

and this is why I'm a grinch and am refusing to exchange gifts with my siblings and their kids. None of us need anything and we can all buy exactly what we want. There is nothing meaningful I can buy for any of them so I'm done with it. One sibling and I have kids the same age and every year we exchanged gift cards in the exact same amount. Stupid. We also were exchanging gift baskets of food. Think about the waste there. The packaging and the fuel and resources used to move crap from one place to another is terrible.

I love Christmas but I'm over the gift portion of it.