It’s not easy bein’ green
Posted: December 1, 2007 at 3:53 pm by pannNor is it cheap.
It feels like getting organic / fair trade / non toxic goods is something only the elite can actually sustain.
After yesterday’s holiday shopping fears were compounded with concerns about toxic and unethically generated products, I began to search around the web to see what I could find as true alternatives.
There’s a TON of stuff of babies- like this site here for example- which is good because babies are at a much higher risk because they sure do love to explore the world through their mouths.
For big kids like mine, there didn’t seem to be as much, and what I did find was outrageously expensive. Beautifully made wooden doll houses and dolls, such as these, look like great alternatives, except that the price was so high.
I saw beautiful wooden structures that could make fabulous forts. (Isn’t that what the living room furniture is for?) Even simple things like play silks, seem extremely pricey to me. I mean, come on, folks, it’s a big old piece of fabric. I have those by the score. Why should I plunk down $50 for your fancy one?
Which got me thinking. Thinking about ways to provide some fun gifts without having to give up my grocery budget. My creative juices are just starting to get going. The first thing I need to do is work on making our house less cluttered and more livable. That will open up some room to have places to be imaginative.
I can help them set up better play areas. I can bust out that huge stash of fabrics I’ve got, and let them make their own toys.
This still doesn’t answer the question of what to put under the Hanukkah bush. But it’s a start: I think they will appreciate the things we get them more, and enjoy them for a longer time if they can play in a context that is comfortable and not over crowded.
I want to try to meet their desire for a cozy and special holiday season full of surprises and gifts, family fun, and good food. I think I was wrong to try to approach what to give them as a list of things that they specifically want. If I put in enough time and effort, I think I can pull this off with a minimum of expense and still go fairly easy on the plastic toys from China.
There are also books – something the kids love as much as I do – and I am sure we’ll get them some of those as well. But I don’t expect books to create the kind of excitement that comes with Exciting New Toys.
Given that I do not have the cash to go out and get fabulous free trade organic play sets and such, I am going to have to improvise some and compromise some. It’s not easy bein’ green, I guess, but I am still willing to try. I’ll check back in a couple weeks and let you know how it’s working for me.
Meanwhile, if your creative ideas have peaked on how to solve this holiday gift dilemma, please, please share your thoughts. I’d love to hear them!
Posted in Family Life, Mass Consumption | 
5 Comments »
December 1st, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Dharma trading has plain white play-silks that you can dye yourself for $3 or $4.
Rosie Hippo at least lists where their items are made so you can have information. Of course, they are absurdly expensive and never have coupon codes as far as I can tell.
I found a lot of my old crocheted bears that my grandmother made me and passed them on to the kids. I need to learn to crochet (and a friend has offered (well I asked. Insistently) to teach me because crocheted toys are super expensive but if you make them yourself you can control costs and materials.
Your kids might be old enough that “experiences” would be exciting. Can you give them a trip to the zoo/museum/lessons and have that be “cool”?
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:23 pm
You and Kermit are right. Tis not easy being green. I think it is more expensive. I’ll be checking back to see other folk’s more brilliant ideas!
Did kitty come back yet? I’ve actually been thinking of you quite a lot recently Pann …
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Stacie: You know what the real problem is with kids these days? They get everything already, all the time, and they have everything and they expect the thrill of getting everything again every birthday and holiday. (do I sound grumpy and old fart enough yet?) I don’t think I could get away with giving them “experience” gifts, because their lives are so filled with experiences already. Although last year they got to go to florida for xmas and that was special; we are not doing that this year, at least I don’t think so.
WFM: thanks for the kind thoughts. You’ll see from the newest post, the scoop on Luna.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I agree about the expense of things. I think it’s because it’s not just a “smart choice” issue, it’s an “opportunity for marketing and profit.” So the items are being provided for those who care–at a nice, large, caring price.
When I was a kid, my parents gave me a craft kit of all the things I liked when we were at stores: sequins, pipe cleaners, etc., plus cotton balls and popsicle sticks and colored paper. It was a huge thrill. But it was such a huge thrill, I provided the same kit for my kids for everyday use. Oops. Now I can’t thrill them with it.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Swistle: YES – that is exactly it! It seems like ‘green’ retailers are just preying on the fears of folks like me, and hoping I’ll shell out the big bucks. I don’t like feeling like I am being taken advantage of.
OTOH, a lot of plastic toys from china are ALSO more expensive than I think is warranted: think American Girl Dolls ($87 for ONE DOLL? HUH?) , or Calico Critters. (even 4 little plastic dolls for $20? seems a lot to me).
I made the same mistakes with my kids concerning crafts and fun stuff. We do that year round. I think my kids need a good dose of deprivation, that’ll fix em!