Careful Christmas.

Back in October, I wrote about my experience of #recycle week 2018.

If you want to know the background, it’s here:

https://www.highcroftwriting.com/words/recycle-week-when-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know

I essentially started with an assumption that because I was a well behaved fortnightly recycler, in line with council requirements, I was starting the week with some points. Naturally, from this naive basis, #Recycleweek ended up being a bit of an eye opener for me, but I was honest with myself in that I knew it would not be a sudden overnight change. I had so much to learn, re-learn and unlearn - but the aim was to give it a go one item at a time.

I’d like to say that I think progress has been made. It has shown in the simple things:

- The weekly shopping bill has gone down. I’d like it to go down more, who wouldn’t, but I have seen a difference after applying a ‘conscious purchase’ approach. I did worry the amount would rise, having to be considerate about packaging etc, but the overall bill has reduced because I put more thought into whether it’s needed and whether bulk buying or re-using something we already have would be a better option.

- The fortnightly council refuse collections have shown that the ’rubbish’ levels have gone down. Overflowing bins, and sometimes a couple of bags hanging behind (to drop in as soon as the bin had been collected), were not unusual for this house. I put out a half-full bin this week. I don’t think I’ve known that happen before, even with holidays.

- The recycling collection tubs have reduced too. This might sound strange, but the plastic, glass and tin collection has halved since starting this journey. I am actually recycling less. I was not expecting this. It’s a bit about being that little more conscious about what I buy, but it’s also about reusing in-house the glass and plastic items that have come with purchases. Rather than putting a tub or jar out for recycling, I‘ve looked at how it can be reused ‘in-house’. Why buy new plastic storage tubs when I can use washed out tubs or jars from other products? I’ve also started reusing paper and cardboard for packaging, rather than dropping it straight in to the recycling bag.

I make no claims anout my eco-friendliness. I am still astonished by how much plastic, wrapping that cannot be recycled, is still thrown away fortnightly. It is what primarily fills my bins. I did always say it would be one step at a time.

And so to the #festiveseason...

I knew #Christmas would be a bit of a ‘challenge’ this year, but you have to embrace a #challenge don’t you. I decided this Christmas would be a ‘careful’ Christmas. There would be no last minute cheap panic buying and I would focus on it being about #giftgiving. It wasn’t going to be about the usual stress of whether I’d spent enough or even whether it would be exactly what they wanted. I would be upfront about this being a ‘gift’ and I would be careful about the #environmentimpact at the same time.

Being conscious about what I’m buying has inevitably made the gifts more personal. It has been a rather lovely #experience, to be honest.

Who knows if it’s what they want? Who knows if they will be as touched with the gifts as I have been selecting them, but I have certainly found it less stressful.

I have focused on sourcing:

- items made from wood, cotton, wool and/or paper;

- pottery and vintage pottery;

- silver jewellery with glass or shell pendants, and vintage jewellery;

- wrapping with plain brown paper, so that it’s recyclable.

My plan was that they would be items that have proven to last or, fingers crossed, should last - and if they don’t, they should have limited negative impact on the environment.

There is one glaring area I need to improve. I had a box of #brownparceltape. It’s anything but recyclable, but there was no point in wasting it. That stuff is likely to live on in a scrumpled up ball shape for many years to come. I will need to source some #environmentallyfriendlytape when this has been used up, but I’m pretty sure the internet can help with that.

I am no expert at a #flatlay. This is literally my living room floor right now. It isn’t every gift I’ve sent or will be sending, but it’s what I have to do today. Some have already been sent, or hand delivered, and some people who are getting gifts might see this so those bits are hidden just out of shot. I know we don’t have the same childhood wonder anymore, but I’d rather avoid spoiling any surprises. They have all followed the same principles, however, and so, all in all, I think I managed a decent enough effort for my first #consciouschristmaschallenge. I just hope family and friends end up thinking so too.

#tryingtoneecofriendly #livingandlearning #alwayslearning

#giftsatchristmas #christmasgifts

#highcroftwriting