Recycled Christmas, could it work???

dolly_day_dream

When the children were younger my house looked like Selfridges Grotto - foil and glitter everywhere. If there was a spare surface I covered it with something shiney. Now Christmas decorations go up later but every single one is home-made. Not a piece of glitter in sight because everything is made from foiliage in the garden. I know that I am very lucky in that Ihave ivy and holly growing in my garden (rather too much of it but that's another story) and I even get to use the hang over from next doors conifers. I make swags to go above each window, along the bannisters and over windows etc. Some of them I thread with very simple christmas tree lights. The wreath on the front door is likewise home made each year. These are hardly professional creations but people comment very favourably on them each year. Best of all the cost is only for the Nutscene twine to hold them together. After the New Year they all get put into the compost and recycled that way. I try and make as many of my presents as I can and buy as much as I can from charity shops. My main mantra is to reduce as much as possible what we buy, then re-use if at all possible and then recycle. I have been in a situation when we only had £30 for christmas (with 3 children) and £300 and can honestly say that the best things my children remember are the traditions we hold to. They all come home for 'stir up Sunday' the first Sunday in the autumn half term when we make the christmas cake and pudding and they make a wish as they stir. We still use the 22year old home made advent callendar that gets filled with small treats for each day. (often just a boiled sweet!) I set out a treasure hunt for all of my family around the house, with very silly presents, instead of a stocking and they refuse to let it stop! They get to decorate the Christmas tree on the weekend before Christmas. If others get hung up about the presents and the cost of everything then let them. We will enjoy it our way. Incidently my children have now taken to inviting friends to enjoy our christmas because they know that our Christmas doesn't depend on money but on family.

Have just realised how much I have written - sorry but this is something that I feel realy strongly about - reclaim the midwinter celebration from commercialism - you will enjoy it

savvy

dolly_day_dream wrote:

We still use the 22year old home made advent callendar that gets filled with small treats for each day. (often just a boiled sweet!)

To be different last year, Godders made my lads advent brownies, we boxed them up in decorated chinese take away tubs.

They loved them and are a little bit more grown up than advent calendars.

dolly_day_dream

savvy wrote:

To be different last year, Godders made my lads advent brownies, we boxed them up in decorated chinese take away tubs.

They loved them and are a little bit more grown up than advent calendars.

That would be wonderful and I may make it part of a new tradition. The thing is the children (26, 24 and 19!) still cling to what we have always done and look forward to getting out the old advent callendar which we use every year.To them it is a signal that Christmas is on its way. Will try and wean them off of it. However we may well end up with a double advent tradition from now on! So much for consuming less!

margaretclare

Hi dolly day dream

Have just realised how much I have written - sorry but this is something that I feel realy strongly about - reclaim the midwinter celebration from commercialism - you will enjoy it.

Ah yes, this is what it SHOULD be all about! I'm a Christian but I won't be going to church on Christmas Day (well, we're away anyway) because the 'what have you got, what did Father Christmas bring you?' has crept in even to church.

For reclaiming the winter festival, have a look at events that will be on at Sutton Hoo, at West Stow Saxon Village and also in Jarrow (Bede's World).

Margaret Clare

savvy

dolly_day_dream wrote:

That would be wonderful and I may make it part of a new tradition. The thing is the children (26, 24 and 19!) still cling to what we have always done and look forward to getting out the old advent callendar which we use every year.

LOL trust me with Godders' recipe, they'll be happy to change...........it won my 2 over!

And you're definately sure your kids aren't doing the calendar thing for you cos you keep getting it out every year??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

chloejane_2

thanks to little miss thrifty what a great suggestion with the cloth wrapping paper as that is a real big bug bear of mine to have to buy and wrap things and then waste all the paper! so im going to be in the loft look for old material bound to have some somwhere lol, if not charity shops for me! we recycle our xmas tree each, and use decorations we made a children, and what our children make at school, have also got some decorations we have brought over time in the sales and stuff, i buy presents all year round in the sales, this ive done for years as cant see the point of paying full price for things, we also get our kids clothes and pens and pencils and stuff they will acutually need through out the year, also brough in the sales, as this has always saved me money long term, also go to charity shops for goodies, i also find looking out for the good deals in the shops during the year inbetween the sales like the bogof toys and stuff.

Lillibet_2

For those who do wish to exchange gifts but keep a clear conscience, have a look at this for the ultimate in recycled & environmentally friendly gifts :rotfl:

http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/index.php?cName=gifts-elephant-dung&osCsid=0e0c387670ee7cb7df70a90123f19f57

And Arkonite Babe, I think it's a fab thread & idea even if it is July:D I looove Chritsmas & the family time but hate the rampant consummerisum it entails.

Icemaiden

se999 wrote:

Arkonite_babe - I think one thing that children & teenagers really appreciate is time and involvement, as long as they are involved in it and the decision making it works well.

Couldn't agree more.

My teenage son makes a wicked christmas cake as hes no concept on how much alcohol to add;) and actually looks forward to making it and we very much look forward to eating it.....

SusanCarter

savvy wrote:

And you're definately sure your kids aren't doing the calendar thing for you cos you keep getting it out every year??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Before I left home (aged 22) I always used to insist on still having a christmas stocking even though my mum thought we should have stopped having them years ago. The things you do at christmas when you're little become part of christmas which makes you want to keep doing it.

Joscar

Lillibet wrote:

For those who do wish to exchange gifts but keep a clear conscience, have a look at this for the ultimate in recycled & environmentally friendly gifts :rotfl:

http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/index.php?cName=gifts-elephant-dung&osCsid=0e0c387670ee7cb7df70a90123f19f57

Great link, I know some people who would love to receive a gift like this!!