Now before everyone gets their panties in a bunch let me say I LOVE Christmas! I love everything about it from wrapping up presents, to decorating my three trees, to the lights and music. I have my long list of holiday movies I must watch every season that range from Bing Crosby in White Christmas and Holiday Inn all the way to Bad Santa.
Little girls in Christmas dresses, Salvation Army bell ringers, holiday parties, reindeer cars, it all warms my heart and soul. I do also understand it can be a difficult time for some people for a wide range of reasons. One part of Christmas that I have been having a harder time with in recent years is the waste.
Overflowing garbage cans line the streets after the holidays. Food that was so abundant it simply could not be finished, while children in this world go hungry. Mounds of wrapping paper while our schools are in short supply of resources like paper.
Oh and don't get me started on packaging! The packaging that our things come in these days drives me bananas. I don't understand why a three inch Frozen doll has to come in enough packaging that it takes up half my garbage can! This is of course after I nearly injure myself just trying to get the dam toy out!
These things bother me, but have I changed my ways? That would be a big fat NO. I still put up an obscene amount of lights and watch the meter go around and around. I cook more food then necessary and wonder what to do with all the leftovers and finally toss half of them. My contribution to a landfill this season is enough to turn your stomach.
But I have hope! My hope is to do a little better this year. Make the correct amount of food and waste a little less. Reuse a few more gift bags. Try to buy toys for my kids that are built to last and wont end up in the garbage before next Christmas. This is my challenge to each one of you: Try, please try to waste a little less this holiday season. Use newspaper to wrap a few gifts, reuse a gift bag, don't make to much, make just enough for your holiday meal, turn off your holiday lights one hour earlier. If everyone tries just a small amount, just a little here and there, overall we wont notice it in our holiday cheer but Mother Earth will feel it now and for years to come.
If you are giving my pottery as a gift this year a few things you should know. First my pottery is quality and durable, it is made to last and will be around next Christmas and many more to come. My packaging is reused whenever possible. I reuse boxes to ship. I also reuse bubble wrap and packing peanuts when I can. When I do use new packing peanuts they are biodegradable. They will dissolve in simple water. I also place a notice on each box encouraging everyone to do the same and reuse what they can. If you cannot reuse packaging yourself see if someone else can, and when all else fails, recycle.
Please reduce, reuse, recycle when ever you can this holiday season and all year long. Every little bit does make a difference when we work together.
If you enjoyed this, or if this resonated with you at all, I ask that you pop on over and take a look at my handmade dinnerware. If you see something you like, or a great gift, please pick it up.
I so appreciate you support, thank you. And for reading this blog save 10% OFF your order by using checkout code: Journey
Happy Holidays everyone,
Lindsay Klix
Off Your Rocker Pottery
Awesome reminder!