Comments on: Going Green for the Holidays, Even When the Grandparents Aren't http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/ Green and Natural Parenting for Eco-Friendly Families Thu, 24 May 2012 17:04:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7317 Jamie Ervin Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:16:08 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7317 I've accepted that my parents just aren't green... they start shopping in January and don't stop until Christmas. My Mom is terminally ill, so we've decided to let her have her fun. Afterall, these are her last years with us and I don't want to put a damper on it! Luckily, she includes gifts like jammies and movie buckets (with a DVD, popcorn, etc...) so it's not all plastic toys. Before the reality of losing a grandparent hit us, we worked harder on trying to get them to be more eco-friendly, now that we know life is so short and some people aren't inclined to change from their shopping binges, we just let it slide. I know that in a few months, most of those toys will find their way to a local charity... but at least Mom has her fun in the meantime! I’ve accepted that my parents just aren’t green… they start shopping in January and don’t stop until Christmas. My Mom is terminally ill, so we’ve decided to let her have her fun. Afterall, these are her last years with us and I don’t want to put a damper on it! Luckily, she includes gifts like jammies and movie buckets (with a DVD, popcorn, etc…) so it’s not all plastic toys.

Before the reality of losing a grandparent hit us, we worked harder on trying to get them to be more eco-friendly, now that we know life is so short and some people aren’t inclined to change from their shopping binges, we just let it slide. I know that in a few months, most of those toys will find their way to a local charity… but at least Mom has her fun in the meantime!

]]> By: Kristen http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7316 Kristen Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:08:20 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7316 No, they don't read this, Natalie (phew). But I hear you completely. What's worse is that they play "Whose toy did you like best?" And maybe even worse is that they ask about the toys later down the road as well as the candy (which I generally toss immediately). They're just different kinds of people and receive gratification from the material whereas we (and my mom) are more about the experiences of life and time spent together. No, they don’t read this, Natalie (phew). But I hear you completely.

What’s worse is that they play “Whose toy did you like best?”

And maybe even worse is that they ask about the toys later down the road as well as the candy (which I generally toss immediately).

They’re just different kinds of people and receive gratification from the material whereas we (and my mom) are more about the experiences of life and time spent together.

]]> By: Natalie http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7314 Natalie Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:41:54 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7314 I have to ask: Do your in-laws read this blog? I would love to write an entry like this. However, I don't b/c they read my blog and would never speak to me again. This year, our 3.5 year-old was old enough to do a list. That helped a bit, I think (hope). I know she's getting the stroller she wants. However, I am anticipating the girls opening up junk as usual. What gets me really upset is that they know my husband and I try to be "green." They know we don't eat lots of store bought candy and are selective about toys. I think they send us some of the stuff they do just to get me upset. I have brought things that I know we wouldn't use back to Walmart (for store credit (and used the credit to buy underwear, books, photo prints, etc). What upsets me even more, is that they don't have a lot of money. So, why they don't call and ask what the girls want/need, is beyond me. Instead, they spend money they don't have on junk. I would rather they spent their hard earned money on 1 or 2 quality items instead of sending junk toys from Walmart and the Dollar Store. Or, better yet, buy them each one thing and contribute some money to their college funds! Always, it's the thought that counts. I remind myself of that when I'm disappointed in what they sent... I have to ask: Do your in-laws read this blog? I would love to write an entry like this. However, I don’t b/c they read my blog and would never speak to me again.

This year, our 3.5 year-old was old enough to do a list. That helped a bit, I think (hope). I know she’s getting the stroller she wants. However, I am anticipating the girls opening up junk as usual.

What gets me really upset is that they know my husband and I try to be “green.” They know we don’t eat lots of store bought candy and are selective about toys. I think they send us some of the stuff they do just to get me upset. I have brought things that I know we wouldn’t use back to Walmart (for store credit (and used the credit to buy underwear, books, photo prints, etc).

What upsets me even more, is that they don’t have a lot of money. So, why they don’t call and ask what the girls want/need, is beyond me. Instead, they spend money they don’t have on junk. I would rather they spent their hard earned money on 1 or 2 quality items instead of sending junk toys from Walmart and the Dollar Store. Or, better yet, buy them each one thing and contribute some money to their college funds!

Always, it’s the thought that counts. I remind myself of that when I’m disappointed in what they sent…

]]> By: Summer http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7313 Summer Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:22:22 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7313 I completely understand. It's almost they use the gift aspect of the season to completely overrule you on your household. Or at least mine do. I'm pretty sure if I said no dangerous weapons they'd give my kids real machine guns and be offended that I don't appreciate the gifts. LOL It's had to donate the gifts after the holidays, unless you can handle you kids crying and wailing over their new toys going away. Luckily as they get older you can explain and explain and explain enough to your kids to help them understand why you are opposed to certain toys. Of course by then they've moved past the wooden truck stage. The irony! I completely understand. It’s almost they use the gift aspect of the season to completely overrule you on your household. Or at least mine do. I’m pretty sure if I said no dangerous weapons they’d give my kids real machine guns and be offended that I don’t appreciate the gifts. LOL

It’s had to donate the gifts after the holidays, unless you can handle you kids crying and wailing over their new toys going away. Luckily as they get older you can explain and explain and explain enough to your kids to help them understand why you are opposed to certain toys. Of course by then they’ve moved past the wooden truck stage. The irony!

]]> By: Diana http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7312 Diana Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:46:04 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7312 I understand your plight, but I've been working on mine longer, so it's a little easier. My mother in law knew I was frugal, so for a while we exchanged the same gift wrap back and forth for years. I've been known to ask for my gift bags back because I don't like wrapping paper and gift bags are reusable. They roll their eyes and hand it over. I understand your plight, but I’ve been working on mine longer, so it’s a little easier. My mother in law knew I was frugal, so for a while we exchanged the same gift wrap back and forth for years. I’ve been known to ask for my gift bags back because I don’t like wrapping paper and gift bags are reusable. They roll their eyes and hand it over.

]]> By: roly http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/21/going-green-for-the-holidays-even-when-the-grandparents-arent/#comment-7315 roly Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:38:07 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2386#comment-7315 or you could relax a little. the social value of your grandparents sending gifts and taking time over this surely outweighs any negative aspects from the toys and paper. you need to make sure you recycle the paper or better still re-use it. and the same for the toys. im sure some deprived children in your area would be overjoyed with the gift of a plastic toy. you could always give the gifts away and buy other presents for your children (and say they are from your grandparents). that way everyone is happy. i think a look at the bigger picture is often required. keep up the green efforts and have a happy christmas. or you could relax a little. the social value of your grandparents sending gifts and taking time over this surely outweighs any negative aspects from the toys and paper. you need to make sure you recycle the paper or better still re-use it. and the same for the toys. im sure some deprived children in your area would be overjoyed with the gift of a plastic toy.

you could always give the gifts away and buy other presents for your children (and say they are from your grandparents). that way everyone is happy.

i think a look at the bigger picture is often required.

keep up the green efforts and have a happy christmas.

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