To think advent calendars waste too much plastic

[Itsgonnabeacoldone]

I would have made one out of something reusable, but we've had some as gifts. The plastic seems pretty damn thick and the stuff can be hard to get out.

[daisypond]

Just get a cardboard one with pictures behind the little doors. That's what we have.

[Itsgonnabeacoldone]

I've actually only seen that on father Ted, as I say they were given so no choice. I'd have a candle

[ScipioAfricanus]

The other thing I don’t get about them is how sad they look when their gift/chocolate is out. Just a plasticky misshapen hole.

And yes, they waste so much plastic. Packaging has gone insane.

[NewtsSuitcase]

Come over to the small steps thread about doing something to help the environment each day. Lots of discussion about plastics and how we can change things.

My DC were bought a chocolate calendar one year. I reused the plastic inside as a mould and made more shaped chocolates which we use to decorate cupcakes. Its still going strong after three or four years.

If you get any more you could donate them to foodbanks

[Itsgonnabeacoldone]

Small steps thread, thank you I think I may have found my people.

I'm still pissed off at myself for buying a pr avocado a few weeks ago in a shit load of packaging.

[kinkajoukid]

Yes some of them do. Makes me feel a bit sick :(

We haven't had one for a few years, but wanted one this year so got a card one in a nostalgic style and its really made me feel all warm and cosy! Especially as it can be just put into the recycling afterwards - but we might just keep it.

Perhaps if you have a plastic one then re-using it is the way to go.

[SilverySurfer]

It's obviously easy isn't it? Don't buy plastic ones - there are plenty of cardboard ones and reusable ones made of wood.

[woollyjumperseason]

We have a fabric one that my mum sewed up when I was a kid. You just put in your own sweeties in so pre kids it had rum barrels in. In but now we have kids so its theirs!

[HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood]

Pls can someone link small steps? Can’t seem to find it

[Frederickvonhefferneffer]

I Agree. I don’t buy them. I have a fabric one which I fill every year and the children take turns with it

[ArcheryAnnie]

We've got a reusable one - thanks all for reminding me I have to fill it up before DS comes home! (Lemon sherberts and chocolate penguins.)

[TeenTimesTwo]

We have a lovely one we got from Phoenix Cards around 10-12 years ago. It is a nativity scene and each day you slot a cardboard character into the scene, starting with the star and finishing with baby Jesus. That is our 'proper' Advent Calendar.

Mind you, they also get chocolate ones too.

[gigi556]

@NewtsSuitcase can you link to the small steps thread?

[NewtsSuitcase]

Sure

This is the small steps thread

Small steps

It came out of the consumerism thread which I will also link to. I think that blue planet episode affected a lot of us

[NewtsSuitcase]

Consumerism thread

consumerism

[TheWickerWoman]

I’ve never been keen on the chocolate ones, they’re so dull and uncrismassy.. we still use the traditition ones with the picture.

I was talking to the lady on the till in Tesco about it yesterday, she said it’s a shame, she never see the picture ones in shops anymore as the chocolate ones seem to have taken over. I gave her my contacts 😄

[XmasStartsInNovember]

NewtsSuitcase the mold idea is brilliant. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that.

[LittleBirdBlues]

I made one this year. Pairs of socks on a string attached with wooden pegs. I put cookies or little boxes of raisins in, or pretty spoons. The best thing is that he kids can wear the socks after, and we can reuse the pegs, so hardly any waste at all.

[InDubiousBattle]

I'm so completely jealous of woolynow!! I saw one in a similar style but not half as nice the other week and it was £150!

[rcit]

All those saying don’t buy them - they are given as gifts!

[Crumbs1]

I have an embroidered, fabric one with little pockets to fill each year. It’s much prettier than the plastic tat, the presents are nicer, it links to nativity. Much nicer.
I’ve also got a wooden one that looks like a Scandinavian house with flaps in the roof to pop presents in. It’s lit by candles and is much loved by the children. We have a large dice that goes with it that has each child’s initials to decide who gets to open the flap or pocket each day.

I agree the disposable Peppa Pig or similar bear no connection to Christmas and are environmentally very unsound. They don’t bring much joy at all.

[Clarioncall]

I fell for the hype and "treated myself" to a L'Occitane advent calendar last year, I think I hoped it would cheer me up a bit. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect as the number of little plastic bottles and tubes made me feel very guilty, I would never buy another one.

[milliemolliemou]

Am I alone in thinking Christmas calendars should be about Christmas, not chocolate, perfumes etc? If you disagree but hate plastic, don't buy them - the manufacturers will soon(ish) get the message. Someone gave me aeons ago a felt Christmas calendar with little pockets which at least is reusable.

As for Jo Malone and its £300 calendar stuffed with mini perfumes and candles - hope they donate half or more to those in poverty.

Yours crossly, MMM.

[LesDennishair]

I have an online advent calendar this year. Doesn't waste anything and very amusing it is too! You can create them quite easily.