Advice needed please.

[Callisto]

I thought I would post here because you're all greenies and will understand (rather than thinking I am barking).

It is my daughter's 2nd birthday in April and rather than the quite unbelivable display of conspicuous consumerism that was last years presentfest I would like to ask everyone to either give money to a green charity (WWF, Friends of the Earth, etc), plant a tree or if they have to give a present give a 'green' one - something from Spirit of Nature, that kind of thing. My problem (and I intend to do this for my own birthday a month later) is how to ask people without seeming presumptuous and without upsetting anyone.

So any advice would be great.

[MamaGstring]

don't do it.
sell the shit on ebay and donate the proceeds.
that way nobody is offended

[Callisto]

[wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe]

I think it's a very noble thought but...

It's one thing to do that for your birthday, it's another to do it for your dd's birthday. It's her birthday after all?

[redclover79]

I went a similar route this xmas, with ds. We bought lots of wooden toys (garage, train set etc) and told our family what we were doing, but didn't ask them to follow suit. Fortunately, one set of grandparents 'can't be bothered' and just give money which we stick in ds' savings (ethical savings account!).
tbh, I wouldn't bother asking dp's family to toe the green line, they really think there is something wrong with me as I separate out my rubbish for recycling or trundle down the garden to the compost heap! I don't ask my own family specifically either, but they tend to ask if there's anything ds 'needs' for birthday/xmas so I get to make suggestions! I don't mind him getting plastic stuff as I'm very fortunate in that we don't have a huge family and so we don't get overrun!! Good luck!!

[redclover79]

Lots of wooden toys- lol!! Literally a wooden garage and a wooden train set! The rest was little bits and pieces for drawing and painting!

[Callisto]

I know that it probably comes across as a bit mean but DD has got stacks of toys and the ones she loves the most are things like her crayons and wooden jigsaws etc. I loathe the plastic toys. She doesn't particularly like the noises they make and they end up gathering dust until I chuck them out.

I also feel very strongly that there won't be a world if we carry on consuming at the currrent rate. And plastic toys in particular are bad on almost every level I can think of. I don't really buy into the 'educational' aspect of them either.

My DD would far prefer a day with her cousins and friends than 30 or so presents (she certainly did at Christmas) and I want to bring her up to value the gifts she is given.

[Callisto]

Do you think I should throw this question open to the Relationships panel? After a name change maybe...

[Budababe]

I appreciate the sentiment and you might get away with it this year as your DD is only 2 but as she gets older you probably won't so be prepared!

Are you likely to be asked for suggestions? In which case things like vouchers for the zoo, clothes, books etc. People often like to buy presents - particularly for littlies.

[Callisto]

I am asked for suggestions though not always listened too. Maybe I should just stick with discouraging plastic toys and go completely green for my birthday.