Christmas guilt

[hipslikecinderella]

I get this every year - too many presents, too much plastic, mountains of waste. Even if we go for one gift each, they all add up and there is so much tat from school etc to add to it all.
Does anyone else feel like doing a low plastic / non single use xmas this year? YANBU if you do
.......
YABU if I'm a puritanical scrooge

I have agreed with my siblings that instead of presents, we will have a night away together. Husband and I agreed no presents also.
Kids only get stuff that I think they will really like, if I'm not sure about it, I won't get it.

YANBU - I have really tried to
Cut down the plastic tat this year. We even made our own wrapping paper the other day to avoid a tiny bit more foil paper going to landfill. Disclaimer - I am the least arty person I know but it looks ok and we had fun (for a while!) and I feel
Smug that I actually sat down and did something creative with my kids

Same I have only bought gifts that the kids need/want this year and no stocking tat. They'll get 3 or 4 decent presents in their stocking and a main present. I don't do all the Xmas eve extras etc anyway!

I am yet to buy wrapping paper, I'm thinking of using brown paper and paper parcel tape so I can recycle! Also reusing the millions of gift bags that get passed round my family every year lol

Oh and I don't throw away decs EVER love my "family heirloom" Xmas decs lol

We've made an effort this year to make our own wrapping paper and crackers. No presents for DH and I, we will go out for a meal. Home made presents for adults and only buying for minimal adults. DD2 is getting quite a lot but nothing tacky and single use - all toys like lego and playmobil that will last for years, and wooden stuff, book, toothbrush she would need anyway.

However... I know for every person marking a bit of an effort there are probably 50 people buying a gigantic mountain of plastic for their family and so is my home made wrapping paper really making any difference?

Me and two closest friends have decided not to buy for each other/kids and all do a festive day out together instead so YANBU

I found that sticking to a small (and unreasonable) budget is what brings tat. Obviously, spend what you can afford, but that's not the point.
But buying decent gifts and things that are needed and wanted means no tat and no waste.

I absolutely hate tat and it's my first year with a baby so we're definitely going to get unbelievable amounts of shite for LO and then token gift sets for DP and I and I'm dreading it.

Although I did sell one of his unused gift sets from last year on Shpock the other day

We give cash to the nieces and nephews that are over 11 (and stop at 18), treat MIL to a day out or weekend away and DP has a "no-gift agreement" with DSS and the adult siblings because it all just leads to tat, stress and expense.

Apart from things for one another, this means we only have to buy for DP's DGD and one niece (and she's 10, so it'll be cash for her next year!)

I think cash for older kids is great. They can spend it, save it or put it all together to buy themselves a big item. SIL's 17 year old has saved all her present money for 3 years and funded her own driving lessons.

It’s my first Christmas with DD I’ve got her a plastic activity table and push along walker but they were second hand. I’m also pregnant with DC2 so at least they’ll get use for longer.

I’m aiming with the DC to get second hand where possible I just wish I could encourage other relatives to do the same.

I’ve got people things that can be used (just eat vouchers and amazon vouchers) rather than more stuff

Mine is not form an environmental perspective but economical and personal values POV.

I buy what I think a person would like and make use of guided by a rough budget. If one person's gift costs slightly more/less then it's worth the spend/a bargain and no need to ensure everyone has the same amount spent - they've had the same amount of thought.

People don't need stuff for the sake of it so I don't buy that - I've refined stocking fillers over the years to what actually gets used and what ends up gathering dust and it's mostly practical/consumable things. (I don't wrap stocking gifts so there's no waste there.)

But, truthfully, I don't think we've ever created more than 1 bin liner of rubbish from gifts. We don't buy excessive amounts of food - never have - and aim not to have left overs that might end up being wasted.

This year my siblings and I have decided to do chocolate making together followed by a meal out rather than swap vouchers between us.

I'm doing edible stockings for DH and I and we are getting a book each. I bought for my parents, dvd my dad wanted and an Emma Bridgewater mug for my mum but not buying for any other adults. I used up the last of the wrapping paper and next year will use brown paper. Only sending Christmas cards (which again are recycled and recyclable) to the older generation of family members/god parents as they expect and like them. I went to TK Maxx and got children's books for all the kids in the family, they have some amazing deals and books are recyclable (and way cheaper than getting them all gift vouchers). Expecting our first child any day now, got her some second hand Christmas outfits. Not sure about the cracker situation, I know you can get eco friendly ones on Amazon but they are very expensive, making our own is a possibility!

We've been doing the sensible for years here. Practical presents like coffee machine, work out gear, watch, make up, games, edibles like spices, quality socks. Simply things that get used. And usually it's just couple of presents each.
No crap catching dust, no fake "aw thank you, just what I wanted" and certainly no "tat".
I am still not sure what plastic tat is though. If it is what I think I don't understand why someone would gift it😳