Controversial take on beauty advent calendars...

[nanbread]

They're really shitty for the environment.

Tiny bottles = more plastic used

Stuff people don't want - wasteful

Excess packaging compared to buying normally, eg some come in individual cardboard boxes too

Excess in general - who needs a new beauty product every day for 25 days?

I loved it when I got one about 4 years ago but I decided not to again as it seemed a bit overindulgent.

Thoughts? Does anyone make a more ethical one? Do you care about that aspect of them? (Puts on hard hat )

I was tempted but decided not to this year for exactly those reasons. I'm trying to be less wasteful in life, and while I'm far from removing single use plastic, I have reduced it a lot. One way to reduce waste is to have a reusable wooden/fabric calendar and then fill it up with bits and bobs each year. You still get multiple small items, but not all the packaging around it and you can make sure all the stuff inside is things you'd actually use.

To some extent I agree, but my one doesn't have many pointlessly small bottles (the shower gel ones are) - the rest are full size or will at least last several months.

I don't buy full size products to try very often and use the calendar as a good test run to streamline the purchases i do make.

Ultimately there's a lot of waste in packaging etc, but the m&s one comes in a lovely tin which will certainly get used.

I am stingy and only buy ones I know I'll get good value out of though - can't bear the thought of having to pass on/ chuck loads of my little presents!

Have you seen that appalling Chanel one with all the poxy stickers etc and hardly any product? That's the epitome of waste...

I totally agree OP and didn't buy one this year as a result. I'm focusing on using up the stuff I already have, which is tonnes!

Yes, I agree with you. The amount of plastic used generally is awful. Even cooking a simpleeal seems to create a huge bloody mould of the stuff.

However, I bought the M and S one after a few years of not buying it because I wanted a cheer up. I an a hypocrite I know.

I got SO cross when the one yesterday was an eyeliner in plastic because it is totally unnecessary.

Couldn't agree more.

Why is it that 90% of people posting in moralising terms about ‘the environment’ and general ‘excessive consumption’ seem to think that their position is somehow controversial?

Yes, OP. You are just a better person than people buying beauty advent calendars.

Now let’s discuss the environmental implications of internet usage to post smug shite online?

Ooh @beyondourreef feeling defensive are we?

Did you miss the similar thread in AIBU, @nanbread? It's likely slipped down a bit now after it didn't really go the OP's way, but I'm sure it could be resurrected.

I assume you don't drive, fly, eat meat or have children and that you never ever buy anything you don't absolutely need to sustain life, of course? You crack on then - good for you

Have to say I feel similar to @BeyondOurReef. It's hardly a controversial opinion, we get a thread like this every year, often multiple threads. Of course beauty advent calendars are overindulgent. Of course we don't need a daily product for 25 days. We don't need Christmas presents, or dinner, or alcohol, or chocolate. It's a tiny glimmer of joy in an otherwise fairly bleak world.

Freedom Street do one that's vegan, cruelty-free and 100% plastic-free. If that was a serious question.

I agree that most of the ott calendars you can get now (Lego etc) are overindulgent and ridiculous. No-one needs a new present every day leading up to Christmas. The whole point of advent is WAITING til Christmas, so yes, definitely agree (although I’d also secretly love one )

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4416375-three-beauty-advent-calendars-for-a-grown-woman

I agree, but I am no angel when it comes to consuming fashion (although I’m trying to be better).

@nanbread

Ooh *@beyondourreef* feeling defensive are we?

I don’t have an advent calendar of any description. I’m just fed up with commonplace smugness dressed up as an unusual or controversial opinion online.

And the utter hypocrisy of people wasting resources proving their innate moral superiority to strangers online (rather than doing something useful).

I assume you don't drive, fly, eat meat or have children and that you never ever buy anything you don't absolutely need to sustain life, of course? You crack on then - good for you

Very funny, that old chestnut that only people who live perfectly sustainable lives can have an opinion on sustainability!

And as it happens I don't eat meat, fly and just got rid of the car... I do have two kids but you can have them if you like?

don’t have an advent calendar of any description. I’m just fed up with commonplace smugness dressed up as an unusual or controversial opinion online.

Well I agree with you somewhat there. I don't think it is that controversial to think that they're not great for the environment. I used that phrase in a slightly tongue in cheek tone that wouldn't come across on the internet.

I don't think it's smug though. More, I'm interested if people care, and if there are more sustainable alternatives, because they are fun as I said.

I agree to an extent but until people stop buying any make up, I am not sure how it's that much more awful than buying normal stuff at other times. M&S have done theirs in a tin this year (with quite a few full sized items) which I intend to keep.

Also, M&S one was only available with in store purchases this year. I don't know why, but at least it didn't get posted out in millions of plastic bags like online stuff from most places.

@nanbread

don’t have an advent calendar of any description. I’m just fed up with commonplace smugness dressed up as an unusual or controversial opinion online.

Well I agree with you somewhat there. I don't think it is that controversial to think that they're not great for the environment. I used that phrase in a slightly tongue in cheek tone that wouldn't come across on the internet.

I don't think it's smug though. More, I'm interested if people care, and if there are more sustainable alternatives, because they are fun as I said.

“Best is the enemy of good”. I always think this when people try to bring down a point I’m making about sustainability by accusing me of being imperfect and therefore not in a position to say anything. We don’t have to be perfect but yes we could as a society do a lot better. I agree with you OP a lot of these advent calendars seem really wasteful.

@Swirlywoo

Also, M&S one was only available with in store purchases this year. I don't know why, but at least it didn't get posted out in millions of plastic bags like online stuff from most places.

The M&S calendar was available online again this year. I always buy it online.

@thedevilinablackdress

Couldn't agree more.

100% agreeOP

Thanks @Housewife2010, I didn't see it online. Plastic waste from online packages is I still think a bigger problem.

Tbh I still think of advent calendars as things for children. I've never felt the need for one as an adult.

I also think that regardless of whether you are squeaky clean when it comes to car use, plane journeys etc, it's perfectly reasonable and sensible to encourage thinking twice about excessive, unnecessary and easily avoided use of disposable plastic and packaging, especially when it's sprung from a fairly recent money-spinner like advent calendars for adults.

I agree that this is not a controversial or particularly unusual opinion though. I mean... it's not as if there's any shortage of threads about excess and plastic tat at Christmas!

Of course it's not controversial. Chocolate ones aren't great either.

How does ten 10ml plastic bottles utilise more plastic than one 100ml plastic bottle?

I’m sure there are environmental impacts as there are with any unnecessary purchase but they’re no more wasteful than anything else surely?

I got the Liberty calendar - it doubles as bauble storage which meant I didn’t need to buy a plastic box.

It’s not a remotely controversial view. And you won’t get people to change their ways by lecturing them.

I’m not defensive, I don’t have a calendar of any sort and I made one for DD. But I’m not sure what you’re after apart from having a pop at people or virtue signalling.