As someone with kids, I still feel like I “hate Christmas”. Not only all the waste, especially packaging, but the “obligation” to buy all your nieces/nephews toys - which has turned into just buying things off their wishlists that the parents picked.
so… why don’t i just buy for my kids, and you yours, and we’ll see you for dinner?
but then yes - all the waste! Having to “pick something”, and then of course grandma buys the most random, lowest quality stuff I have ever seen. I don’t even know how she finds them.
And one of my kids Birthday is just a few weeks before, and the other a few weeks after.
The house just explodes with crap between November and January.
Parents won’t stop buying presents for their grandkids. I’ve asked and tried. They’re too used to the consumerism of the era - have to buy things to show their love.
Friends don’t let friends measure in bkg
For Christmas and her birthday my niece gets a craft box subscription, and a day out with Aunty Charlytune. She gets so many presents from family, friends of family, and friends, it’s ridiculous. This Xmas I did get her a little handmade witches chest off Etsy that was filled with little potion bottles and trinkets, it was less than £15 though and I think she’ll make a really good witch so really it’s a practical gift.
The packaging for the toys is probably 26% of the waste! I despise plastic and the insane amount of useless junk my kids get for Christmas.