I had a conversation with my sister this week. She wanted to buy the kids something but I've been refusing to let people buy them toys because they don't need them. I told her again that most things we have for them are second hand and it's always decent quality because it's managed to survive the previous owners. She turns her nose up at that and says you can't give second hand stuff as gifts. I asked why it's ok to give antiques as gifts but not second hand stuff but she couldn't answer that. I asked what the cut-off for 'antique' is, no answer, I asked if it was still ok to give an antique if you already own it or if you get it for free but think the other person would really enjoy it. No answer. She's one of those people who thinks that if she's spend £20 then she should get £20 in value back with a receipt to prove it if necessary.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Could you suggest she puts money in a savings account for them for when they’re older. My grandsons never want anything, just money that they saving for their grown up years. Whenever that comes these days.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
How is getting rid of plastic items that you have and replacing them with wooden items eco friendly? Surely it's better to continue to use the plastic you have.
How is getting rid of plastic items that you have and replacing them with wooden items eco friendly? Surely it's better to continue to use the plastic you have.
I concur totally. Just adding plastic to landfill doesn't help anything, nor cutting down trees to make toys
So glad people spotted that fashion consumerist buying wood toys to replace already made and bought plastic toys.
I can understand someone becoming aware of the plastic issue and stopping buying plastic toys in the future. Previously bought plastic toys means you've done the wrong so binning them to replace with wooden ones is just about making a statement change. It's self defeating if the aim is environmental, but I doubt it is. It has to be about the statement and possibly about the excuse to go out shopping for wooden replacements.
I don't mean to be too critical but we need to think more about environmental damage our lives cause and before making any big change look at the consequences fully. Risk assess the change.
Our great-nephew has just had his first birthday, and is onto his 3rd birthday party, because his mum says he has too many friends to invite to just one! Even my nephew rolls his eyes when the subject is raised but has decided to go for the quiet life. He has said to me that it's a total waste of time and money. Photo's from the house on his birthday had huge arches of balloons, new toys everywhere and our great-nephew just watching his favourite cartoon on TV.
Our great-nephew has just had his first birthday, and is onto his 3rd birthday party, because his mum says he has too many friends to invite to just one! Even my nephew rolls his eyes when the subject is raised but has decided to go for the quiet life. He has said to me that it's a total waste of time and money. Photo's from the house on his birthday had huge arches of balloons, new toys everywhere and our great-nephew just watching his favourite cartoon on TV.
I'm sure your great nephew will remember it for always?
Wooden toys often miss the point but that's mostly because of greenwashing and companies jumping on the bandwagon but still wanting to produce stuff that needs to be replaced regularly because profits. The idea was that the toys should have been better quality and more robust but cheaper wooden toys splinter easily and the paint chips off, and they're often packed with loads of plastic and polystyrene. There's no point in buying expensive toys that will last a lifetime though if no one regards second hand stuff as being good enough to give as a present. We're still in the cheap mass purchase, disposable, short-term mindset but just using different materials.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
My late father made toys,by hand promised both me and my daughters a doll's House that never manifested. He made a garage/petrol station based on the one at Haywards heath station. He made it over 50 years ago,it's now owned by my cousin who is ,95s great grandson. I remember Mr Durrant, the grocer,making up blue Manila bags,for rice,tea,sugar, biscuits, blacksmith who actually shod horses.
How is getting rid of plastic items that you have and replacing them with wooden items eco friendly? Surely it's better to continue to use the plastic you have.
I concur totally. Just adding plastic to landfill doesn't help anything, nor cutting down trees to make toys
There are plenty of people who still like plastic toys, no problems in getting rid of them. wooden toys are made from pine which are grown especially for cutting down, she doesn’t buy toys made from teak and Mahogany .
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
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My grandsons never want anything, just money that they saving for their grown up years. Whenever that comes these days.
Just adding plastic to landfill doesn't help anything, nor cutting down trees to make toys
I can understand someone becoming aware of the plastic issue and stopping buying plastic toys in the future. Previously bought plastic toys means you've done the wrong so binning them to replace with wooden ones is just about making a statement change. It's self defeating if the aim is environmental, but I doubt it is. It has to be about the statement and possibly about the excuse to go out shopping for wooden replacements.
I don't mean to be too critical but we need to think more about environmental damage our lives cause and before making any big change look at the consequences fully. Risk assess the change.
wooden toys are made from pine which are grown especially for cutting down, she doesn’t buy toys made from teak and Mahogany .