Back to Basics

By Sarah Outlaw

Have you ever heard the expression, “The best things in life aren’t things”? As I sit here and contemplate Christmases past, I can’t help but long for the simpleness that seems to have disappeared as times have changed and years have gone by. I can remember being perfectly happy with plain wooden blocks or a trash-picked refrigerator box as a child. I would imagine that the box was my house and that the blocks were my furniture or food. My sister and I used to dress up in long flowery skirts and aprons and pretend we were Laura and Mary Ingalls from The Little House on the Prairie. We used to spend all day, my brother included, exploring the woods behind our house or climbing up on to the roof of our barn. We had a small shed in our yard with a hand-me-down wooden kitchen set that provided hours of entertainment.

As a child I didn’t feel like my “stuff” defined me. Times are different now with parents waiting in line at stores for hours and sometimes even days for the latest game system. Consumerism is all around us and kids’ worth is unfortunately judged on what they have, especially by other kids. I am not saying that “stuff” is bad. I am also not saying that you shouldn’t buy toys for your children because toys are important. I am simply stating that too many people believe that what they own makes them who they are. This is not the message that we want to instill in our children.

What is consumerism really, and how can we fight it? Consumerism is an “attitude that values the acquisition of material goods”. It can also be defined as “an attachment to materialistic values or possessions”. I cannot tell you how many times I have fallen into the consumerist’s materialistic trap. My children see a commercial or an ad for the latest toy and I feel guilty if I don’t get it for them. My seven-year-old presents me with a Christmas list with nothing on it that I feel good about buying, but I end up at the store looking for those items anyway. The grandparents want to know what to get the kids so I just tell them what is on their lists. I feel that if I don’t buy them what they want that they will feel slighted or that I don’t love them. Reality check! I know better than that and you should too. Children need to be taught to value other people over things that they can posses. Having the latest fad toy is not going to help them become a kind, caring, and upstanding member of society. They will get bored with it sooner than later and move onto the next new thing. Why do you think that Goodwill and thrift stores never go out of business?Perhaps the best way to fight consumerism is to be conscious of it. If we acknowledge that it is rampant in our society, we are then able to teach our children to be less materialistic.

One of the best ways to stop kids from wanting so much stuff is to turn the television off during commercials. This does not work as well once they get older but when they are young, children are very much visual learners. They want what they see, especially when it is so glamorously portrayed on TV.

I recently came across a wonderful website and video called the “The Story of Stuff”. I recommend that everyone watch the video to better understand consumerism and why so many mothers and others are passionate about fighting it. In this video, the host brings up the point that though we have so much stuff we are unhappy. This is because we think that our stuff will make us happy.

This fact was driven home for me last Christmas during a gift exchange my kids had. None of the children present were satisfied with the gifts they chose and they all went home in tears. The teachers and the parents were appalled at the selfishness of them all. No one could understand how these children could be so upset about getting presents! This happens when we put more value on things than on people. Our children are being taught very well by big businesses and society. It is time to turn the tables on society and get back to basics.

As we celebrate this year, remember to take the time to model for your children things like empathy, kindness, love and grace. Don’t let “stuff” take away what this Season means to you and your family. Help to break this cycle of putting things above people and start valuing what really matters; each other.

Resources:

The Story of Stuff

"Greening" The Season

By Sarah Outlaw

Growing up in New Jersey, I remember Christmas with cold, crisp air and the smell of freshly cut Evergreen trees. I am in Southern California now where memories like white Christmases and ice skating on the pond down the road from our old farmhouse are things of the past. I’m not sure why, but I always thought that Californians all had those big aluminum trees like the ones Lucy longed for in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. Obviously I was mistaken. My family always had a cut tree or a live tree when I was a child. Some years my dad cut cedar trees down, which smelled like dirt and truly were “Charlie Brown” trees. You know the kind where the branches droop as soon as you put the ornaments on? That always gave everyone a good laugh. Other years we picked out and cut down our own tree from a Christmas tree farm. I didn’t know much about “green” or sustainable living back then but I have learned a few things along the way about having a “green” Christmas from Eco-giving to decorating that I would like to share.

The Lights

Christmastime is by far the most taxing time of year for the power plants. All those meticulously lighted homes put a real drain on energy. You can help lessen the strain. A simple solution would be to use LED lights instead. LED lights are very environmentally friendly, don’t contain mercury like compact fluorescents and use less energy. Many Christmas light companies make LED lights now so they shouldn’t be too hard to find.

The Tree

This is one of the touchiest subjects among “greenies”. The controversy lies in whether to get a cut tree or a live tree, an artificial tree or a real tree. There are pros and cons on all sides of this heated argument.Artificial tree factories pollute the environment tremendously; not-to-mention that the PVC plastic used to make the trees is highly toxic. Most artificial trees are manufactured in China where the potential for lead poisoning from one of those trees is very high. The thought of fuel costs and carbon emissions associated with shipping these trees all over the world is enough for anyone to realize that this may not be the best choice for the Eco-conscious person.Live trees can only be indoors for about a week or they will be less likely to survive outdoors once planted On the other hand, cut trees could be considered sustainable when they come from environmentally friendly farms that replant each year. Most pesticides will have washed or blown off by the time you are ready to purchase but some may remain. You can try to find an organic Christmas tree farm (See Resources below) but if the farm is to far away it may not be economical to purchase one.If you do decide to get a cut tree, there are things for you to consider when the Holidays are over. Some options include recycling the tree or using it for the birds or firewood. You will want to avoid tinsel or snow flocking if you plan to recycle the tree as this will make it ineligible.

The Decorations

We have heard a lot about lead this year with all the toy recalls from China. Unfortunately, many imported ornaments are covered in lead paint that easily chips. It is not a good idea to have lead paint present in a home with children or pets. Homemade, wood, or stainless steel ornaments are the safest options. Popping popcorn or stringing cranberries can be family traditions that make a comeback this year. Candles are very popular this time of year but can contain some very unfriendly ingredients including lead. Look for candles that are free from petroleum-based paraffin, those that are soy-based, and that don’t contain lead.

The Gifts

Once again, with all the lead paint concerns it may be best to skip the painted toys this year. Plastic toys have their own set of dangers with phthalates and Bis phenol-A. Wooden toys offer a safer alternative but be sure to buy from manufacturers that use sustainable resources and non-toxic finishes. Go back to the basics with blocks and wooden trains. Children can use their imaginations and create whatever they want from the simplest toys. Gift baskets full of non-toxic cleaning products or organic foods make wonderful gifts. You can also make your own herbal gifts like bath salts and herbal sprays or Flower Essences. Choose lotions and personal care products wisely. Look for ones that are paraben and chemical-free and contain natural fragrances and essential oils. Organic is always the best choice, but be sure to look for the USDA or Certified Organic seal. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, chances are you don’t want to put that product on your body. Instead of standard wrapping paper, try pillow cases, cloth or recycled gift bags. You can also purchase gift wrap made from recycled paper or go treeless altogether. Check your local health food store or see Resources below.

This time of year can be stressful as it is and overhauling your entire Holiday can add to that stress. Just be aware of the changes that you can make to have a healthier, safer and “greener” Holiday and take it one step at a time.

As you celebrate this year, keep old traditions alive for your children and make new memories.

Remember the Reason for the Season.

Resources:

Organic Christmas Trees:

http://www.greenpromise.com/resources/organic-christmas-trees.php

http://www.localharvest.org/

Tree Recycling:

http://www.earth911.org/

LED Lights:

http://www.holidayleds.com/

Wrapping Paper and Bags:

http://www.paporganics.com/

www.forestsaver.comstore.gxonlinestore.org/giftbag.html

http://www.gaiam.com/

Eco-gifts:

http://www.90210organics.com/
http://www.ecoexpress.com/
http://www.thegreenguide.com/
http://www.greenearthgreenhome.com/
http://www.greenfeet.com/

Herbal Gift Recipes and Supplies:

http://www.learningherbs.com/
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Candles:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/