Boo Humbug
Easter Egg Hunts
The Giving Tree
Holiday Humbug
Holiday Questions
Oh, Christmas Tree
The Tricky Parts of Trick-or-Treating
Category: Reducing
The Giving Tree
Back in 2015, I somehow volunteered to make a tree project on behalf of the local library for a community tree decorating display/event. Anyway, being the tree hugger that I am, I made it into an upcycled project and wrote a little statement about trees, which I included with the project. As we’re in yet another season of cutting down trees, I thought I’d share this little project here.
I used Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” as a base for this tree project as a reminder of all the gifts trees provide for us.
During the holidays, trees (no matter what their form) can be a place to gather with friends and family, a place to share gifts, and a part of the holiday decor and magic.
Trees provide so much more though. They are the source of our furniture, our paper, our homes, our food packaging, our books, and on and on.
I think it would serve us, and our planet, to remain conscious of these gifts, appreciate them, and try our best to make good uses of them.
I love that I was able to build this scene by reusing old books that were no longer in a condition to keep as reading books. Here, they have new life and are able to give to us once again.
The supports I used to prop the books are old wooden game pieces from discarded Scrabble and Jenga games.
And with wooden skewers being used as supports for the book trees, this entire project truly is a gift from trees.
I remain a “tree hugger” at heart. And so, despite my appreciation for all the gifts I know trees provide for me in my life,
I still believe a tree’s best gifts are given when it is left in the ground to grow–providing oxygen, fruit, shade, animals’ homes, and most of all, breathtaking beauty.
Small Actions, Big Difference
So, I love sharing upcycling ideas or reducing inspiration. It’s always been a passion of mine, and I feel like our world needs a major shift this way…and soon. But, I know what some of you may be thinking, because I am wondering the same things. Are we really going to heal this planet by making gift tags out of cereal boxes or fixing broken zippers on our clothes??
But, when I stop and really think about it in my heart, I really DO believe these actions matter. When we start treating our planet’s resources with respect and being more aware of our choices, we start to create change in our world. So, by making gifts at home or upcycling our products or mending our clothes, we start to become more aware of the stuff in our lives—where it comes from, where it’s going, how to make the most of it. And when we make these little projects and carry them around or have them in our homes or gift them to others, we have these subtle reminders everyday. And it starts to change the way we think and the way we act and the way we vote. The companies we choose to support or not to support. Organizations we choose to donate to. The essays and articles and videos we make to increase awareness. All of these things DO matter.
So, yes, we need HUGE changes in our world’s policies and standards. Companies need to keep shifting in the direction of conscious and fair practices. But, this is the job of many people in positions many of us don’t hold. So, the best WE can do is to start with these small changes. And just trust that by starting small, we will continue to make positive change in our world.
Gratitude, Not Guilt
When I write these posts and sometimes talk about the different processes a product must go through to get to us, I’m doing a lot of educated guessing. I actually think it would be awesome to have a show or a book that really took an audience on the actual journey–the entire journey– that a product goes through to get to a consumer. So many mind-numbing shows out there; let’s start creating and demanding ones that add value to our world.
I think something that shows a product’s journey from start to finish (and even its afterlife) would be a priceless addition to a child’s library or a mandatory school program, but also extremely important for the public at large.
Unfortunately, I often carry a feeling of guilt when I think of all a product has gone through. I think of the travel pollution and the natural resources used and the factory pollution into our air or waterways. I cringe when I see boxes piled on doorsteps or walk into a big box store, as I think of the negative impact all these products have had on our environment. I know I’m in the minority on this, but I do seriously carry a load of guilt whenever I buy or receive something.
BUT, I think a far better approach, really, for whatever side a person is on—feeling this tremendous guilt or not thinking about it at all–is for us to look at all of what products go through to get to us and use that as a way of gaining a greater appreciation for them. When we can really value all that something went through to be made and assembled and transported, then we can feel a connectedness and a gratitude we might not otherwise know. And only then, will we really be aware of its value.
Instead of saying things like, “Well, it didn’t cost much, so it doesn’t matter if it breaks.” or “I couldn’t find the one I had, so I bought another one.” or “A newer model came out, so this one isn’t good anymore.” Hopefully, we can instead know the true cost and true value of each product. We will appreciate what we have. Buy higher quality items from companies with fair and good manufacturing practices–Demand that, in fact. Mend and fix broken items, instead of throwing them out. Share with our friends and neighbors, so we’re not each buying our own high-ticket items that sit unused for most of the year. Gaining appreciation for our food and products is one of the keys to making a big difference in helping our world.
By simply becoming more aware of our products’ journeys, we will start building this appreciation and changing our habits. Your actions can and will make a difference!
The Greatest Gift
When I became a mom, I quickly realized I would do ANYTHING for these kids. I want to give them all the best, always. Not in a spoil them, Veruca Salt, sort of way, but in a -I would walk to Mordor for you- kind of way. And, like so many parents out there, holidays or birthdays approach, and I get excited to give them something really special. To see their faces light up, to watch their imaginations grow. But, I can never help thinking, that the greatest gift I can give my kids, really, is a healthy planet for their future and for their kids. I know that sounds corny as all heckarooni when I say it, but I believe it deep down in my core. And while I’m not going to sit my kids down on their birthdays and tell them that their gift is that we didn’t get them anything that would add to the crisis of overconsumption and instead Mama sat down and wrote this post in the small hopes it would make a difference, I still think that we can keep things in perspective. Maybe cut down on the over gifting. Be conscious about what products we’re buying and what their company’s practices are and which local shop we’d like to support, even if it means paying a little bit more. Or even making our own gifts. Maybe we can also realize that for a lot of people, gifts aren’t necessarily brown paper packages tied up with strings, but instead might be a special outing or spending time together. I want to give my kids a healthy, sustainable planet for their future, and so with every celebration, every gift, every birthday party, I keep that at the forefront of my mind. And then all I can do is my best.