Consumerism vs Add to Cart

I love a bargain as much as the next person. In fact, I resent having to pay full price for anything, so you can image how enticing events like the boxing day sales are. I scroll through my phone looking at all the things I’ve been eyeing off during the year and then check online to see what they are selling for. The only saving grace is that being the day after Christmas my house is usually overflowing with gifts, which makes me stop and consider if I really need whatever it is I’m looking at.

My kids now have an abundance of new toys, and whilst I appreciate the happiness and joy Christmas brings, I do worry about the number of gifts it takes to fulfill the Santa wish lists and stockings each year. Sadly, in the weeks that follow Christmas you often see a large number of brand-new toys being donated and sold online. Is this a sign that even our kids don’t know what to do with so much stuff?

To top it off, there’s so much waste. I find it increasingly jarring the amount of rubbish Christmas and kids toys in particular, generate. Any toy with the word ‘surprise’ in the name is sure to have layers of wrapping! Then there’s the excess food to contend with. Even as I separate out recycling from soft plastics and food waste, there’s more heading for my regular bin than at any other time of the year.

So, as I sit here scrolling through the sales, these opposing forces in my mind are battling it out. I’m holding strong for now, only purchasing the phone screen protectors my teenager seems to break every few months and a book. Fingers crossed I stay as vigilant for the rest of the silly season!