Sustainable Toy Buys this Christmas…

Now that we are on our final stretch, one week to Christmas day !! I thought I would do up a post about my Christmas toy shopping this year.

So back in October I did up a post about buying less plastic Christmas toys this year and to buy more sustainable toys. Tap here for the post!

To be honest it was tough. The Santa lists was full of items from the Smyths and Argos catalogue! (Paw patrol, LOL, Lego, Barbie etc!) 

But my little ones are still young enough that I can sway them to look for something else!! Dropping my hints of items that I’ve already bought! Thanks to your comments and help with my “Best toys” buys post, that I featured on the page. 

If your like me and some purchases could not be got that is wooden, I looked out for toys that I know would last and will be used for years to come. Most plastic used in Lego or Playmobil, for example, is not recyclable, but you will get many years of play out of them, and they can be reused by younger siblings or cousins a few years down the line. 

On the other hand also, looking around the playroom few days after Christmas and seeing toys that haven’t been played with is so disheartening (especially when you know how much of your hard earned money went on them). So this year I decided to do it a little differently. I bought the kids Wooden toys, in Aldi, Lidl, Ikea etc! 

I also asked for gifts that would help towards doing more activities or experiences with the kids, likes of vouchers towards fun activities, days out etc.

Scaling down our consumption, being more environmentally conscious with our choices, and supporting local producers is not only kinder on the environment, but on our pockets, too. 

Also consider buying preloved good toys that are available in few charity shops or online like Adverts, eBay or DoneDeal. 

Buying second-hand will not only save you money but also help to conserve the planet’s energy and resources. Also by donating unwanted toys Give children a sense of giving or donating, rather just receiving, by encouraging them to pick three toys they no longer play with, and then have them bring the items to charity shop.  It can make for an impactful and meaningful lesson about the spirit of Christmas, as well as a valuable example of reducing and reusing. 

This Christmas consider locally made gifts Buying things from halfway around the world makes no sense, especially when craft fairs and artisan shops allow you buy things directly from the maker with zero transportation costs. Buying locally helps to build communities and introduces you to the often reticent makers beavering away in your locality, embroidering, painting, beekeeping, whittling wood, weaving willow, or growing and producing food. Support your smaller local businesses this Christmas. 

If your children have been learning about the environment in school, maybe this is the year to start a discussion about toys, consumption and their impact on the planet. 

Thanks so much to everyone who messaged and there was some great ideas too; money towards the zoo yearly pass, Tayto park yearly pass, Gaiety shows / pantomimes, day out with all the  family, like day to wild lights. 

Going to try it this year (and of course Santa will be bringing a few surprises too!!) but going to cut down on our plastic usage and ultimately the cost of Christmas 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours.