Our GREEN Christmas

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE....What's that gotta do with Christmas?! Well, let me tell you what our family decided to do.

First off, many families have taken the focus of Jesus' birth, love, the gift He is to us, joy, peace, and being grateful and have turned it into such a mess of busyness, parties, expensive gifts that I have just been revolted and disheartened with the whole thing. As many of you have already chose to do, we just have to take a stand and continue to celebrate Jesus.

That said...here's what we decided to do. No going into debt...no putting off bills that need paid. We took what little money we had left in the budget and decided to purchase gifts for the kids. They LOVE presents as does anyone! :) Presents aren't bad it's the spirit of the season that has upset me. With my husband just returning to work after being off for almost 3 months we had $20 to spend on each kiddo. I searched the local supercenters and found nothing worthy of purchase.

Then a thought occurred to me! We shop second hand for clothing and miscellaneous household items as well as toys and games throughout the year...why not NOW! Not only can I find more for our money but we can help the environment at the same time! All that extra packaging and boxes on the new items would not be in the land fill (reducing) and we are re-using/recycling someone else's past treasure into one of our own! So, it's good on the pocket book and good for the earth that our God created so lovingly for us to enjoy!

Here's what the girls got: the Fisher Price doll house w/ accessories from Craigslist.com, 2 Ballerina dolls (one not pictured) with 2 Angelina Ballerina videos (not pictured) from Craigslist, and a Doll head for accessorizing from a local thrift store. I purchased some small clips and a brush for a few dollars but everything else was used. Total spent: About $40 The doll house alone could have cost over $85 new.

And the boys? Well, from the thrift store they got a light brite cube w/ tons of pegs and accessories, a talking GI Joe to add to the collection, bug domino game, 3 in 1 Golf chipping game (new in package), an electronic golf game and an electronic educational word game (not pictured). Their other gift is the repair of a go cart that someone gave us. It needs a new tire and some engine work which my hubby is so good at. ;) Total spent: about $40 as well.


Of course, Grandpa and their Nanny bought them some other items but we feel really good about what we chose to do this year. I feel SO good that next year I plan to shop thrift stores and Craigslist in advance rather then trying to gather all these items within the last few days before Christmas! ;)

So...Go Jesus! (by keeping Him the focus) and Go Green (by buying used)!