One of the frustrations of raising young children in the USA is the monthly ritual of birthday parties where everyone takes turns being the recipient of two cubic yards of "stuff". The gifts are almost invariably plastic junk from China via Walmart or Amazon. They hold my children's attention for about a week and then spend the rest of their lifetime occupying space in my house or in a landfill.
I absolutely hate this. Why can't we stop doing it? I look around and it's like no one sees the futility and stupidity of it. The social manipulation is so effective and complete that there's not even a single thought of the consequences of all this waste to the environment or even our own lives.
Recently, everything is covered in this pernicious glitter that rubs off when you touch it and leaves a trail of microplastic pollution everywhere it goes.
It's not hyperbolic to say that I put on a stoic face but inside I am on my knees begging for us to wake up and stop the madness.
Here in Ireland we got around this by providing a small sum of money (agreed by parents) in a card in lieu of cheap presents. That way the child gets to put the money towards savings, or a great present like a computer game.
We started giving a book or two with 2 - 3 chocolates on top. Even if the kid reads it in a week, they can then bring it to the used book store to trade it in for a different book.
We do a book exchange where everyone brings a wrapped book and each kid takes one when they leave. Generally we bring a few backup books for the guests who accidentally brought a regular gift. It’s worked out well so far.
Similarly it's the same feeling I have towards cards. Birthday cards, get-well cards, mother/father day cards, valentine cards. All thrown out in a matter of days if not the same day, yet the older generations still think they are important to get piece of card often with a generic salutation. To reject this tradition is akin to aversion of showing good will. There needs to be a acceptable token of appreciation that's not thrown away.
I absolutely hate this. Why can't we stop doing it? I look around and it's like no one sees the futility and stupidity of it. The social manipulation is so effective and complete that there's not even a single thought of the consequences of all this waste to the environment or even our own lives.
Recently, everything is covered in this pernicious glitter that rubs off when you touch it and leaves a trail of microplastic pollution everywhere it goes.
It's not hyperbolic to say that I put on a stoic face but inside I am on my knees begging for us to wake up and stop the madness.