I don't really come from a well off family. I never really got many gifts for these occasions and you can say, I prefer to play in the mud than be glued to tv like today's average kids. So now that I've grown up and must attend family dos on Christmas, it really sickens me to see how much is spent on useless junk and how much we really waste in our lives.
Just looking at what my fiance's nephews and nieces got for Christmas, I know that they all love their kids, but is materialism really the only way to show them you love them? Nephew #1 got a boxing set that cost $50, which, after a few games of backyard cricket, had been stepped onto and broken by the end of the day. Nephew #2 got a Superman that shoots plastic disks (quite dangerous really, for a three year old), 2 remote control cars and at the end of the night was still complaining because he wanted the boxing set as well. Niece #1 insisted that she wanted each individual thing wrapped so it feels like she has million presents and still wanted to go shopping.
After a couple of Christmases there is a pile of broken, yet still clean toys on the side of the garden.
And here we are, wondering how the human race really ruined the environment.
Oh, Christmas wasn't the end of it - the POST Christmas sales starts on Boxing day, especially the big Myer sale that lures everyone lining up before 6am just to get the bargains. Many things people would not have bought and would never have thought they need they'll buy simply because it's on sale.
Seriously - the dress you bought yesterday is still quite alright! You don't need another one!
Well, there is my post-Christmas vent.
