I hate buying disposable items. It is an environmental and financial issue for me. I go ballistic when I see commercials for new disposable items like the flushable toilet bowl cleaners. I believe it is less about convenience for the shopper and more about creating a product that the consumer throws away and has to purchase again and again.
How do I combat the disposable industry?
I don't buy paper towels. I use dishtowels for mopping up messes and newspaper for cleaning windows. (Although with a baby on the way, I may change my stance on this).
I don't use paper plates, cups, napkins, etc. Paul and I always use china plates, glasses and silverware. The only exception is if we are having a large party.
Ok, so I do buy toilet paper and am pretty happy to have it around
it does degrade so at least there isn't an impact on the environment.
How about Christmas trees? Last year Paul and I decided to shop around and price-compare live trees. We went to several lots, but the size of the trees we were looking at were in the $70 range.
We opted to try Home Depot to see if we could get a better deal. When we got there, the place was packed and the trees were stacked horizontally in "bins". Everyone was rummaging through the bins, tripping over dismembered tree limbs. It looked like Filene's Basement during their famous wedding dress sale. It was definitely not a Hallmark moment. It killed our holiday mood so we decided to leave.
As we walked out of the store, we noticed how nice the artificial trees looked. Frustrated and exhausted, we decided to bite the bullet and purchase an artificial tree. It cost us just a little more than the trees we saw of the same size at the lot. I believe we paid $90. When the tree goes up again this year, we will already have made money on the investment.
A few of my favorite things about having an artificial tree:
It looks amazingly realistic and quite beautiful especially when decorated.
It doesn't need water.
I don't get pine needles all over the house.
It is very sturdy, standing up to curious bulldogs.
The needles don't get crispy after a few weeks.
It is at the house and ready to go for when we want to put it up.
Being nine months pregnant, I am very happy not to have to repeat my Christmas tree hunt from last year.
After the holidays, I don't have to drag it outside and put it on the curb for garbage pick up. I have always found that terribly depressing.
What do I not like about the artificial tree? I miss the smell of a live tree.
Paul and I do look forward to purchasing live trees in the future, especially when our baby is older and can really appreciate it. But for now, it is nice having our artificial tree to fall back on when needed. It was definitely a budget savvy investment for us.
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