The cicadas were just about deafening outside our house on the weekend, an unmistakable sound of Summer, and with it, the conjuring up of memories of time spent playing outside as a kid. Summer days playing cricket in the backyard, running through the sprinkler, sucking on Sunny Boys, the smell of rain on the hot asphalt.
These cicadas got me thinking more about my memories of Christmas as a kid, and which ones have stood the test of time, some 30 years later.
I realised I couldn’t remember a single present that I got from Santa as a kid*. This kind of surprised me given so much of Christmas as a kid IS about presents!
I thought more and realised that my memories are all about the build up to Christmas. At school we’d light special Advent candles in the month prior. You could feel Christmas coming. At the end of November, my Mum would take us to choose a chocolate Advent calendar from the shops – being allowed to eat a chocolate every day for 24 days was amazing! Dad would take us out to cut down a Christmas tree (in those days some-what illegally and free from the side of the railway line, “Kate, they’re weeds, we’re doing them a favour!” he would say).
On Christmas Eve we would put carrots out for the reindeer, and a stubby of beer for Santa. I remember all the emotions; the anticipation, the nervousness, trying to hurry up and go to sleep, but also half wanting to stay awake in case I might catch him! Then the thrill on Christmas morning.
But I cannot remember the presents. Nor giant inflatable Santas, extravagant wrapping, table settings and certainly not what anybody was wearing to social and family gatherings. It was simply the magic of it all.
With all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday noise, I wondered if others felt this way too? To help find out I decided to asked friends and family what their favourite memories of Christmas were. I loved hearing their enthusiastic responses and there was a definite theme:
- Food is easily number one for people, especially desserts like pav, trifle and puddings (some being set on fire!)
- Going to the local carols or watching them on TV
- Santa sacks placed at the end of beds or under the tree, and eagerly awaiting the morning
- Christmas morning swims at the beach
- Watching Christmas movies (National Lampoons Christmas Vacation a hit!)
- Family gatherings
While the excitement of getting presents was huge, people’s responses were about the anticipation, not the actual products. Right up there with the presents was the experiences that took place with others; the shared moments.
It makes me think, if our memories aren’t about the photo posted on social media, the perfectly decorated tree, the novelty tongs, Christmas hand towels and doormats, it makes it easier to remind ourselves that we don’t have to buy into it all, literally.
We can ignore the sparkly nick-nacks placed deliberately near the checkout and remember that the photos on social media are staged, and don't reflect what's really taking place. In doing so we can help reduce the stress on our environment - all those inflatable Santas are going to come a cropper at some point - our wallets, and ourselves.
So, here are Cactus Revival’s top tips for a more planet friendly but just as Merry Christmas!
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Op shops have an abundance of Christmas decorations.
If your decorations are looking a little tired (though personally I love our 30 year old tinsel!) have a look at the Op Shop before buying new.
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Christmas trees - fake or fresh?
This is an ongoing question. On balance, buying a fresh tree rather than a plastic one is best, which is great to hear as it is a fun tradition to pick a tree and drive home with it Chevy Chase style. If you’re going for full marks, a native plant in a pot that you can put in your garden afterwards is right up there (you can also buy these at Christmas tree farms).
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Advent calendars.
When my son was little, we started the tradition of making our own advent calendar. We took colourful paper from a magazine and made little parcels, filling them with a lolly and an activity written on paper. The next year we moved to a reusable fabric one where we sewed little pouches from wool scraps and tied these with string to a fallen down branch. We still use this version today, years later.
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Gift experiences rather than things.
This one is a little easier for the bigger people in your life. Experiences create memories that can last a lifetime. We remember the trip to the Drive In for longer than the new hoodie we wore there. Passes to skating rinks, indoor trampolining, gin tastings, chocolate tours, and the zoo all make great gifts. For extra points, send the voucher online or print it on paper, rather than buying a plastic voucher card.
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When buying physical gifts, really think of the person’s interests before heading out shopping.
If you’ve seen the recent documentary Buy Now on Netflix, you’ll know that it’s become common practice for brands to send returned items - unused and unworn - straight to landfill or for incineration as it’s financially cheaper than reselling them (This is hard to fathom, I know). If possible, buy local and handmade. Markets are great options; often outside with food and music they’re a great day out, and far more pleasant than fighting for a carpark at the florescent filled shopping centre.
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Workplace gifts.
If your workplace does a KrisKringle, mix it up a bit and make the gift requirement second-hand or handmade. Workplace gifts are often novelty focused anyway, why not add to this with a fabulous op shop find!
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Make your own decorations.
This is a great way to get into the festive spirit, slow down for an hour or so during a busy time and create precious memories. Our tree decorations include some that are 40 years old! They bring smiles to our faces each year. Check out Pinterest for some great tutorials.
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Wrap sustainably.
These days lots of wrapping paper contains plastic by stealth (as a coating), and therefore can’t be recycled. Good old brown paper, dressed up with kids' drawings or stamps not only looks great and is a hit with relatives, it’s also recyclable. Second hand scarves – think the decorative type, not footy! – or tea towels (you’ll find loads brand new at the Op Shop) are also great for wrapping and provide a double gift. Check out this video on furoshiki wrapping or this PDF
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Gift tags.
Make your own in minutes by cutting off the messages from previous Christmas Cards and punching a hole in the front of the card to make a tags. Attach to gifts with ribbon from the op shop.
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Avoid fast fashion and consumption retailers.
Fast fashion brands are not only causing massive damage to our environment, their actual products can be unsafe too. “Consumer advocate Choice recently tested 15 battery-powered products purchased from Temu such as games, light-up costumes and watches, and found they all failed at least one mandatory regulatory requirement.” The old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ certainly comes to mind.
*I do however remember a set of Derwent pencils (the best) from my Grandmother, and the hand-made earrings my 13-year old brother made me while he was in hospital. How special they made me feel because they required effort, thought and care, and were made just for me. Thirty years later and they are still one of my most treasured gifts.
