This year my family will do Secret Santa, something that makes me very happy since we reduce the number of presents to 1 per person :) I suggested this instead of the traditional way of giving, to be more sustainable and contribute less to consumerism. So happy my family agreed to it :)
That’s awesome! I’m happy to see people getting more sustainable and buying less unnecessary stuff! I’ve been talking to my family about being sustainable, contributing less to over-consumption…
I don’t buy holiday gifts. For my kids, we will go on a vacation and spend time together doing fun things. For my parents I get ‘experience’ things, as well. A nice meal or bottle of wine. I don’t like the idea of buying a ‘thing’ that most likely won’t get used.
My mom's seasonal decorations are reusable. She has great taste, and they are timeless. She never buys new decorations, because she reuses the same ones every year. 🎅🎄
totally!! thats what my family has always done too!! it would never cross our minds to throw them out each year... some of the ones we use are over 50yrs old :D
My favorite thing about seasonal decor that I can't do anymore because I had to move back in with my parents for health issues, is buying a living 'Potted Pine' tree and having it planted after the season. I used to have this dream of living on an acreage and planting the Christmas tree each year on my land and hanging a little marker for the year on it. Then each passing year, part of the tradition would be visiting the trees of past Christmases and maybe decorating them with wildlife food for the winter animals, hanging little bird houses and feeders. Also, lol, I love the low rise look! But I always used to wear long shirts tucked in or body suits with them. I have a long torso, so I liked the way the long lines looked (mine were always flared too!) but I wasn't into showing my midriff!
I like the idea of only buying one decor item (thrifted, if possible) per year… not only is it less consumption, but it’ll help me distinguish my style because I won’t be just grabbing for the latest trend all the time! It’s an idea I had last year and I think I like it :)
(It’s also a good place to start for me, since I’m new to sustainability… Gittemary, you’ve really inspired me by making it look feasible to live sustainably!)
Yes to everything except low rise, I tried so hard to do high waisted and it was uncomfortable and unflattering on me so I embrace the return of low rise with open arms. I wish everyone could just wear whatever styles they like without a fuss over it. I personally hated skinny jeans but they genuinely look good on many people (just not me!). I think it’s so silly and wasteful that people are ditching the pants they love and buying new just because TikTok told them to.
agreed! i completely agree about heroin chic being an absolutely terrible body trend that should never be romanticised- but low rise can be worn by anyone of any size or shape!!
It's important for me to highlight that this was not to say that people can't like certain styles. If you like low rise, absolutely rock it. My issue lies with the fashion industry that overexaggerates certain trend and pushes extremes that leaves out the diversity of actual people's bodies. The re-introduction of, not just low rise, but extremely low-rise styles, has sparked the narrative of heroin chic being back in, and I am not about that 😅
Yes! I struggle with higher waist jeans because of the size and shape of my body, so sometimes the only ones that fit are the low rise ones. Down with the messed up advertising and trending, but yay to having many different styles of trouser for our many different bodies ❤️
I don't buy anything at Christmas anymore. I hate the waste, I don't know what people want and I can't deal with the stress or bother of it. I know that the Scandinavian countries do home decoration extremely tastefully and sustainably most of the time but in America everything is tacky junk made in China that gets thrown away after one use including the ugly acrylic Christmas sweater and the tangled fairy lights. I agree with everything Gittemary says on this topic. The holiday season just seems to ramp up consumerism and waste to a hideous degree that is making us ill, poor and unhappy. Christmas is about the birth of a baby boy in a stable two thousand years ago. That's it. No need to buy all this garbage and gluttony to mark the occasion just have a simple meal, be kind to others, be charitable, expect nothing in return and go into New Years more free of debt and in a more positive frame of mind.
Re: low rise The last time low-rise jeans were in, I was size zero and had the figure to fit into them. However, I HATED them because they always were in danger of slipping below my butt crack! It was impossible to find any other style, too. It was very common in high school to pass by a bunch of girls sitting wearing low rise jeans and unknowingly partially mooning the public - it wasn't their fault because they were just wearing the jeans that were available at the time. I wasn't even aware of eating disorders/body dysmorphia at the time - I just thought this was a ruse to trick girls into revealing their bodies.
I keep stopping myself from buying Christmas ornaments. I've been so tempted by some really cute ones! But I want to actually make mine & I'm interested in acquiring a collection slowly or making a batch when I feel creatively inspired. Also, sourcing the materials second hand will be a fun, creative challenge. Plus, I already have so much craft supplies & paper bi-products are plentiful from all the products I already buy.
My sister insisted to get my parents ugly Christmas sweaters last year and I was able to convince her to get them second hand! And my parents absolutely love them, my mum thinks it's so cute and she wears it not only on christmas 😊😊😊
Thank you so much for this! I always avoid wrapping paper. I prefer bags that family can save and use for the next year. I also love to ask people what they want for the holidays. I know it can take away from the surprise but I genuinely want to give people things they will love and use as opposed to something that will collect dust.
Sometimes the biggesg surprise is yo got something we dreemed of 🙂 If it goes to wraping I've collected different paper bag during the year and before Christmas I buy one or two paperers with christmas patterns preper my DIY christmas bags 🙂
Agree on the point about glitter! It is the worst. I also hate the trend of buying new ugly sweaters. The charm was the fact that they were vintage to begin with lol!
The consumerism and waste that comes with this time of year stresses me out. I live in a big city in Canada, and every boxing day or the week after Christmas there are always giant black garbage bags full wrapping paper and excess waste at the end of every driveway - on top of the regular black bin!
I love this series, during the cost of living crisis I am focusing on the consume less part of sustainable living. A large part of this includes finding recipes that use up things I have in the pantry.
I so much agree about the Christmas sweaters. Most of my friends hate low rise jeans as well but I am a fan. It fits me more comfortably and I hate high rise. But I get how it would be shown in commercials it could be promoting being very skinny too much.
Same. I can see how the Britney-style very skinny low waisted pants can only fit a small part of the population. But other low waisted styles I find really comfortable too and I actually can't wait to see the whole high waisted bottoms/cropped uppers trend go, lol. I recently discovered that I have a very high natural waist so that's why almost no high waisted jeans actually fit me and if they do it looks ridiculous ^^"
Thank you this video and topic. With three zero waste kids we work so hard to reduce the amount of christmas gifts and focus more in experiences which they so love. However, my family absolutely love giving them nicknacks and holiday themed cups, socks and more and it's so challenging to not hurt their feelings but my don't really want.
You could ask that they give holiday themed socks/underwear/pajamas that the kids would need more of anyway? That way they can still give gifts, but the gifts have use after the holidays too. Also, asking for snacks, or marshmallows to put in hotchololate etc.something edible is also great and can be holiday themed.
I ask my familly for sock etc with pattern my child love most of that time. I rather do not buy this kind of stuff so if she get socks or blouse with unicorn or Elsa at Christmas she will be so happy and she would wear that almost every day for few months! So, try to tell what you prefer or what the kid is enjoying now, instead saying that you don't want that christmas stuff.
Thank you for this video, I really like to know what people stop buying. It is very interesting. This year I find it more difficult to resist seasonal decor. But checking second hand is a great idea! And this year, I have made my own Christmas tree, I crafted it with gifting paper that I kept from last year, I love it. Before we were using one of my house plants as a christmas tree. I will also bake lebkuchen and biscuits this year to bring a festive mood. Thank you for the video, it was great as always.
I maybe wanna get one or two Christmas decorations when I have some what "forever home" but for now, I'm moving around and I don't want to have one extra thing to drag with me every time I move. Definitely not glittery, maybe not even red, but something simple and cute. I know when I see it. For now we have dried orange slices and those have lasted a year now, I redid the wall hanging, because I wanted change. And I made stars with wool yarn and craft glue and hanged those from our curtain rod. That's good for us. And we're not going to be at home for Christmas anyways so 🤷
I don't buy or make gifts that aren't practical anymore. I personally hate trinkets that are useless for everyday life and take up space. So I don't buy or make them for me or other people when gift giving. I either make a practical gift with the skills I have or I find a practical gift that's secondhand.
Fleece don't have to be made out of plastic - allthough it is what people normallyl think of as fleece. But fleece is only describing the texture of the fabric - not what it is made of. Wool fleece is absolutely awesome.
We won't be buying wrapping paper, bows or cards. I have a ton of gift bags that we reuse each year. I don't need to buy them as ultimately somone will give me one for a holiday. We try to use what we already have.
Great video, Gittemary! I am with you on everything you mentioned. 😊Especially the last one. Low rise clothing is so unflattering to most body types and it's difficult to find jeans, etc. that come up to one's waist. Fortunately, I live in leggings (being retired) so it's not a problem for me. But when I was working, it was a challenge. 😝
Growing up, my family would always put a big pack of petroleum based lip balm in my stocking every year. I never got through the entire pack before the next Christmas came along and now still have dozens of tubes of the stuff. I don't think I'll need to buy lip balm for years
What I'm avoiding this holiday season--pretty much everything except festive foods that I can make myself from scratch and Hanukkah Candles (But I have natural wax ones) 🙂. I'm hoping you're planning a low-waste gift guide video, especially for little kids! That would be awesome; I have four small children to get gifts for, and one 27 year old. Everyone else is pretty much getting a homemade "make your own chocolate chip oatmeal bread in a jar" kit.
I also don't buy any christmas/holiday decorations. I live alone now but my parents have some at home but they use the same ones every year and some of those are handmade too!
I don't buy anything holiday related ( with the exception of vegan food). Another fantastic video Gittemary and have a good week. Love 🥰 the video and love 💕 Gittemary.
Think about it… Glitter… it’s “litter” with a “g” stuck in front of it. I intensely dislike g-litter!! AND while we’re on the topic of intense dislikes… yes, Gittemary, thank-you for mentioning the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” thing!! Where did that corny trend come from anyways… probably invented by the same people who invented glitter. OK, whew… I feel better now that I’ve had my little rant about gimmicky stuff that detracts from the festive spirit of the holidays and damages our precious Earth. Love this video… I feel ya on the intense dislikes Sistah!! YEASS to natural decor, and all things reusable, repurposed, handmade, home-baked, upcycled, thrifted, 2nd hand, pre-loved, and non-gimmicky!! 💦🌎Ⓜary💕
I could watch your videos everyday 😍 I will avoid buying candles as I have already too many and I want to switch the natural wax only when I finish them. I'll not buy low rise items either as I don't understand how I used to find them comfortable 20 years ago.. I hate how uncomfortable they feel!! Anyway since I discovered Vinted I only buy from it, it's my favourite app! So I will not be buying from any stores :-)
i haven't tried it yet but will be purchasing refillable candle wax from siblings co (i think?) and the bag the wax comes in is even compostable and then u can reuse pretty jars from used up candles.
Hi!! I'm a big fan of your channel!! I'm from Brazil and I have learned so much with you!! I was wondering where can I get the thing you use to clean your ears and the name of it, to see if I can find here in Brazil!! Thank you soooooo much and keep up with your wonderful work! ❤️
I'm with you on all of these, including fleece--but question--as a vegan, how do you feel about wearing wool? If it's second hand? New? This is a sincere question, and I'd be really interested in your opinion! Thanks for another great video!
So if you already HAVE paraffin candles, is it best to burn/use/enjoy them, donate them, throw them away…?? I’m not sure what the most sustainable thing is.
If you have the tiny tea-candles I'd save those for emergencies as they don't take much space and time doesn't do anything to them. With other ones, if you have a patio/balcony or any other semi-outdoorsy area I'd burn them there if you're worried about the fumes. But gifting them to someone who wants them and will actually use them is always the best option, so that person don't need to buy new ones.
How sustainable is shea butter? I know it's very hard to find and products that don't contain vaseline are expensive and don't work for me. I have one tin of vaseline lip balm n it has lasted me since 2019.
Exactly, those tins also lasts me years and all other lip balms I've tried break me out around the lips which is quite painful (they all seem to contain comodogenic stuff like coconut butter, shea butter etc.).
To me, we're not drilling oil for vaseline, that is just a by-product and even if everybody in the world stopped using vaseline, the fossil fuel industry would be just fine and continue on. At the very least, you're using something that might otherwise be wasted so I don't think you should feel bad for using something that works for you and you can afford.
Personly I am have struggled with an ED, body dismorphia, and sensory issues. I like low rise because I have found that because of my difficulties with self image, my stomach is an especially sensitive area of my body and I have trouble with things touching it. They also make me feel kind of confident for some reason. Perhaps because now we can see the style on so many different models unabashedly, or because it feels sort of like cloths are just cloths and fashion is simply fashion no maker who is wearing or doing it. I acknowledge that, especially in the 2000s, the trend of low rise was extremely toxic and horrifying, and that a more thin physique is coming into style again rather than the kardashian hourgless (though the fact that a body type is a style is sooo desturbing), but I dont think (and shure don't hope that) heroin shic is the fad again. Plus I feel and hope that we can make this trend positive and help spread body appreciation and neutrality rather than restriction and shame through it. Like a redo, the right way, or something. I also understand that you have a much deeper understanding of and lived through the hurtful experiences of the trend and because I was very young in the 2000s I have not in the same way. thus if you think that there is no way this trend could be turned into good I trust you who first hand experienced the unrepairable desolation this caused to know best 💙. Because it did cause severe travisties.
From a man's perspective and not just a seasonal thing: baggy clothes. I'm old enough that I experienced this trend in the 90s and now that I grew out of it, I'm ashamed of this fashion crime. It bothers me that clothes are now produced in a wide cut on purpose again. I can't find a sweater that isn't "oversize" where the shoulder seams aren't next to my elbow. I always have to choose one size smaller. Once the trend is over, these clothes won't find customers in thrift shops, because the sizes don't fit the cut.
Lol I didn't realize low-rise went out of style, and thus is coming back 😅😅 my low rise jeans are from the early 2000s... I guess I can say I am wearing in-vogue Vintage jeans now 😅😅
I'm not buying any wrapping paper. I'm actually going to be donating some of my wrapping paper stash to a helping the homeless event. I tried talking my co-organizer out of boxing & wrapping the care packs entirely and doing reusable drawstring bags instead (so the "wrapping" becomes a useful item), but she really wants them to unwrap some things and we just deal with bags of wrapping paper waste...so it's more for her than actually for the population we're helping. I'm hoping that donating what we haven't been using instead of letting them buy new wrapping paper will mitigate some of the wastefulness.
It's implied that it's a trend which comes back, so naturally a lot of people will follow it and stop wearing the high rise jeans they already own, possibly ending in the garbage and contributing to textile pollution.Not to mention that it takes a ton of resources to make a pair of jeans.
One thing I don't agree with is vaseline/mineral oil. Yes it is from the petroleum industry but it is a byproduct, a waste product. Companies aren't intentionally producing it, it's literally waste, isn't *not* using it, not sustainable? It's also so highly refined, pure and inert, it's the most effective occlusive ingredient in skincare, it is used in medical situations too. Comparing it to an alternative which has multiple ingredients which each have their own environmental impact, vaseline will be more sustainable every time. It's 1 ingredient which otherwise would have been put in landfill, we need to stop demonising it.
I wouldn’t say its a byproduct. Byproducts is when the production of something creates a less demanded and desirable product. The Vaseline industry is still making a profit when you buy it, yes landfill is the destination, but similar to not buying meat, if we don’t purchase Vaseline the demand for it will go down and because it is not profitable for companies to produce something they cannot sell they will stop producing it. If we just continue to buy the product nothing changes about the industry.
I completely agree and think that vaseline should not be demonised. It's a waste product that is helpful for so many people, especially with skin conditions, and affordable.
I won't be buying anything my family hasn't specifically asked for or knickknacks. Only useful wanted gifts period. No guessing and hoping they will like something.
#govintageorgohome !! im just anti-hauling "trends" altogether, if i really like something i can buy it second hand, i'd never buy something just for it to be trendy and then die out and stop using it, ugh that's so expensive and wasteful!!
heroin sheik is not the same as low rise! just wear a loose top and tuck it in .. nothing to bear... or layers :P Pretty sure when heroin chic first came in last time - low rise wouldnt arrive for another 5 plus years
I didn’t say it was the same thing 😅 however saying that heroin chic and clothing designed to only look good on very skinny or slim people are two unrelated elements of pop-culture is a massive miss. Low rise jeans have been available since the 70’s, but the two have been correlated for ages. The issue is not to simply “wear a loose top” the issue at hand is the fact that the fashion industry is pushing and promoting a certain style that fits a minority of the population comfortably ans causing massive mental health problems while during so 💁♀️
maybe its 11 things then ;) Low rise uses less fabric ... Ive always been on the fat side of things - and I always loved my low rise.. as many others my size did.. hence the term "muffin top".. which also didn't deter too many people from wearing low rise 😅
I feel like there is something wrong with the world in which you have to say ok I will sound like a Grinch..because you do the only reasonable thing and don't buy new decorations. I never bought any. I even made my mom a x-mas tree from scrap wood so she stopped buying and discarting trees. Now in my own flat I never decorate. I see no point. And this trend of getting something new every year is scary. My grandma has 70year old ornaments and let me tell you they are so prettty and well made and valuable for the family. How can cheap plastic be any of that? Ok rant over:) I am glad there are some like minded ppl. But unfortunaltly we are a minority
The candle thing is a massive struggle for me. :( I know it’s not good but I just love having lots of candles and the soy ones are too expensive unless you only use one. I started making my own candles with soy wax but it’s still not the same because I can’t get the smell right.
Why are we even talking about christmas when its not even december? I despise how the developed world reels from one holiday or celebration to another and how every holiday seems to need to be accepted globally. When did black friday become a thing in countries other than the US?
I stop buying smartphones in Android/iOS flavour. I swear by vintage Windows Phone ones. They have camera's that match the latest, but they massively declutter your life. No apps is such a relief! You only get the bare, bare minimum: calling, texting, Telegram, photo/video making, a horrible web browser for that emergency fact check, podcast app and navigation. Thats about it. Oh, and low rise is not bad. Low rise ladies pants are great for our hubbies. Their bottoms look better in them too.
paraffin wax is really toxic for burning! i purchase the beeswax that is left over after the bees are moved to their new hive after winter, from my local ethical beekeeper. glitter and micca powder in makeup too is a big one in winter season makeup! after a storm me and my children will go and pick up all the fallen pine cones and pine needles for our indoor decorations, we make our wreaths from vines also in our area. i usually hand knit something for our children and our advent calenders are filled with little notes of activities that we can do together, so much more enjoyable than going to a crowded shopping mall
Hello ,I have question that is not related to the topic...In another Video you mentioned that you dont shower everyday...I would also like to try showering less for my health and for the planet ..so the question is can i still put my skincare products like body oil and body cream everyday or should i apply it only on shower day ? I use 100% natural body cream and oil.
"glitter is the herpes of DIY"-Gittemary .....this needs to go on a sustainable second hand shirt
Agreed!!!!!!! ❤❤❤
I said what I said 😎
This year my family will do Secret Santa, something that makes me very happy since we reduce the number of presents to 1 per person :) I suggested this instead of the traditional way of giving, to be more sustainable and contribute less to consumerism. So happy my family agreed to it :)
It feels so freeing to reduce gift-giving and focus on less - in my family, we only do second-hand/homemade gifts and that has had the same effect 🌿🌿
that's awesome, we too do it for the first time this year! ☺️
That’s awesome! I’m happy to see people getting more sustainable and buying less unnecessary stuff! I’ve been talking to my family about being sustainable, contributing less to over-consumption…
I don’t buy holiday gifts. For my kids, we will go on a vacation and spend time together doing fun things. For my parents I get ‘experience’ things, as well. A nice meal or bottle of wine. I don’t like the idea of buying a ‘thing’ that most likely won’t get used.
I feel the same exact way about Y2K fashion, low-rise anything etc. coming back. Glad you spoke about it!
My mom's seasonal decorations are reusable. She has great taste, and they are timeless. She never buys new decorations, because she reuses the same ones every year. 🎅🎄
You mum sounds cool AF
@@Gittemary well, she certainly isn't the most zero waste person I know, but she just doesn't see the point in single-use decore.
totally!! thats what my family has always done too!! it would never cross our minds to throw them out each year... some of the ones we use are over 50yrs old :D
My mom has some Christmas decorations from when I was little, they are around 40 years old. She doesn't buy new decor for Christmas.
My favorite thing about seasonal decor that I can't do anymore because I had to move back in with my parents for health issues, is buying a living 'Potted Pine' tree and having it planted after the season. I used to have this dream of living on an acreage and planting the Christmas tree each year on my land and hanging a little marker for the year on it. Then each passing year, part of the tradition would be visiting the trees of past Christmases and maybe decorating them with wildlife food for the winter animals, hanging little bird houses and feeders.
Also, lol, I love the low rise look! But I always used to wear long shirts tucked in or body suits with them. I have a long torso, so I liked the way the long lines looked (mine were always flared too!) but I wasn't into showing my midriff!
That Christmas tree forest idea is so wonderful!
I like the idea of only buying one decor item (thrifted, if possible) per year… not only is it less consumption, but it’ll help me distinguish my style because I won’t be just grabbing for the latest trend all the time! It’s an idea I had last year and I think I like it :)
(It’s also a good place to start for me, since I’m new to sustainability… Gittemary, you’ve really inspired me by making it look feasible to live sustainably!)
Yes to everything except low rise, I tried so hard to do high waisted and it was uncomfortable and unflattering on me so I embrace the return of low rise with open arms. I wish everyone could just wear whatever styles they like without a fuss over it. I personally hated skinny jeans but they genuinely look good on many people (just not me!). I think it’s so silly and wasteful that people are ditching the pants they love and buying new just because TikTok told them to.
agreed! i completely agree about heroin chic being an absolutely terrible body trend that should never be romanticised- but low rise can be worn by anyone of any size or shape!!
It's important for me to highlight that this was not to say that people can't like certain styles. If you like low rise, absolutely rock it. My issue lies with the fashion industry that overexaggerates certain trend and pushes extremes that leaves out the diversity of actual people's bodies. The re-introduction of, not just low rise, but extremely low-rise styles, has sparked the narrative of heroin chic being back in, and I am not about that 😅
Yes! I struggle with higher waist jeans because of the size and shape of my body, so sometimes the only ones that fit are the low rise ones.
Down with the messed up advertising and trending, but yay to having many different styles of trouser for our many different bodies ❤️
The wastefulness and overconsumption of the holidays drives me crazy!! Love anti-hauls, love to see it. 💖
I don't buy anything at Christmas anymore. I hate the waste, I don't know what people want and I can't deal with the stress or bother of it.
I know that the Scandinavian countries do home decoration extremely tastefully and sustainably most of the time but in America everything is tacky junk made in China that gets thrown away after one use including the ugly acrylic Christmas sweater and the tangled fairy lights.
I agree with everything Gittemary says on this topic. The holiday season just seems to ramp up consumerism and waste to a hideous degree that is making us ill, poor and unhappy.
Christmas is about the birth of a baby boy in a stable two thousand years ago. That's it. No need to buy all this garbage and gluttony to mark the occasion just have a simple meal, be kind to others, be charitable, expect nothing in return and go into New Years more free of debt and in a more positive frame of mind.
Re: low rise
The last time low-rise jeans were in, I was size zero and had the figure to fit into them. However, I HATED them because they always were in danger of slipping below my butt crack! It was impossible to find any other style, too. It was very common in high school to pass by a bunch of girls sitting wearing low rise jeans and unknowingly partially mooning the public - it wasn't their fault because they were just wearing the jeans that were available at the time. I wasn't even aware of eating disorders/body dysmorphia at the time - I just thought this was a ruse to trick girls into revealing their bodies.
I keep stopping myself from buying Christmas ornaments. I've been so tempted by some really cute ones! But I want to actually make mine & I'm interested in acquiring a collection slowly or making a batch when I feel creatively inspired. Also, sourcing the materials second hand will be a fun, creative challenge. Plus, I already have so much craft supplies & paper bi-products are plentiful from all the products I already buy.
My sister insisted to get my parents ugly Christmas sweaters last year and I was able to convince her to get them second hand! And my parents absolutely love them, my mum thinks it's so cute and she wears it not only on christmas 😊😊😊
That’s so nice ☺️
I don’t buy Xmas gifts anymore. Baking, knitting or creating memories from activities are now my gifts of choice :)
Thank you so much for this! I always avoid wrapping paper. I prefer bags that family can save and use for the next year. I also love to ask people what they want for the holidays. I know it can take away from the surprise but I genuinely want to give people things they will love and use as opposed to something that will collect dust.
Sometimes the biggesg surprise is yo got something we dreemed of 🙂
If it goes to wraping I've collected different paper bag during the year and before Christmas I buy one or two paperers with christmas patterns preper my DIY christmas bags 🙂
Agree on the point about glitter! It is the worst. I also hate the trend of buying new ugly sweaters. The charm was the fact that they were vintage to begin with lol!
Consume consciously is the best way when it comes to purchasing anything!
The consumerism and waste that comes with this time of year stresses me out. I live in a big city in Canada, and every boxing day or the week after Christmas there are always giant black garbage bags full wrapping paper and excess waste at the end of every driveway - on top of the regular black bin!
I love this series, during the cost of living crisis I am focusing on the consume less part of sustainable living. A large part of this includes finding recipes that use up things I have in the pantry.
I so much agree about the Christmas sweaters. Most of my friends hate low rise jeans as well but I am a fan. It fits me more comfortably and I hate high rise. But I get how it would be shown in commercials it could be promoting being very skinny too much.
Same. I can see how the Britney-style very skinny low waisted pants can only fit a small part of the population. But other low waisted styles I find really comfortable too and I actually can't wait to see the whole high waisted bottoms/cropped uppers trend go, lol. I recently discovered that I have a very high natural waist so that's why almost no high waisted jeans actually fit me and if they do it looks ridiculous ^^"
Secondhand Fleece are the way to go ☺️ Our dryer has a particle filter, so no microplastic is going into the water.
Thank you this video and topic. With three zero waste kids we work so hard to reduce the amount of christmas gifts and focus more in experiences which they so love. However, my family absolutely love giving them nicknacks and holiday themed cups, socks and more and it's so challenging to not hurt their feelings but my don't really want.
You could ask that they give holiday themed socks/underwear/pajamas that the kids would need more of anyway? That way they can still give gifts, but the gifts have use after the holidays too. Also, asking for snacks, or marshmallows to put in hotchololate etc.something edible is also great and can be holiday themed.
I ask my familly for sock etc with pattern my child love most of that time. I rather do not buy this kind of stuff so if she get socks or blouse with unicorn or Elsa at Christmas she will be so happy and she would wear that almost every day for few months! So, try to tell what you prefer or what the kid is enjoying now, instead saying that you don't want that christmas stuff.
Thank you for this video, I really like to know what people stop buying. It is very interesting. This year I find it more difficult to resist seasonal decor.
But checking second hand is a great idea! And this year, I have made my own Christmas tree, I crafted it with gifting paper that I kept from last year, I love it. Before we were using one of my house plants as a christmas tree.
I will also bake lebkuchen and biscuits this year to bring a festive mood.
Thank you for the video, it was great as always.
I maybe wanna get one or two Christmas decorations when I have some what "forever home" but for now, I'm moving around and I don't want to have one extra thing to drag with me every time I move. Definitely not glittery, maybe not even red, but something simple and cute. I know when I see it.
For now we have dried orange slices and those have lasted a year now, I redid the wall hanging, because I wanted change. And I made stars with wool yarn and craft glue and hanged those from our curtain rod. That's good for us. And we're not going to be at home for Christmas anyways so 🤷
I don't buy or make gifts that aren't practical anymore. I personally hate trinkets that are useless for everyday life and take up space. So I don't buy or make them for me or other people when gift giving. I either make a practical gift with the skills I have or I find a practical gift that's secondhand.
I'm so happy I found a lip balm made of bees wax and natural oils that's also made in my country
Absolutely loved all the points you made! Especially your points on ugly Christmas sweaters & low rise jeans
I also saved the good boxes and gift bags I received last year and will be reusing them
Fleece don't have to be made out of plastic - allthough it is what people normallyl think of as fleece. But fleece is only describing the texture of the fabric - not what it is made of. Wool fleece is absolutely awesome.
We won't be buying wrapping paper, bows or cards. I have a ton of gift bags that we reuse each year. I don't need to buy them as ultimately somone will give me one for a holiday. We try to use what we already have.
Great video, Gittemary! I am with you on everything you mentioned. 😊Especially the last one. Low rise clothing is so unflattering to most body types and it's difficult to find jeans, etc. that come up to one's waist. Fortunately, I live in leggings (being retired) so it's not a problem for me. But when I was working, it was a challenge. 😝
Watching this in July. Love ❤️
Growing up, my family would always put a big pack of petroleum based lip balm in my stocking every year. I never got through the entire pack before the next Christmas came along and now still have dozens of tubes of the stuff. I don't think I'll need to buy lip balm for years
Thank you for planting that seed of thought during this time of year🥰
Totally agree, especially with the whole "new ugly sweater" trend 🙄 I have the same wooden Christmas tree you have, by the way!
I used to volunteer at a thrift store we had so many holiday decorations that were just junk. Nobody wanted them.
What I'm avoiding this holiday season--pretty much everything except festive foods that I can make myself from scratch and Hanukkah Candles (But I have natural wax ones) 🙂. I'm hoping you're planning a low-waste gift guide video, especially for little kids! That would be awesome; I have four small children to get gifts for, and one 27 year old. Everyone else is pretty much getting a homemade "make your own chocolate chip oatmeal bread in a jar" kit.
I also don't buy any christmas/holiday decorations. I live alone now but my parents have some at home but they use the same ones every year and some of those are handmade too!
I don't buy anything holiday related ( with the exception of vegan food). Another fantastic video Gittemary and have a good week. Love 🥰 the video and love 💕 Gittemary.
Think about it… Glitter… it’s “litter” with a “g” stuck in front of it. I intensely dislike g-litter!! AND while we’re on the topic of intense dislikes… yes, Gittemary, thank-you for mentioning the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” thing!! Where did that corny trend come from anyways… probably invented by the same people who invented glitter. OK, whew… I feel better now that I’ve had my little rant about gimmicky stuff that detracts from the festive spirit of the holidays and damages our precious Earth. Love this video… I feel ya on the intense dislikes Sistah!! YEASS to natural decor, and all things reusable, repurposed, handmade, home-baked, upcycled, thrifted, 2nd hand, pre-loved, and non-gimmicky!! 💦🌎Ⓜary💕
I could watch your videos everyday 😍
I will avoid buying candles as I have already too many and I want to switch the natural wax only when I finish them. I'll not buy low rise items either as I don't understand how I used to find them comfortable 20 years ago.. I hate how uncomfortable they feel!! Anyway since I discovered Vinted I only buy from it, it's my favourite app! So I will not be buying from any stores :-)
I also won't be participating in secret santa at work or white elephant. So many unwanted items.
i haven't tried it yet but will be purchasing refillable candle wax from siblings co (i think?) and the bag the wax comes in is even compostable and then u can reuse pretty jars from used up candles.
YOUR SWEATER IS SO CUTE OMGG
Yes to no more glitter!!!
Hi!! I'm a big fan of your channel!! I'm from Brazil and I have learned so much with you!! I was wondering where can I get the thing you use to clean your ears and the name of it, to see if I can find here in Brazil!! Thank you soooooo much and keep up with your wonderful work! ❤️
What about stearic candles?
Some clarification about the word fleece would be helpful, since fleece is also the word for a sheep’s coat before it is processed!
I'm with you on all of these, including fleece--but question--as a vegan, how do you feel about wearing wool? If it's second hand? New? This is a sincere question, and I'd be really interested in your opinion! Thanks for another great video!
So if you already HAVE paraffin candles, is it best to burn/use/enjoy them, donate them, throw them away…?? I’m not sure what the most sustainable thing is.
If you have the tiny tea-candles I'd save those for emergencies as they don't take much space and time doesn't do anything to them. With other ones, if you have a patio/balcony or any other semi-outdoorsy area I'd burn them there if you're worried about the fumes. But gifting them to someone who wants them and will actually use them is always the best option, so that person don't need to buy new ones.
What upsets me is sets of plastic xmas biscuit cutters. How often will they actually be used? Parafin candles trigger my asthma!
It is worth to tell that this natural candles (soy or wax) last much longer time that those made from petroleum.
Thrift stores have seriously the BEST 'ugly' sweaters, so much so that why would anyone want to buy a premade new one that is just ugly in a lame way?
How sustainable is shea butter? I know it's very hard to find and products that don't contain vaseline are expensive and don't work for me. I have one tin of vaseline lip balm n it has lasted me since 2019.
Exactly, those tins also lasts me years and all other lip balms I've tried break me out around the lips which is quite painful (they all seem to contain comodogenic stuff like coconut butter, shea butter etc.).
To me, we're not drilling oil for vaseline, that is just a by-product and even if everybody in the world stopped using vaseline, the fossil fuel industry would be just fine and continue on. At the very least, you're using something that might otherwise be wasted so I don't think you should feel bad for using something that works for you and you can afford.
Personly I am have struggled with an ED, body dismorphia, and sensory issues. I like low rise because I have found that because of my difficulties with self image, my stomach is an especially sensitive area of my body and I have trouble with things touching it. They also make me feel kind of confident for some reason. Perhaps because now we can see the style on so many different models unabashedly, or because it feels sort of like cloths are just cloths and fashion is simply fashion no maker who is wearing or doing it.
I acknowledge that, especially in the 2000s, the trend of low rise was extremely toxic and horrifying, and that a more thin physique is coming into style again rather than the kardashian hourgless (though the fact that a body type is a style is sooo desturbing), but I dont think (and shure don't hope that) heroin shic is the fad again. Plus I feel and hope that we can make this trend positive and help spread body appreciation and neutrality rather than restriction and shame through it. Like a redo, the right way, or something.
I also understand that you have a much deeper understanding of and lived through the hurtful experiences of the trend and because I was very young in the 2000s I have not in the same way. thus if you think that there is no way this trend could be turned into good I trust you who first hand experienced the unrepairable desolation this caused to know best 💙. Because it did cause severe travisties.
From a man's perspective and not just a seasonal thing: baggy clothes. I'm old enough that I experienced this trend in the 90s and now that I grew out of it, I'm ashamed of this fashion crime. It bothers me that clothes are now produced in a wide cut on purpose again. I can't find a sweater that isn't "oversize" where the shoulder seams aren't next to my elbow. I always have to choose one size smaller. Once the trend is over, these clothes won't find customers in thrift shops, because the sizes don't fit the cut.
Lol I didn't realize low-rise went out of style, and thus is coming back 😅😅 my low rise jeans are from the early 2000s... I guess I can say I am wearing in-vogue Vintage jeans now 😅😅
I'm not buying any wrapping paper. I'm actually going to be donating some of my wrapping paper stash to a helping the homeless event. I tried talking my co-organizer out of boxing & wrapping the care packs entirely and doing reusable drawstring bags instead (so the "wrapping" becomes a useful item), but she really wants them to unwrap some things and we just deal with bags of wrapping paper waste...so it's more for her than actually for the population we're helping. I'm hoping that donating what we haven't been using instead of letting them buy new wrapping paper will mitigate some of the wastefulness.
I have stopped buying Chrstmas decorations, I have decided i will have something more unicoour and use it till it is beat up.
Why low rise clothes are detrimental?
i was confused by that one too - I think it just goes on her pet hate list :P
It's implied that it's a trend which comes back, so naturally a lot of people will follow it and stop wearing the high rise jeans they already own, possibly ending in the garbage and contributing to textile pollution.Not to mention that it takes a ton of resources to make a pair of jeans.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
One thing I don't agree with is vaseline/mineral oil. Yes it is from the petroleum industry but it is a byproduct, a waste product. Companies aren't intentionally producing it, it's literally waste, isn't *not* using it, not sustainable? It's also so highly refined, pure and inert, it's the most effective occlusive ingredient in skincare, it is used in medical situations too. Comparing it to an alternative which has multiple ingredients which each have their own environmental impact, vaseline will be more sustainable every time. It's 1 ingredient which otherwise would have been put in landfill, we need to stop demonising it.
I wouldn’t say its a byproduct. Byproducts is when the production of something creates a less demanded and desirable product. The Vaseline industry is still making a profit when you buy it, yes landfill is the destination, but similar to not buying meat, if we don’t purchase Vaseline the demand for it will go down and because it is not profitable for companies to produce something they cannot sell they will stop producing it. If we just continue to buy the product nothing changes about the industry.
I completely agree and think that vaseline should not be demonised. It's a waste product that is helpful for so many people, especially with skin conditions, and affordable.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I won't be buying anything my family hasn't specifically asked for or knickknacks. Only useful wanted gifts period. No guessing and hoping they will like something.
Heroine Chic, torturing young girls from the 90's, shouldn't be seen again, it wasn't fun the first time. The flannelette shirts were great though 👌
#govintageorgohome !! im just anti-hauling "trends" altogether, if i really like something i can buy it second hand, i'd never buy something just for it to be trendy and then die out and stop using it, ugh that's so expensive and wasteful!!
heroin sheik is not the same as low rise! just wear a loose top and tuck it in .. nothing to bear... or layers :P Pretty sure when heroin chic first came in last time - low rise wouldnt arrive for another 5 plus years
I didn’t say it was the same thing 😅 however saying that heroin chic and clothing designed to only look good on very skinny or slim people are two unrelated elements of pop-culture is a massive miss. Low rise jeans have been available since the 70’s, but the two have been correlated for ages. The issue is not to simply “wear a loose top” the issue at hand is the fact that the fashion industry is pushing and promoting a certain style that fits a minority of the population comfortably ans causing massive mental health problems while during so 💁♀️
maybe its 11 things then ;) Low rise uses less fabric ... Ive always been on the fat side of things - and I always loved my low rise.. as many others my size did.. hence the term "muffin top".. which also didn't deter too many people from wearing low rise 😅
Vaseline is not a by product of petroleum.
Follow Dr.Dray. She’s an awesome dermatologist on utube. It’s perfectly safe and economical.
Funny on the back of vaseline it says “100% petroleum” 😉😂 whether it is safe or economical wasn’t the issue tho
@@Gittemary yes you’re right. I rewatched Dr. Dray’s video😳 all I meant was it isn’t toxic
I feel like there is something wrong with the world in which you have to say ok I will sound like a Grinch..because you do the only reasonable thing and don't buy new decorations. I never bought any. I even made my mom a x-mas tree from scrap wood so she stopped buying and discarting trees. Now in my own flat I never decorate. I see no point. And this trend of getting something new every year is scary. My grandma has 70year old ornaments and let me tell you they are so prettty and well made and valuable for the family. How can cheap plastic be any of that? Ok rant over:) I am glad there are some like minded ppl. But unfortunaltly we are a minority
The candle thing is a massive struggle for me. :( I know it’s not good but I just love having lots of candles and the soy ones are too expensive unless you only use one. I started making my own candles with soy wax but it’s still not the same because I can’t get the smell right.
Why are we even talking about christmas when its not even december? I despise how the developed world reels from one holiday or celebration to another and how every holiday seems to need to be accepted globally. When did black friday become a thing in countries other than the US?
Maybe because I've already Bot bought most of presents and stuff I need for Christmas to avoid that commercial time during December.
Holiday clothes are 1000% NO. Even second hand. I'm not paying a shirt I'll wear 3 times per year and then store it. Nope, nope, nope.
WHAT I THOUGHT FLEECE WAS MADE OF ANIMAL FIBERS???
I stop buying smartphones in Android/iOS flavour. I swear by vintage Windows Phone ones. They have camera's that match the latest, but they massively declutter your life. No apps is such a relief! You only get the bare, bare minimum: calling, texting, Telegram, photo/video making, a horrible web browser for that emergency fact check, podcast app and navigation. Thats about it.
Oh, and low rise is not bad. Low rise ladies pants are great for our hubbies. Their bottoms look better in them too.
paraffin wax is really toxic for burning! i purchase the beeswax that is left over after the bees are moved to their new hive after winter, from my local ethical beekeeper. glitter and micca powder in makeup too is a big one in winter season makeup! after a storm me and my children will go and pick up all the fallen pine cones and pine needles for our indoor decorations, we make our wreaths from vines also in our area. i usually hand knit something for our children and our advent calenders are filled with little notes of activities that we can do together, so much more enjoyable than going to a crowded shopping mall
Hello ,I have question that is not related to the topic...In another Video you mentioned that you dont shower everyday...I would also like to try showering less for my health and for the planet ..so the question is can i still put my skincare products like body oil and body cream everyday or should i apply it only on shower day ? I use 100% natural body cream and oil.