To Buy Or Not To Buy?

I've had a shift in conscience over the past year or so, and felt moved to slow down and really look at our family's habits as consumers. What are we buying and why? Where did this item come from and who made it? I find myself filling bags of "stuff" for Goodwill and wondering just how we came to own and then give away all of it so quickly.

We are part of a "disposable" culture. But disposable doesn't mean something just disappears. What happens to our garbage and our unwanted items? Not only that, but what went into creating the item in the first place? I think specifically of clothing since I am always buying stuff for the ever-growing children in this family! I love deals that I can get at Target on kid's clothes, but then I think of the price point that I am willing to pay - usually only $5-$10 maximum - and what that means in the production process of the clothes. Rarely are they made in the U.S. So, the price has to cover shipping costs, productions costs and the garment factory workers who produce them. These items are often made quickly, and with decent but not long-lasting materials. This almost guarantees that the item will not last until next year.

I have turned to buying most of the boy's clothes from Goodwill and second-hand stores. I won't buy just anything, and often search for an hour to find a few pieces of good quality, name brand clothing for them. While I'm browsing, I think of the clothes my kids have worn out over the year - often purchased from department stores at low prices - and the fact that most of them wouldn't even make it onto the resale floor due to poor condition. So, either they are recycled as animal shelter bedding or thrown away. I'm trying to be much more aware of what I buy and why I'm buying it.

I'm also attempting to apply this thought process to other areas of our lives - the food we eat (eggs from our chickens, etc.), the way I decorate my house (what can I MAKE vs. what can I BUY), what will stand the test of time (what do I want to hand down to my kids?). I crocheted a headband for Max and two sets of mittens on strings for the boys this year. They don't lose their mittens now, so instead of buying a thousand pair of $1 gloves like I did last year, I spent some time making these ones and feel great that I made something to keep my kids warm. I am also crocheting a tree skirt (that I hope will be an heirloom item) and a wreath for my front door.

I have also been Christmas shopping since summertime this year. I've been very intentional about what I buy and where I buy it from. Yes, many of our gifts came from Amazon.com this year, but we can still support small businesses selling items on Amazon. We also were able to read reviews and make decisions on the quality of each gift based on those reviews. I chose to purchase a few items from local stores - Meyer Jewelers for one - to keep money flowing in our local economy as well. Aaron and I are trying to be better stewards of our money, and making choices like this is part of that.

Aaron kind of kicked off this whole thought process when he started his woodworking in earnest last year. Together we built our own backyard chicken coop from scratch and found that we are capable of creating some pretty amazing things. He wants to continue to make things that will last and  teach himself more about the art of woodworking in the process.

So, just a little of what's been on my mind lately. So excited for this Christmas season that we've been preparing for over many months! Not just the gifts, but the thoughts and love behind them.

Merry & Bright

 

Decorating the tree, after a night of driving through town looking at Christmas lights!

 

(Note Max's "Smith Sister Face" in above photo...!)

 

St. Nick morning