Today I had to pop into town to support some friends who were running a craft fair. It was so lovely and I was amazed at the incredible skilfully made crafts. This blog post is in no way about that.

This is about the hundreds of People buying stuff for the sake of it. Mindless gifts that just contribute to massive overuse of plastic and waste.

What made me feel so sad was walking through the town centre, full of people buying STUFF. Christmas is far from my favourite time of year, partly because of the mindless consumerism that comes with it.

Shops full of Christmas themed things, that made me think what will happen to all that come January? What a waste.

People spending money on things they don’t need and things people don’t really even want. Of course one has the right to spend money however they see fit, but in a world with immense suffering and inequality surely there’s a better way to spend money.

Support small business, shop local and ethical. I have bought everyone I care about a small thoughtful gift without putting money into the pockets of multi million companies that contribute to climate change and waste.

Rather than buying a Christmas jumper buy a jumper for a person who is homeless. Give to charity, can’t afford it? Give your time, help out at a soup kitchen or retirement home.

Just care a little more about the planet and people on it.