I know everyone is getting into the spirit and wants to buy something amazing for their child, parent, significant other and so on. I also know that there are many lists online, showing the hottest gifts for Christmas. Well, let us do something different. I'm going to list the presents that should not be bought! These presents, while I'm sure are a joy for someone, is a pollutant for everyone. I'm trying to find gifts that the majority of people are likely to get and these were what I came up with so far. So to top my list will be a children's toy in great demand.
The Elmo Live toy is amazing. Its mouth opens and closes as it speak. It sits! It stands! It waves its arms and crosses its legs. It can regale you with songs, stories, jokes and games! BUT. . . it requires 6 AA Batteries! Batteries contain mercury which can do severe damage to the environment, people, animals and plants if it is not disposed of properly. And it's so wonderful that when you buy this toy as a temporary gift to a child (they will want something newer very soon) it comes included with 6 toxic AA batteries! This is a buying don't. Of course you could buy batteries that can be recharged. Or, you could simply get another present for them for Christmas. One that one find it's way to the trash heap as quickly as this one probably will. And one that does not come with 6 toxic batteries.
Another popular gift is the blu-ray dvd players, such as Samsung. New things such as these are rendering older products obsolete. So I cite this one as bad only if you already have a dvd player that still works. If that is the case, you do not need this one. Keep the one you have until it dies or at least give it away rather than tossing it into the trash. Most of the electronic waste that makes its way to the trash is still working. People just toss it because it is not new. So again, I mark this gift as a purchase Don't!!
Okay!! I am not trying to pick on Samsung here. There are many brands of dvd players and tvs out there. This is just used as an example. With televsions again as with dvd players, I say do not get them because people throw out there old televisions that still work simply because they have something new, shiny, with really crisp picture! Okay, give me a break. We did not buy a new tv for close to 8 years. Yes we do have a flat screen now, but to be perfectly honest, I see no difference in the picture quality of my old tv and the new one. The new one has a plus because it is easier on my back (big plus!!) and because it does not stretch out the picture to where we cannot see the top of a characters head on the television which is what our old television did before it gave up the ghost (Double plus!!). Now I know the analog televisions have to go and if you're in that situation, I understand. I would recommend the converter, but I've been told by a few people that they have trouble getting there channels with that. Or they somehow end up with channels that they can't enjoy like an Asian channel for someone who only speaks and understands English. But we all know that many people will be getting televisions simply because they want something bigger and supposedly better. So if you're in that category, wait a little while. Technology is developing rapidly and there will always be a new television to ooh and aah over. Just wait and get one when you really need it.
I know that sometimes it's hard to remember to be environmentally friendly, especially if you're not used to it. But it is the holiday season and why don't we simply expand our gift giving to what we can do for the world rather than the individual. A worldwide present! Try and do your part.
Now for the inane, insane!!! I give you my first one! The Big Daddy Driver! Golf Club Weed Wacker! No longer putt and wack separately! Now get in practice on your long drive while chopping the grass!! What inane fun! And this monumental salute to useless products will only cost you $39.99 and it requires 6 AA toxic (Plus!!) Batteries! What inane fun!!!
The Elmo Live toy is amazing. Its mouth opens and closes as it speak. It sits! It stands! It waves its arms and crosses its legs. It can regale you with songs, stories, jokes and games! BUT. . . it requires 6 AA Batteries! Batteries contain mercury which can do severe damage to the environment, people, animals and plants if it is not disposed of properly. And it's so wonderful that when you buy this toy as a temporary gift to a child (they will want something newer very soon) it comes included with 6 toxic AA batteries! This is a buying don't. Of course you could buy batteries that can be recharged. Or, you could simply get another present for them for Christmas. One that one find it's way to the trash heap as quickly as this one probably will. And one that does not come with 6 toxic batteries.
Another popular gift is the blu-ray dvd players, such as Samsung. New things such as these are rendering older products obsolete. So I cite this one as bad only if you already have a dvd player that still works. If that is the case, you do not need this one. Keep the one you have until it dies or at least give it away rather than tossing it into the trash. Most of the electronic waste that makes its way to the trash is still working. People just toss it because it is not new. So again, I mark this gift as a purchase Don't!!
Okay!! I am not trying to pick on Samsung here. There are many brands of dvd players and tvs out there. This is just used as an example. With televsions again as with dvd players, I say do not get them because people throw out there old televisions that still work simply because they have something new, shiny, with really crisp picture! Okay, give me a break. We did not buy a new tv for close to 8 years. Yes we do have a flat screen now, but to be perfectly honest, I see no difference in the picture quality of my old tv and the new one. The new one has a plus because it is easier on my back (big plus!!) and because it does not stretch out the picture to where we cannot see the top of a characters head on the television which is what our old television did before it gave up the ghost (Double plus!!). Now I know the analog televisions have to go and if you're in that situation, I understand. I would recommend the converter, but I've been told by a few people that they have trouble getting there channels with that. Or they somehow end up with channels that they can't enjoy like an Asian channel for someone who only speaks and understands English. But we all know that many people will be getting televisions simply because they want something bigger and supposedly better. So if you're in that category, wait a little while. Technology is developing rapidly and there will always be a new television to ooh and aah over. Just wait and get one when you really need it.
I know that sometimes it's hard to remember to be environmentally friendly, especially if you're not used to it. But it is the holiday season and why don't we simply expand our gift giving to what we can do for the world rather than the individual. A worldwide present! Try and do your part.
Now for the inane, insane!!! I give you my first one! The Big Daddy Driver! Golf Club Weed Wacker! No longer putt and wack separately! Now get in practice on your long drive while chopping the grass!! What inane fun! And this monumental salute to useless products will only cost you $39.99 and it requires 6 AA toxic (Plus!!) Batteries! What inane fun!!!
If you thought that was all, there is more inanity to be had. Ladies and Gentlemen I bring you the Tennis Racquet Bug Zapper!!! Want to have fun killing bugs? Of course you do!! Who needs a fly swatter when you can have this. This racquet contains bug zapping technology. Practice your backhand while killing pesky flies! At only $11.99 and 2 environmentally hazardous AA batteries, you'll feel the insect kingdom is your playground. Is this inane insane or what!!!
Have you had enough insanity? Of course not, I bring you another useless item to ring in Christmas with. I bring you the item that will make you envy of all your camping buddies. I bring you the SpinMallow!!! Now, watch your friends turn green with envy as you expertly spin your marshallow over the campfire flames. And while they are being burned by the flames due to sad inaccurate hand placement, you will be safe!! All you need is 2 AA batteries to crank these suckers up to 92 RPM's!! Wow, you can pollute the environment and make the perfect toasted marshmallow at the same time!! Unbelievable!!
I just couldn't help myself!! I have always been a pretty lazy individuals, but this is for the superior lazy person. This takes degrees of laziness to a whole new level. Are you tired of having to rotate your ice cream cone! It's such hard work after all. All that maneuvering with your wrist must tire out someone who does nothing all day already. As far as useless, insane, inane gifts goes, this may be the winner. It keeps ice cream from dripping and rotates the cone for you. The biggest fun for me with ice cream was catching the melting drops, but maybe others don't like it! All you need to get this sucker spinning is 2 AA batteries and your lazy @$$ is on your way to no worries and no movement. Though, you will have to move your mouth and tongue to enjoy the ice cream, at least until they come out with a stupid product that does it for you.
Moving on to another very wasteful gift or gift attachment that we see not only during Christmas but birthdays and other special occasions is gift bags made of paper. Why do people feel the need to waste paper by giving their gift in a gift bag that will likely be thrown out. It makes no sense, it's as though the packaging (presentation that harms the environment) is beginning to matter more that the gift itself. In my opinion even using a recyled gift bag makes no sense because you don't need a gift bag with wonderful tissue paper and how can you be sure that your friend will remember to recycle the bag when they throw it out. What do you say, "The gift's inside but I need the tissue paper and bag back to make sure that it's recycled."
Another wasteful product for the environment is perfume gifts sets which usually consists of paper and plastic being wasted for, again the packaging. Why do we need that. Okay, sure when I had a gift set I left the perfume and stuff in the package, but you can just as easily leave it on your dresser, in you bathroom cabinet, etc. Why waste the valuable resources to make it prettier. Also, with all of our technological advances why do we still have price tags made from paper on certain products. Also, why are there the "To: From:" gift tags that are made of paper. Isn't there another way to do this. And plastic! It takes forever to breakdown.
3 comments:
Carmen, you have a point with the whole E-Trash epidemic, but...I frickin love the Samsung blu-ray player, and with the new 1080 P Samsung tv? OMG! Its a visual orgasm!! Then again I'm an electronics fiend. But I agree with you on the deadly AA batteries. Rechargeable batteries should so replace the usual AA/AAA and so on.
I am totally with the waste of paper for gifting. And you forgot the HUGE, expensive Xmas cards that only have a "Happy Holidays!" and a signature inside. A perfect example of how we only have value if we contribute to the golden shopping arrow that Annie speaks of. Why not write a short, meaningful letter instead and forego the glitzy card?
You've caught me red handed...I give perfume sets and like them. I actually never thought how they were made out of plastic. There are some made out of glass =)
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