Comments on: Buying into the Materialist Lifestyle http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html Loving simple, natural, and intentional living Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:10:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Casey M http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html/comment-page-1#comment-66400 Casey M Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:09:39 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=60#comment-66400 We're moving towards a more home-made, simple lifestyle, although initially more for financial reasons (as we've had alternating job losses during this recession), it's become pretty cathartic to realize that you can do more with less and still be perfectly happy. Seems almost as soon as you make peace with not being able to "Keep Up With the Jones'" an enormous pressure is relieved. As far as toys are concerned (both for kids and adults!) the latest & greatest New Big Thing may have it's initial gut-appeal, but ignoring that initial visceral reaction, both me and my 3 year old get more enjoyment from diversions that require creativity and "doing" something than conventional 'toys' of various kinds. Avi has received numerous toys from relatives, most of which ended up trampled on, broken, or ignored. It's frustrating when the family struggles to make ends meet and the extended family throws hundreds of dollars away on superfluous toys that won't last or won't entertain by the end of the week. I think it's fair to request for more practical gifts. Avi has more fun with handfuls of homemade play-dough and a shoebox of old cookie cutters than she ever had with $100 worth of Zhu Zhu pets and assorted accessories. The internet (LOVE Pinterest for this) is a great place to network for simple, frugal, DIY & homemade children's "toys" and (better) great mind-stimulating activities. Just like how cats would rather play with string than giant electronic mice, ultimately I think kids like to get their hands moving--gluing, cutting, painting...creating. If not, then it has probably been because of lack of opportunity and now habit (especially with electronics) than organic preference. We’re moving towards a more home-made, simple lifestyle, although initially more for financial reasons (as we’ve had alternating job losses during this recession), it’s become pretty cathartic to realize that you can do more with less and still be perfectly happy. Seems almost as soon as you make peace with not being able to “Keep Up With the Jones’” an enormous pressure is relieved.

As far as toys are concerned (both for kids and adults!) the latest & greatest New Big Thing may have it’s initial gut-appeal, but ignoring that initial visceral reaction, both me and my 3 year old get more enjoyment from diversions that require creativity and “doing” something than conventional ‘toys’ of various kinds. Avi has received numerous toys from relatives, most of which ended up trampled on, broken, or ignored. It’s frustrating when the family struggles to make ends meet and the extended family throws hundreds of dollars away on superfluous toys that won’t last or won’t entertain by the end of the week. I think it’s fair to request for more practical gifts. Avi has more fun with handfuls of homemade play-dough and a shoebox of old cookie cutters than she ever had with $100 worth of Zhu Zhu pets and assorted accessories.

The internet (LOVE Pinterest for this) is a great place to network for simple, frugal, DIY & homemade children’s “toys” and (better) great mind-stimulating activities. Just like how cats would rather play with string than giant electronic mice, ultimately I think kids like to get their hands moving–gluing, cutting, painting…creating. If not, then it has probably been because of lack of opportunity and now habit (especially with electronics) than organic preference.

]]> By: Niina http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html/comment-page-1#comment-2514 Niina Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:21:16 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=60#comment-2514 I was just going back through some of your simply living posts. They are great. We have had a terrible time with birthdays (we have a 2.5 yr old and a 6 mon old). Our oldest just ends up with so much stuff (We have a very large extended family). Last year on the birthday invitation I requested that there be no gift. However, several people still brought gifts. We allowed Hadassah to open them but when she was playing with friends I took most of the gifts and put them away in the closet. She didn't even notice. Now, once a month or so we go through all the toys and she donates a few and then I bring out one of the gifts that she got for her birthday. She is so excited to help other kids by donating and it is also fun to get something new. I have never purchased a single toy, books and a stuffed animal or two, but never a toy and still we seem to have an over load. Thanks for the good info. Niina I was just going back through some of your simply living posts. They are great. We have had a terrible time with birthdays (we have a 2.5 yr old and a 6 mon old). Our oldest just ends up with so much stuff (We have a very large extended family). Last year on the birthday invitation I requested that there be no gift. However, several people still brought gifts. We allowed Hadassah to open them but when she was playing with friends I took most of the gifts and put them away in the closet. She didn’t even notice. Now, once a month or so we go through all the toys and she donates a few and then I bring out one of the gifts that she got for her birthday. She is so excited to help other kids by donating and it is also fun to get something new. I have never purchased a single toy, books and a stuffed animal or two, but never a toy and still we seem to have an over load. Thanks for the good info. Niina

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html/comment-page-1#comment-98 Stephanie Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:21:00 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=60#comment-98 We are struggling with this right now! We have barely bought our daughter a single toy since she's been born, but unfortunately, we have been bombarded with them, as gifts from others!<br/><br/>One thing we have recently done that has helped is to take more than half of her toys and put them in bins in the garage. This way there is less mess, and we can rotate the toys so that we can bring out new toys that are fresh to her. <br/><br/>Also, we try very hard to encourage those who buy toys for her to keep them creative toys. We don't mind having lots of blocks, lego, dress up clothes, etc. because these are toys that still require the imagination and creativity of the child. <br/><br/>However, I still feel like we can do more. We have come to really, really dislike how many toys our daughter receives at birthday and Christmas, and want so much for her to not view it as being all about her. I think that we still need to be tougher about the toys we keep and get rid of, and about asking people to give her less. Gosh, I feel like that sounds horrible, but we just feel that the condition of her soul (and as you mentioned, being content and fulfilled in Jesus first!) is more important. <br/><br/>Ahh, I'm writing a novel. This is my third comment, so I must be in a thoughtful, talkative mood! Thanks for the great posts! <br/><br/>Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home We are struggling with this right now! We have barely bought our daughter a single toy since she’s been born, but unfortunately, we have been bombarded with them, as gifts from others!

One thing we have recently done that has helped is to take more than half of her toys and put them in bins in the garage. This way there is less mess, and we can rotate the toys so that we can bring out new toys that are fresh to her.

Also, we try very hard to encourage those who buy toys for her to keep them creative toys. We don’t mind having lots of blocks, lego, dress up clothes, etc. because these are toys that still require the imagination and creativity of the child.

However, I still feel like we can do more. We have come to really, really dislike how many toys our daughter receives at birthday and Christmas, and want so much for her to not view it as being all about her. I think that we still need to be tougher about the toys we keep and get rid of, and about asking people to give her less. Gosh, I feel like that sounds horrible, but we just feel that the condition of her soul (and as you mentioned, being content and fulfilled in Jesus first!) is more important.

Ahh, I’m writing a novel. This is my third comment, so I must be in a thoughtful, talkative mood! Thanks for the great posts!

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home

]]> By: Lylah http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html/comment-page-1#comment-91 Lylah Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:28:00 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=60#comment-91 hi beautiful lindsay...great post. everytime i look at your pic with your little princess..i just can't help but smile...<br/><br/>you're a good mom and writer! keep it up! blessings...lylah hi beautiful lindsay…great post. everytime i look at your pic with your little princess..i just can’t help but smile…

you’re a good mom and writer! keep it up! blessings…lylah

]]> By: Julie http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/buying-into-the-materialist-lifestyle.html/comment-page-1#comment-89 Julie Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:24:00 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=60#comment-89 Good post! We recently did #3. It was fun to go through my oldest daughters toys and things with her and decide what to give to kids who do not have any toys. I am hoping I can help God to cultivate a giving heart in her ,and me too! Good post! We recently did #3. It was fun to go through my oldest daughters toys and things with her and decide what to give to kids who do not have any toys. I am hoping I can help God to cultivate a giving heart in her ,and me too!

]]>