tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395958921710608796.post4368397013294141981..comments2023-10-11T02:42:43.337-07:00Comments on 10 Cups of Chai: Our Attempt at Zero-Waste Living: A 2017 Personal ChallengeKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04806724628005897725noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395958921710608796.post-82638953508565294022017-01-25T10:40:08.392-08:002017-01-25T10:40:08.392-08:00Hi Katie! That is so encouraging that you're p...Hi Katie! That is so encouraging that you're pursuing a zero waste lifestyle, too! When I began, I initially thought it would only be for January, to see if it was possible, but I've caught the bug. I'm loving it.<br /><br />Our 'Buy-Nothing' spree was incredible -- probably one of the best decisions that we've ever made. Now that we completed the spree, it has left us questioning every single thing that we intend to purchase. If it doesn't have a purpose, if it will create waste or clutter, if we can borrow if from family or friends, then we don't get it. Amazing! Money stays in the bank! <br /><br />Our birthdays weren't too difficult - instead of gifts for one another, we made our favorite meals at home and went on a hike that weekend. Christmas was a challenge, however. We didn't have time to opt out of a gift exchange (we were encouraged to spend $30 each), and I ended up purchasing bath/spa products, and then returning it all before I wrapped it. Instead of gifting what I was going against, I ended up gathering things from home that had not been opened (bath salts, coffee from a recent trip to Norway, etc.), and paired them with a couple of scarves that I loved but knew that this person might like better. Here are the other gifts that we did:<br />- Homemade granola and roasted pepitas in mason jars.<br />- Gifted Experiences: Hikes, road trips, and two hours at a giant bounce-house for the younger ones.<br />- Hand-written letters. <br />- For parents and in-laws, we donated to Compassion International for sports equipment for children in developing countries (in the name of our baseball-enthused brother), literacy classes for mothers (our sister who is a teacher), bibles (father-in-law is a pastor), and a water filtration system (mother-in-law does a fundraiser every year for Charity Water). Although we were spending money, we felt better that it wasn't something that we could consume, but help someone else who needed it. Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04806724628005897725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395958921710608796.post-7186052891359301192017-01-12T13:55:08.283-08:002017-01-12T13:55:08.283-08:00This is great! A zero waste lifestyle is a journey...This is great! A zero waste lifestyle is a journey that I am pursuing! I hope that this experiment goes well for you! <br /><br />I loved reading about your "buy-nothing" during the most consumeristic time of the year!! I would love to hear what you did for "buy-nothing" gifts for Christmas and Birthday! Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12240668169066213951noreply@blogger.com