Sustainable Christmas Day 1 - Everlasting Advent Calendars

Vlogmas with a twist - looking at some sustainable ways to use sewing over the festive season. Looking at some alternatives to the plastic filled advent calendars & the problem with returning gifts to Amazon.
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[@patgottshalk8808]

I love the idea of a reverse advent calendar. Kid’s could pare down their toys, food banks could be stocked and good deeds shared. Sam, this is brilliant. #reverse advent2023

[@Frugalisama]

Glad that you like it 🤗

[@Tess-FrugalLiving]

I'm so glad you're speaking about this Sam. Small businesses who sell on Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) are given the option of paying to have their stock posted back to them or having it destroyed. Mostly, paying to have it returned to them by Amazon would see them losing a lot of money so they have no option but to agree to have it destroyed. It's awful for the planet and people. Truly vile business practice by Amazon. I've just shared this video on my community page on my channel. Xxx

[@Frugalisama]

Yes I agree & I'm not sure how they are getting away with it the more I think about, absolutely appalling! Thanks so much for sharing this with your community, that's very kind of you Tess 🤗

[@Moll0510]

👏🏻 Brilliant concept for vlogmas! Love it! 👏🏻

[@Frugalisama]

Thank you, glad that you like it 🤗

[@amdelorey]

Last year I sewed 24 stars of various sizes out of recycled wrapping paper and stuffed things in then sewed around them. Then hung everything from sewn on ribbons from a stick/rod. It was very fun and I used up lots of leftovers of wrapping paper and ribbons. Thanks for info about Amazon. The more we know, the more we can make informed choices.

[@Frugalisama]

Ooh that's a fab idea 👍 yes you're right about making informed decisions 🤗

[@lisahalmshaw1275]

Such a refreshing approach to Vlogmass Sam and I’m totally here for it! Jeff Bezos ought to be in jail x

[@Frugalisama]

So glad you enjoyed it, maybe we start a campaign!

[@lisahalmshaw1275]

@@Frugalisama Deffo!

[@mairead5891]

Thank you Sam - I'm looking forward to watching you through the month! Amazon is my last resort for purchasing too, they treat their suppliers and staff abominably too which is another reason to avoid them.

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you enjoyed it, it seems they are getting away with an awful lot & not been taken to task about it 😠

[@seasidestitches615]

Absolutely. Completely agree! Thanks for sharing.

[@susankain3629]

Hi Sam, I love that you said landfill as well, because quite often the language matters and putting it in the bin does not create the same "mind picture" that landfill does. Great that you are highlighting this, bad that it happens, definitely on the same page as you shop local and small business when I am able. Sue

[@Frugalisama]

I agree Sue yes landfill seems worse than just putting things in the bin but ultimately it's the same ending for 'stuff'!

[@theyorkshiresewgirl]

Those statistics made me so sad 😞. I just can’t believe in this day and age that this can happen 😕

[@Frugalisama]

I know, why it can't be just be given to charity or resold is beyond me!

[@seasidestitches615]

Love your very important and relevant Vlogmas video. Thanks for highlighting the disgrace of the Amazon model. I’m a supporter of #boycottAmazon for very many other reasons than you’ve mentioned. The positivity of the Reverse Advent Calendar is awesome! Am going to look into that! Kindness as a gift - now that does need promoting. Much love Sam, Susan x

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Susan - yep we could all so with a bit more kindness couldn't wee - something that never runs out 👍

[@sewagnes6706]

Lovely idea for Vlogmas Sam. I look forward to seeing you through December. That's shocking about Amazon, I never knew that 🎄🧑‍🎄

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks so much Agnes, glad you enjoyed it 🤗

[@charlottemcgregor1011]

Some great ideas thankyou ….and your sewing studio is looking lovely

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Charlotte, yet it's coming together now, I need to film another tour when I get a minute 🤗

[@littlezine8322]

Love the idea of the reverse advent!

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you liked it & it's never too late to start & can be done anytime too whatever the season 👍

[@jangreen3697]

Great idea for Vlogmas Sam! You will give us a lot to think about.

[@Frugalisama]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🤗

[@helganeufeld230]

Yes to all of this! I have not used wrapping paper in 20 years. I would purchase a Rubbermaid bin to put each child’s gift into. I stand storage for them. We had a homemade wooden advent calendar when my kids were little, then my sister felt sorry for my shoddy workmanship. She crocheted wee stockings for me to hang and fill with treats. Now the grandkids enjoy them.

[@Frugalisama]

Real heirloom pieces, lovely that the grandkids enjoy them now 🤗

[@lynneprentice4278]

Very thought provoking start to Vlogmas, Sam! I found the Amazon stats horrifying! I do know that you can buy mystery boxes from them for say £130. But it’s totally pot luck and the ones I’ve seen had multiple toasters and kettles, some of which didn’t work, so I guess they just got binned! 😡 Picking up on your theme, I’m doing a reverse calendar for The Greyhound Trust and building up a hamper to give them of things that they and the hounds need! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Frugalisama]

I can't imagine spending £130 on something that I didn't know what I was getting, doesn't make sense to me, like you say if things don't work, they'll just get binned, probably into household waste, where they're not supposed to be - shocking 😳 Lovely idea for the hamper t=for the Greyhound trust 👍

[@jennetthamilton7942]

Years ago I made a fabric advent calender for my kids, we then passed it onto my younger nephews and I'm hoping my sister is now using it for her granddaughters. I'm hoping to make reusable Christmas crackers this year but it might end up for next year. Also for the last few years I've made homemade soup, bread, muffins, cookies, etc, to give to family and friends. And for some of the gifts I'm making I'm either using fabric from my stash or buying fabric from thrifted stores. I watched a consumer tv program about Amazon and it was a real eye opener. It is a last resort shopping place for me, I try to buy locally as much as possible. I look forward to seeing what else you have to show us for vlogmas.

[@Frugalisama]

I love that your advent calendar is getting used across the generations Jennett - glad that you're enjoying the Vlogmas series, thanks for your support, as always 🤗

[@InAgatasCottage]

I made advent calendar using panel this year and I do crafty activities for Alice in it. She opened her 1st activity today. We will have short weekly videos with what she had and what she made. I avoid buying on Amazon if I can. I never send anything back - cost of return from Ireland usually is higher then what I pay for item.

[@Frugalisama]

Look forward to seeing your Alice doing her activities Agata, she's a very lucky little girl 🤗

[@annettecowburn1096]

I've done the charity advent one for the food bank in previous years that's a really good one.

[@Frugalisama]

Great idea Annette 👍

[@karenbensdon4643]

Love the approach you are taking to Vlogmas. Learned so much already.

[@Frugalisama]

Aw thanks so much Karen, glad that you enjoyed it 🤗

[@sewciology22]

Such a great idea to do the vlogmas on sustainability. Very shocking to hear about Amazon. Just starting on your vlogmas series. ❤

[@rachellynncreates2703]

My daughter is using my husbands old advent calendar. It’s a cardboard reusable one.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that's fabulous, it must have been a sturdy one 🤗

[@flatbatterymakes2495]

I've used the mantra "Anywhere but Amazon" when it comes to shopping for a few years now, I cannot get my head around what you've shared today. To send returned goods to landfill is an absolute disgrace! I dislike them even more than I did 5 minutes ago! Fab 1st vlogmas Sam, looking forward to tomorrow...

[@Frugalisama]

Love that mantra Jo - yes the stats are shocking aren't they 🤗

[@jennifermaddock4382]

I have a felt advent calendar I made in the early 80's and I'm still using it. I also have the wooden one you mentioned and I still fill it with 2 candies per drawer for my adult children who love it.

[@Frugalisama]

Your felt one sounds like a good idea, I love thta your adult children are still using theirs too 👍

[@pipskilou]

Morning Sam, great to see you on Vlogmas🎄 Those Amazon stats are just shocking. How can that be happening when there’s so much poverty in the world? Not to speak of the damage to the planet by shoving it all in landfill 🌎 Great Advent ideas 😁

[@Frugalisama]

I know Pippa, it's unbelievable 😳

[@margaretmillar7866]

Wow I didn’t know this was the Amazon business model - why they don’t donate to charity is beyond me. I’ll think before I buy from them again.

[@Frugalisama]

I know it really is shocking isn't it 😳

[@sarahmiddle5028]

I had no idea Amazon discarded returns but I already try to avoid them due to their treatment of workers and market dominance so thank you for that information. And this year two friends and I have put together advent calendars for each other in the style of the independent sewing shops - all in paper bags and things from our stashes, things we've made and vintage/thrifted items included.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that'd such a lovely idea Sarah - love it 🤗

[@noemir8262]

Quite an eye opener. I really hope the HP Chromebook that I recently returned isn't in a landfill. I didn't even turn it on.

[@Frugalisama]

Let's hope not - it seems like a very strange business model to me 😳

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

It's a shame that those Amazon items aren't redirected to a charity somehow. Like to a discount store where the (reduced) price of the goods covers the cost of the shop reselling them. Or even sold to a recycling business that will disassemble, sort, and reclaim materials.

[@janellelenhardt9337]

❤ thanks Sam great vlog, I like the reverse advent calendar idea & will do that. 🙏

[@Frugalisama]

Aw glad I've inspired you 🤗

[@VariationsOnASeam]

I like that idea of filling an advent calendar with ideas. I think next year I'll make one for my sister with daily self-care "assignments." I've always had a reusable advent calendar for my kids and I fill it's drawers with vegan chocolates.

[@Frugalisama]

So glad that I've inspire you, your sister will love it & remember it too🤗

[@seasidestitches615]

Oh. I love this idea!

[@kristymcmillan7481]

Thank you for this - seeing how much ‘stuff’ people are consuming, even in these difficult times, is making me feel a bit queasy. I was brought up frugally but Christmas was still memorable. Lots of home-made presents (the best one was when I helped my mum make hampers for the rest of the family, filled with home-made jams, chutneys, lemon curd and things like that). I’m looking forward to your next vlog!

[@Frugalisama]

Ooh those hampers sound lovely, so much thought & love going into each one - lovely idea 🤗

[@kristymcmillan7481]

They were so much fun, and our relations loved them!

[@elainewraight8138]

Hi Sam I sewed a panel last year so we have nothing more interesting than chocies but they do go down well. Great ideas for alternatives - love the little acts of kindness. Yes amazon feeds our need for convenience but their returns solutions are shocking! Certainly puts a different slant on using them going forward. Merry Xmas x

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks for watching Elaine, we can all fit more kindness in our lives can't we 🤗

[@Sew4serenity]

Great vlog, thanks Sam - I just finished my panel advent this evening 😮 - a day late but at least it’s done. Thank you for sharing x

[@Frugalisama]

Funnily enough I've just watched yours too 🤣 Glad you got it finished 👍

[@SewSewLive]

Happy December Sam! Think I’ll try vlogmas this year too. Your alphabet idea is clever!

[@Frugalisama]

Yay, look forward to seeing what you do Saremy - hoping I don't run out of steam half way through 🤣

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Thank you so much. I like you loved my little cardboard advent calendar with the pics in and I have had one for the last two years like that. I made all of my grandchildren fabric ones that I put chocs in. I also use wrapping paper that can be recycled, not glossy. 💕

[@janevellenderartist]

A great blog. I have a 3D cardboard advent calendar, currently on my third year of using. Each day I add the numbered animal or item to build the scene, I love it, sustain able and no waste. The trend for expensive calendars and having several of them at once really seems to have taken off.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that sounds lovely 👍

[@sarahbeech1354]

I really love the idea of putting activities into a children's advent calendar. I'm definitely going to do that next year x

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you enjoyed it Sarah, thanks for watching 🤗

[@donnacieslik213]

Hello Sam, thank you for sharing your ideas on 1st day of vlogmas. I have a traditional advent calendar made of cardboard ! I much prefer it to the chocolate ones. Happy sewing take care 🧵🎄

[@Frugalisama]

Oh good to hear, often the chocolate isn't the best quality I'd rather have dark chocolate any day! Thanks for watching 🤗

[@sandrarj6429]

I'm shocked that so much is going into landfill. I'm never using them again!

[@Frugalisama]

I know it's truly appalling isn't it 😳

[@peterleprevost2154]

Before I make any purchase I ask myself where was it made and how will I dispose of it when it is worn out or no longer suits our needs... New subscriber sent by Tess. Susan

[@Frugalisama]

That's a great question to ask, we just need that pause sometimes. Thanks for stopping by & watching 🤗

[@maureencullen1008]

Amazon should be ashamed.Why can't they donate the items? I made a felt hanging advent with small felt pockets with the day numbers sewn on the front. I drew a picture of the Nativity ,in stages and put a picture in each pocket plus a small chocolate.Each day we chatted about the pictures and related it to why we give presents etc. It sounds a bit schoolish but it wasn't the children loved it and continued the chats between themselves.It was really magical.

[@Frugalisama]

Aw that sounds so lovely Maureen 🤗

[@celestedouville2529]

I've always boycotted Amazon. Most of the local businesses will deliver of bring items to your car - of course not everyone has a car but most people who buy from Amazon are just over consumers.

[@Frugalisama]

Yes for some it's the only option but it's also the easiest & fastest. Great to just pause to see if there's an alternative 1st I think. Thanks for watching 🤗