Sustainable easter
The older I get (I am not old at all, just getting older everyday lol) the quicker the years seem to fly by!
I feel like Easter was only yesterday, in fact whilst cleaning out the fridge recently, in my daughters “lolly” stash drawer, I found some easter eggs from last year!
It made me wonder when this all changed, for me when I was growing up, the Easter Bunny would bring us each one egg! It was an amazing year if we got a ‘bunny’ egg instead of the traditional egg shaped egg. Nowadays the Easter Bunny brings, multiple eggs, pj’s toys, books and more! When did this happen?!? And to top it off, there seems to be an expectation to give easter presents to our friends and family as well.
Don’t get me wrong, whilst I love seeing my child spoilt as much as the next person, do we really need all this extra stuff in our lives? Especially if I am finding uneaten easter eggs 11months after the fact?
“But how can we change?” I hear you asking me….
Well lets start with the easiest change first!
Reduce Waste.
Recycle your Easter egg foil!
Did you know that aluminium foil is 100% recyclable?
Check out this video by Cleanaway to let you know how to recycle your egg wrappers this year.
Ask For Experiences
I understand sometimes it can be difficult when Nan insists on wanting to spoil her grandkids, or Great Aunt Polly who never had children of her own to spoil.
Instead of saying no, lets change the narrative. Easter falls just before the term 1 school holidays!
Maybe the Easter Bunny is visiting your community and Nan could take the children to have photos.
Keep an eye out for holiday activities coming up in your area! This can not only save you time and space in your home, but may also be a day you don’t need to organise care for your child whilst you need to work.
Now hear me out, I understand that Nan or Great Aunt Polly are going to spoil the children whilst they are out and are probably going to go for donuts and milkshakes before they come home, but think of the core memories that are being created. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of spending time with my Grandma, going to the movies, roller-skating, Science works museum, she even braved taking me on a plane from Melbourne to Sydney when I was 7 for a week!
Reduce your food waste
Easter in Australia usually involves big family feasts akin to Christmas Lunch where we over indulge in food and beverages.
Making a plan ahead of time to reduce you food waste is an integral step in reducing your food waste this easter.
Cater for the group size, I know many in my generation and beyond were taught to over cater “just in case”, and I’m not going to lie, this has been one of the hardest lessons for me to unlearn. If we are being honest with ourselves, there are lots of ways to stretch a meal if we do end up with unexpected add on guests. Adding a quick pasta salad to the table (takes only 15mins!) or getting some extra bread and butter out. Maybe a quick bowl of cous cous. Sides are your friend and can be made from dry store ingredients that will not perish in the pantry.
Be sure to use all of your leftovers! Left over roast Lamb makes an amazing sheppards pie!
Easter Crafting
I come from a long line of artists and crafters. I had free reign growing up to endless art supplies, but we were alwasy encouraged to reuse items.
This easter, instead of purchasing the brighty coloured packs from the shops, have a look at your recycling stash.
I have gathered some nifty upcycled crafting ideas here, that not only wont break the bank, but will help reduce your carbon footprint.
