WE ALL cherish precious family memories of Christmas mornings joyous with children’s excitement, carefully wrapped presents ripped opened, squeals of joy and warm hugs of thanks.
We reflect wryly that, often when the immediate present opening is over, it is not unusual to witness the kids distracted with adventures played out with the empty boxes; new toys discarded in the corner of the room.
I remember the hilarity in our house on Christmas morning in Cockenzie when my brothers, Kevin, Paul, and John Mark, all under 10 years of age, after an unusually long absence, appeared as Frankenstein and the Incredible Hulk dressed in nothing other than cardboard boxes, toilet paper tubes, red lipstick and black mascara.
Their expensive train set, Lego and Fisher-Price garage lay discarded where they had been opened.
Those toys have long since been sent to the tip as, I suspect, will many of this year’s toys in the future.
During the COP26 climate change conference, very engaged young people were campaigning with great effect to insist governments urgently stop the causes of climate change.
They stood with posters and placards frantically shouting for change.
They mean it, it is their future after all.
The last thing they want are toys which have been transported halfway across the world and made of non-degradable plastic.
Fortunately, we have plenty of alternatives on our doorsteps.
This year, the Christmas cabins in Haddington are being set up again selling local arts and crafts, gifts for all ages and tastes.
Cockenzie House is setting up its superb Christmas Fair this weekend, December 4, as are Stenton and Innerwick communities.
Our local high streets are brimming with wonderful independent gift shops fully stocked with locally made treats.
We are spoiled for choice. And, if you still can’t find what you are looking for, an East Lothian Gift Card loaded with lots of money will always be well received.
So this Christmas, before you shop, reflect on that toy ‘elephant in the room’: it may be made of plastic.
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