cool offers

Just a little note for anyone who's starting their christmas shopping early - here's some lovely offers from companies we like, including money off organic wine and free handmade soaps:

• 20% off organic clothing at Tattybumpkin - code: GPWIN

• 20% off natural petfood at Denes - code: TGP002

• 15% off toys and games at Ecotopia - code: GPTOY15

• 15% off Soft Star Shoes - code: Greenparent

• 15% off healthcare and natural beauty products at 100% Nature - code: GP12

• 10% off organic clothing at Dam Tam - code: GP1008

• 5kg of fairtrade dates in time for Christmas - £33

• 10% off all natural beauty products at Purely Bliss - code: GP08

• 10% off organic clothing and ethical gifts at Love Cow - code: GREEN

• 10% off vegan skincare at Innocent Oils - code: GP11

• Free Box in the Boot with every shopping trolley ordered at Trollease

• Free subscription to The Green Parent magazine when you sign up to Ecotricity

• 10% off beautiful toys and playthings at Laughing Bear - code: GXM10

• 10% off organic wines at Vinceremos - code: GP

• 10% off Clothes, toys and nappies at Makes a Change - code: Greenparent

• 10% off soft baby slings at Bambino to Go - code: Green Parent

• Free handmade soaps and p&p at Centre for Alternative Technology - code: GP08X

• Free nappy sample at Spirit of Nature

• 5% off ethical gifts and homewares at Fig 1 - code: m/gparents

Hope this helps.

buy nothing month: day twenty four

Wowzer, can't believe that we only have a week to go. We are now thinking about how to roll this out into our lives beyond Buy Nothing Month. It's surprisingly liberating. And whilst the kids have a yearning to take some hard cash into our local town to splash out, when we asked what they wanted to buy they explained that they wanted to get each other a Christmas present at the bookshop. Bless!

They have gone to their beloved aunt and uncle's house for a sleepover and are looking forward to butter with their bread and a chance to go to the shops (not to buy but just to look), as well as lots of love and silly games as well I'm sure.

A friend is organising a bring and buy sale in the village in aid of Blue Peter's Mission Nutrition and I felt a bit churlish when I remembered that we wouldn't be able to purchase anything. Surely this is the sort of consumerism that we should support regardless. Jury's out on this. Sale is this afternoon so I'll keep you posted what decision I come to.

Food around here is getting decidedly weird - cabbage soup anyone? But essentially apart from an ear infection, chest infection and a few sniffles we are all fairly fit and healthy! For medicine we have relied completely on the kitchen cupboard and a bottle of amazing tonic from the marvellous Nancy Makin of Barefoot Herbs, who is really our family doctor. 

In the office we have run out of recycled paper envelopes and tape so have been more careful than usual about opening envelopes to ensure that they can be re-used and using old stickers to seal mail. 

I have not experienced the spiritual effects that I thought that a buy nothing month might bring. I expected small moments of epiphany. I expected to discover greater clarity and and a sense of lightness. Perhaps I have experienced this but on a smaller scale than I envisaged. Perhaps I need to step away from the computer and my day-to-day life to realise that on a grand scale? 

Anyway, although we did this for political and environmental reasons, I expect that the economical effects won't have hurt either. And now, I'm off to make a few felt toys for the advent calendar, which will be hung expectantly in just six days time!