Books & Music...

As my daughter ripped open presents for her second birthday, I pondered (as I always do at occasions like this) the destination of these toys that would one day turn into “junk.” My wife and I have chosen to “recycle” gifts by putting up some gifts now and pulling them out at a later time. Who knows how long our game will last, but it sure keeps us from feeling the pressure to buy more toys for a toddler whose attention span is shorter than your average commercial.

While I normally share ideas about things you can do, I wanted to take today’s space to inspire you to make something for your kids or a friend out of something you probably will consider “junk.”

Laura C. Martin’s book, Recycled Crafts Box, does a great job of giving you practical tips on how to turn your junk into a meaningful gift. Here are some inspiring words of hers to start her book:

“It’d be great if all the garbage disintegrated the way compost does, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t. By the late 1800s, as many new inventions came on the market, American garbage began to change.

“In 1895, for example, a traveling salesman named King C. Gillette invented a razor that used disposable blades. This was a hugely popular item because, before then, a razor blade had to be re-sharpened every time a man shaved. Then, in 1907, the first paper towels were accidentally invented when a factory machine turned out a roll of extra-thick toilet paper. They, too, were an instant hit because it was so easy to throw them away once you used them (unlike cloth towels that had to be washed when they got dirty).

“Disposable products like these sure made life convenient, but they also tend to create a lot more trash than the items they replaced. Today, we’re buying and throwing away at an amazing rate. The result is mountains of garbage filled with many items that are far from worn out but discarded simply because we want something new.”