What is the reason that we feel an obligation to buy brand new toys for our childrens’ Christmas presents? Perhaps we feel an external pressure that if presents are not contained within cellophane wrapping, we are not fulfilling our duty as parents; or maybe it is because we feel the need to conform to the tradition of filling the blue bin by Boxing Day. However the plain truth is that the children most likely won’t be able to tell the difference between a new train set, and one that is in a good condition from another family. It is ‘new’ to them, and surely that is all that matters. 

In support of this notion, Year Five teacher at Settle Primary, Samantha Ambrose, organised a pre-loved toy sale on Sunday the 10th of December, which she hoped would ‘destigmatize buying second-hand toys for Christmas’. This is highly topical at the moment, especially with the increased cost of living and the push to reuse what we have to limit the volume of waste sent to landfill.

Sold at just a fraction of their original prices, the toys at the sale were in excellent condition - some of them still with labels on. Parents were delighted to purchase bikes, books and games that will make low-cost, sustainable and exciting gifts for the festive season. Of course not every item found a new home, however a large proportion of the unsold toys were donated to the local toy bank which runs alongside the food bank at the Holy Ascension Parish Church, Settle. This was the idea of two Settle Primary pupils, Jack and Harry, who were concerned for children who wouldn’t receive toys this Christmas. Thanks to the boys’ kindness, it is hoped that as many people as possible can benefit from the initiative.

Why spend unnecessary cash on toys that children may dismiss and will quite likely be on their way to landfill within a few months anyway? Communities nationwide are coming to the same conclusion and similar events are beginning to pop up all over, with the intention of saving both our wallets and the planet.