![Screen Shot 2017-09-19 at 21.19.16.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmT6VWJizg2CTPnMEWJDHaNzYyrdATDGQmWSWnRLjQzqNb/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-19%20at%2021.19.16.png)

We have been conditioned to believe that presents should be bought from shops & that the amount of money we spend somehow reflects the amount of love we feel for the person we are giving it to.

## It does not work this way in our family.  
As often as possible we ensure that our presents don't cost money and that they don't harm the environment.

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![Home.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNN95ZqNV7kJbZ7gbdU1v11kebx7NExtnFJBHhuaKdcAC/Home.jpg)

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Today was my beautiful partner Sabrina's birthday, and instead of rushing out to the shops to spend money on something, I awoke half an hour early and went for a walk around our riverside jungle community to seek out the best flowers and leaves to put together in a water holder before the rest of the family woke.

Here you can see the collection as I was putting it together in the morning sunlight amongst the abundant colours & bamboo wind chimes of our beautiful Bali garden.
![prep.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfWVW1jBn6hGaZGcxXWRheM6bry1Y3R9YgXQpsQYhYQLG/prep.jpg)

...and here you can see the finished presentation when the kids woke up at 8am.
![final collection.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXibwXH2v6D6yuepkQ3MHaG8XxaoQTYb2M46pwUdtQCfP/final%20collection.jpg)

<center>Finally, this is all of us having lunch together as a family today.</center>
<center>![IMG_8859 (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaKfhCjxXm91d51SYZwtqFFZex4QQNPt2e57hm588nzG9/IMG_8859%20(1).jpg)</center>

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## Back in my London days
As someone who grew up in London I am all too familiar with the shopping mall experience and the ease with which one can purchase a gift wrapped item accompanied by a card with a few generic words within.  All without having to do anything at all... except hand over the cash.

![shopping!.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPBBqcpQgFSbhmQRA2oibiSshJCrhLVxsWW4iAZHCnrr5/shopping!.jpg)

### What is wrong with this you may ask?

From my perspective it seems rather impersonal to give someone a present in this manner.

And what of the manufacturers ethics?  Are you able to look into this whist standing in the shop?  Is there any information on this to see there?

Unlikely.

Why not make that little bit of extra effort to make something for them out of items that were purchased some time ago?

Or pick an awesome bunch of flowers like I did this morning?

![sexy banner.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUJWvpp44Soygx13UTp4bVJCj6njj4zubk7EbdQZL9hAC/sexy%20banner.png)

## The growing PLASTIC CONTINENTS
The bulk of purchaced goods are encased within plastic and the items themselves are likely to contain non biodegradable substances.   Let's not even start to talk about the plastic bags most people carry them home in!  

Some of you may already be aware of the REAL cost of purchasing plastic covered items.  

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![c4f646c14d0362554a3547e61aa431bd23b931701b0adef405c9768e925ff294_large.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVkm2kmrLrSAT11jjcoJK3H4a2nSAt5DybKDmuEmmfdEf/c4f646c14d0362554a3547e61aa431bd23b931701b0adef405c9768e925ff294_large.jpeg)
[Source](https://lockerdome.com/6266736919970113/7226224695200020)

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Here in Indonesia it is all too evident.  There is plastic all over the beaches, depending on the time of year and there are even dumping spots along the rivers inland where people come to throw their rubbish, and with no government assistance to look after rubbish removal, it is hardly a big surprise.

This a GLOBAL problem now with multiple gyres building bigger and bigger in our oceans, floating on the surface like mini continents.  Not likely to go anywhere any time soon.

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## <center>What is the solution?</center>
It is far more simple than you might think.  The best present you can give someone is simply to be 100% present with them, focusing your attention on all that is wonderful about them and giving them the most fun and loving side of you character.

![Screen Shot 2017-09-08 at 13.37.27.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQqHTV68f1gVzQzAjtaDr439Skrum3pncDbShZotureL4/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-08%20at%2013.37.27.jpg)
 
Here is my family and I last week when we took the time to dress up in each other's clothes.  100% present.  100% in the moment.  100% focused on enjoying each other's company.

![Clothes swapping day 2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaqXN6PG5iU1WtaZLZtaXu9saUNjk8LcBsufpkk2DC2mL/Clothes%20swapping%20day%202.jpg)

So, that's me for now.... back to the birthday party before I get told off for writing Steemit posts!

![banner surf blessing.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeaGkR6zVWxYS5ZpvH9mmeYz3GqXBXKAjW2cebkdGur61/banner%20surf%20blessing.jpg)