My daughter just had her birthday and we made an effort to green it up as much as possible... here are some of the things I did...
1. Asked a friend to pass on her Princess Decorations after her party - so at least they are used more than once. Now that our party is over, I will offer them up on Freecycle and then at least 3parties got to enjoy the princess decorations.
2. Goodie bags made from recycled paper and reuse ribbon.
3. In the goodie bags - I gave the girls a glass beaded bracelet...one they could wear into adulthood - one that shouldn't break anytime soon.
4. I requested no gifts on the invitation... and while virtually everyone ignored my request, She got hand sewn clothes, and beautiful hand crafted picture wall hangings, and while my friends gave me a hard time for writing that on the invite, they were definitely greener in their gift choices. (keep your gift bags and tissue and use them again.)
5. I emailed the invitation... and I have to admit this didn't work perfectly - so I would encourage you to use Evite or send it as an attachment - not embedded in the email.
Other things you can do? Use real plates,forks and cups, or at least use ones that compost easily. (Chinet works for the plates, there are also choices for the other stuff here... .)
Serve water from a pitcher - not bottles of water. We had a jug of juice - not juice boxes. Forget about getting balloons - or at least just get a few, and give them out to the kids as they leave.
I was really surprised at the lack of eco friendly choices at the party store - there really wasn't a green option there... so save yourself the trip.
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3 comments:
I agree - party favors are such a waste of resources. I'm such a hoarder of ribbons, tissue paper, and gift bags. I'm eco-friendly!!! My DH is not so thrilled about my evergrowing stash.
I tell him I save him money and love the Earth.
We also have had "green" birthdays for our children. You are right, it is hard to find earth friendly products. We used Chinet plates (like you) and Green Forest napkins- they aren't as exciting as the usual party fare but no one seemed to mind. We made goodie bags out of paper bags and rafia and tried to put things in there that either would be used (recyled newspaper pencils) or items that helped environmental organizations (rubber bracelets that helped ASPA). For my younger daughter's birthday this year we gave away clay pots with a paper bag full of soil and flower seeds. Like you, we also requested no gifts. The girls instead asked for donations to a cause they felt strong about. Both girls got to open the "gifts" and felt very empowered when they took their gifts to their organizations. They really felt that they had made a difference.
We also have had "green" birthdays for our children. You are right, it is hard to find earth friendly products. We used Chinet plates (like you) and Green Forest napkins- they aren't as exciting as the usual party fare but no one seemed to mind. We made goodie bags out of paper bags and rafia and tried to put things in there that either would be used (recyled newspaper pencils) or items that helped environmental organizations (rubber bracelets that helped ASPA). For my younger daughter's birthday this year we gave away clay pots with a paper bag full of soil and flower seeds. Like you, we also requested no gifts. The girls instead asked for donations to a cause they felt strong about. Both girls got to open the "gifts" and felt very empowered when they took their gifts to their organizations. They really felt that they had made a difference.
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