http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-birthday-party-ideas-please.html
Green Birthday Party Ideas, Please
Paper hats, plastic forks, wrapping paper, plastic cups, latex balloons, plastic party favors, paper napkins, vinyl tablecloths, and loads of artificially colored food and high-fructose corn syrup. Ahhh, children’s birthday parties–a few hours of glee and a heaping pile for the landfill.
In the past six years I have thrown a total of 10 birthday parties for my two girls. And although they have always had a load of the homemade thrown in, I must confess that when planning the early ones I was so wrought with nerves in anticipation of all the little people and their parents in my house that I definitely leaned toward a model of disposability.
But the bags and bags of trash after those first parties still bring a slight shudder of shame–and I have done my best to repent and put my best green foot forward in these festive endeavors. It just feels right. Birthday parties can be such a tremendous expression of waste and consumption, I don’t want my kids to identify those actions with the joy of their parties. It seems like a bad association to nurture.
As it turns out, skipping the Dora party kit for something outside of the box is completely fun. I thought I’d share some of the things we’ve done to green our parties, but since I have, to the best of my calculations, about 26 more birthdays until my kids pack off to college, I thought I’d ask you to share some of your ideas here too. So first, four of the solutions I have arrived at, then–if you’d be so kind–will you share your green birthday tips in the comment field below?
Instead of Balloons
Balloons are treated with ammonia, tetramethyl thiuram disulfide, zinc oxide and added plasticizers (and are harmful to marine life if they make it to the ocean rather than the landfill (where they aren’t so great either). Instead, make giant pompoms to hang from the ceiling from recycled tissue paper or pre-used wrapping paper.
Instead of Plastic Junk Goodie Bags
Have a take-home craft project for the favor. Some projects my kids have loved include: Making ojos de dios using twigs and yarn remnants; making fairy wands using long twigs and fabric scraps, old notions, sequins, pipe cleaners, etc.; decorating organic cotton tote bags with giant rubber stamps and soy-based ink. How about making and giving naturally scented and colored homemade play-dough? Or give a book, a little pack of craft supplies, or a well-thought small gift.
Instead of a Commercial Pinata
Making a perfect pinata can be challenging, but at the very least, making a funny-looking pinata is so rewarding, and the kids will love it even more (because chances are it will look wonderfully silly, like accidentally Dr. Seuss, at least mine have). Fill it with fruit leather, organic lollipops, yogurt raisins, and useful trinkets (hair clips, erasers, crayons, etc.).
Instead of Disposable Tableware
Over the years I have added to my collection of non-disposable party-ware: A case of wine glasses from a restaurant supply store, dozens of cloth cocktail napkins from eBay, thrift shop flatware, and a few stacks of strategically mix-matched dessert plates from flea markets. Now granted, glass and ceramic may not be the best materials used in a house of rambunctious 4-year-olds, but they work great for the parents. Add in a sleeve of eco-friendly paper cups and plates; and serve cupcakes and finger food to alleviate the need for plastic forks.
I’d love to hear about gift-wrapping, alternative gift-giving, green themes. Send me whatever you’ve got by commenting below. Thanks!
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22 comments
add your comment »I have always hated those silly plastic bag party favors filled with, well, junk. I gave a box of dollar bin sidewalk chalk inside a dollar bin beach pail with each child's name written on the outside. Cheap, and I know for a fact (as I have seen them) that they are all being used and enjoyed. I buy plastic tumbler cups whenever I see them on sale-- I now have enough of a collection to use them for parties. Yes, it's dishes, but it's one less thing I have to buy for every party. (I use my plates and silverware, but never seemed to have enough cups). Kids stuff can be served on plastic plates and I often buy a pack of sippies, write the kids names on them (as part of their favor) and serve juice or water in those.
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Does anyone know where to buy soy based ink for stamps? Would it be permanent on cotton or hemp tote bags?
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This year my younger son decided he didn't want a party "because everyone brings you silly stuff you don't need anyway".
Instead he opted for a cash gift to the value I would have spent on invites, the party and his gift from mom and dad.
No stress, no mess, no waste, and I have a very happy kid with a wad of cash in his hand. He's going shopping for those better but more expensive toys he really wants.
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I bought a stack of snack and meal size (non-disposable) plastic plates and cups about 3 years ago, and used them for a number of kid parties. I also stay away from pre-packaged drink boxes and serve 100% juice in the cups, which are pre-tagged with each child's name on a piece of masking tape on the cup. For adults I usually use glass.
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I held a green party for my daughter last month, and all of her friends wrapped their gift in a brown grocery bag, and instead of buying a bunch of game accessories, we cut out circles and squares from the wrapping paper to make our treasure hunt clues. There are so many ways to make Treasure Hunts fun for everyone, for any occasion. Try checking out Nancy Kruse's book, "Treasure Hunt-A Book of Clues for Parties".
http://www.treasurehuntcluesbook.com/
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Summer birthdays: wrap the gift in a beach towel- You can buy these on cheaply usually at the end of the summer on clearance-just have to store for use until you need it.
Young children or babies- baby blankets make great wrapping paper. You can use a giant diaper pin or pretty ribbon to secure or if you're looking for safety sew some Velcro on the corners and secure.
Handkerchiefs make great wrappings for small items and they come in such pretty designs. Clothe napkins also work well.
Smiles!!
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Instead of wrapping paper and one use boxes, Make ether small bags for the gifts or take small boxes and craft them in to a reusable package Themselves (this often ends up on Their nightstand ,but still It's reuse and They remember you.).(This last one is more of an holiday idea as well,enjoy.)
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I'm asking my guests to use newspaper or cloth to wrap gifts in and to get creative with birthday cards and use junk mail to make their own. I'm also looking into giving small plants with biodegradable containers as party favors with an attached poem/directions.
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I'm still fighting family who when my back is truned trows out anything I save (i.e.papper & ribbons),saying I'm too Martha...
When I set up anything It'll get quickly tron-down for Spooge-Bob and BratZ.
My biggest problem is the guest themselves.
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One party we had for my nephew was held at the local eagle preserve.We payed for the kids(the parents payed for themselves)and it was still cheaper then the theme restaurants or the ceramic shop.we had the party in the picnic area.The kids went away with photos,informative brochures,some complimentary postcards,and some great memories.
Another party had a car theme.We made each child a car from a cardboard box.(simply fold the top long flaps in for stability then tape the short ones to form the trunk and hood.The short bottom flaps are folded in while the long ones are cut to make the bottom of the wheels.)
We let the kids paint their cars with water based paint.They had fun racing.
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