Update: Find more eco-friendly ideas at ecofriendlymomma.com
Nia will turn 1 in less than a month and my family says I must throw her a party. So I’ve been planning, but I want to do things a little different. The thought of all the balloons, streamers, wrapping paper, knick-knacks in goodie bags, excessive and un-needed gifts…gives me a headache! So I’ve been researching eco-friendly party ideas so I can have a “green” birthday party for the kiddo. This is what I’m thinking of so far:
- Decorations are unnecessary, especially at a 1-year-old’s birthday party. She could care less whether I had pink streamers cascading across the ceiling and walls, or brown paper bags stapled to the walls (by the way, I’m not really gonna do that). So I’ll forgo the fancy directions decorations, they’re just so temporary and then afterwards you’re left with a heaping helping of TRASH!
- Disposable eating ware is a must, but styrofoam is a no-no! So I’m turning to Aha-Yes! and their Greener Earth Marketing. They sale plates, bowls, cups, utensils, and drinking straws–made from sugercane pulp, corn, or potato. The products are sturdy, 100% tree free, biodegradable, soak-proof (very important!), and some are even compostable.
- As for games, I don’t have a clear-cut gameplan. Do 1-year-olds respond to structured play, or would they just wander around willy-nilly finding the slightest thing that amuses them? I think it’s the latter. But because there will be 2 and 3-year-olds present, I have to come up with some ideas that will keep the older kiddos entertained. Any suggestions?
- FOOD. I’m trying not to offer to many sugary sweet options. I’m fairly certain I’ll purchase the bulk of the snack foods from Earth Fare. They have healthier options that are just as good, or better, than the stuff you’ll find at a mainstream grocery store. Of course I’ll have a birthday cake so I can capture the obligatory 1-year-old cake-in-the-face photo
. - Sorry USPS, I won’t send paper invitations via snail mail. Instead, I’m using evite.com. It’s faster, cheaper (free, can’t get any cheaper than that), and doesn’t come with the headache of having excess invitations, to either horde with the rest of my clutter or waste by throwing them away.
- In lieu of overpriced (MADE IN CHINA) toys, I’ll be asking attendees to do 1 of 3 things (of course optional, folks can bring toys if they want):
- Bring a gently used toy that your child has outgrown, or no longer plays with.
- Give Nia a book (or books) as a gift. Edward Mckay Used Books has a pretty good selection of cheap children’s books.
- Donate a few dollars to a fund, of which I haven’t chosen yet. I’m leaning towards Kiva.org. If I choose to give a loan through Kiva, when the money is paid back, I’ll just use it to loan more money. That way, the gift will keep giving forever.
So these are my ideas for a “green” birthday party. Still in the planning process, so if anyone has ideas I welcome your comments.
i don’t have too many suggestions on an eco-friendly party, but i will say that you might as well “x” the games unless you plan to have some in place for older children to enjoy. a 1-year-old is too young for games. every party that i’ve gone to for a 1-year-old the birthday girl/boy they either slept through parts of it, got cranky because of the number of people (folks say that you should keep guests to a minimum so that your child isn’t overwhelmed, but i don’t know too many people that follow this bit of advice), or just kinda played to themselves until the next relative came in to swoop them up. we couldn’t even get dutch to eat cake at his first birthday party!
mama’s got moxie’s last blog post..crafts and kisses 2008?
yeah that’s what i was thinking. i’m just gonna put the babies on the floor and let them crawl around and play. it’s the big kids i’m worried about *sigh*
Heck even I want to come to your party, lol. I love your ideas. With my daughter it was just free for all play. I didn’t have a part on her birthday but the times I’ve hung out with other mothers, with children, my daughters age. They had fun chatting with each other. When they got bored they came to mommy.
If you’re hesitant about sweets you could always make “fruit pudding”. I blend fruit in a food processor and give it to my daughter. That is still one of her favorite meals. I make it right before I serve it.
Opal Tribble - Vegan Momma’s last blog post..Rescuing Mary’s Little Lamb
thanks Opal.
i may try the fruit pudding. my niece loves yogurt with chopped fruit and granola mixed in. she would always eat mine, so i have to be certain to make her a bowl when i make some for myself.
You have some rather creative ideas so far. Being as though your daughter is only one you dont have a whole lot to worry about. For older children’s party ideas you may want to check here: http://www.kiwimagonline.com/articles/articles_PartyIdeas.php
They also have great eco-crafts for kids as well.
thanks. i looked at the site, and you have some wonderful suggestions for party activities. you’re right, i’m not too concerned about this first birthday party, but i look forward to using some of Kiwi’s suggestions for future parties.
Nice…
Azuka’s last blog post..Other Half
A great way to have an “Eco Friendly Birthday” is an Echoage, party. No packaging, and wrapping and cards and envelopes….no driving around searching for an unappreciated gift. Parents host a party and guests pool money by paying online… it gets split between the birthday child and a meaningful cause. Echoage takes a share to cover transaction costs etc.
They also have cool tools so you can track your online RSVP’s, keep track of emergency phone numbers, and any special needs of the kids.
Nifty.
Great idea! How original…
I feel the same way about all the wrapping paper and decorations thrown around, and also I agree strongly with the healthier food options.
But I think making no decorations at all feels a little weird, at least in my opinion. I think you better just get quality decorations that are not meant to be thrown away after one party - just a few nice and cool features like lamps and flags, that you can put away and re-use in the next parties…
Good luck!
?????? ????????’s last blog post..??????? ???????? ???????
For those interested, I have created a Green Birthday Party Planner at my web site.
Green Birthday Party Planner @ hoisingtonbooks.com
Hi!
Just read your article and found it so inspiring! One toy we’ve forgotten (but played with long ago) are bean bags. My company makes them, with different fabrics based on gender, filled with organic peas. You could set up some buckets and have kids of all ages do a bean bag toss game. Give out organic lollipops as a treat for ’scoring’ in the bucket. Even a 1 year old would look cute trying this. We also carry biodegradable tableware, cloth decorations, and many sustainable goodie bag options. I enjoyed the post and hope you enjoyed that special party!
Suzanne
co-founder Green Planet Parties
http://www.greenplanetparties.com