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.
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