Celebrate Earth Day all year round with our eco-friendly birthday party products!
It's not as hard as you might think to give your child a more eco-friendly birthday party. All that is really required is a little thought and advance planning. Think of your birthday party in terms of the old reliable standards of "reduce, reuse and recycle." Giving an eco-friendly party doesn't have to mean doing without. It means you can be creative and engage your children in a meaningful experience which celebrates their lives and their world at the same time. Here is a beginner's Eco-Friendly Party Guide. Remember, every little change can help; if we all do just a little bit, we can make a difference!
ECO-FRIENDLY PARTY GUIDE
DO use the internet to email party invitations
DO use recycled paper or repurpose leftover paper scraps to create homemade invitations
DO use durable plates, cups and utensils that can be washed after the party. If you don't have the quantity you need, borrow from family and friends. Or check out yard sales and thrift shops. You really don't need matching sets and you can get all you need at very little cost. Or consider serving finger food only, passing on plates and utensils altogether, instead using cloth napkins to hold the food.
DO use recycled, compostable plates and utensils made from sugar and corn starch if the previous option won't work for your party. Whole Foods and Wegmans carry both or check out Branch online.
DO use cloth table covers. If you don't want to use your good tablecloths, order one of ours in a print to coordinate with your party theme. See our TABLECLOTHS section to order.
DO use cloth placemats as an alternative to a tablecloth. Keep them to use again or gift them to your guests along with a coordinating napkin. Our handmade placemats will be available soon.
DO use cloth napkins. If you don't want to use your good napkins, order ours in a theme print to match or coordinate with our tablecloths and placemats. You can keep the napkins for your family or use them to wrap up a homemade treat for your gugests. See our NAPKINS section to order.
DO use cloth favor bags for holding healthy cookies or snack mix (perhaps the kids can make the goodies as a party activity) or a party craft. Your guests can continue using the bags at home to hold little treasures, game pieces or small toys. See our FAVOR BAGS section to order.
DO try to avoid mylar balloons. Even latex balloons, although not synthetic, can be a hazard to wildlife. Think of replacing some balloons with one of our fabric banners that will coordinate with your party colors. Come back soon to view our own selection of party banners.
DO use cloth bibs. Buy one for the birthday baby and/or several more for the youngest guests - they can double as favors. See our BIBS section to order. We can make a bib in almost any of our fabrics so if you don't see what you want, please give us a call or email. We just might be able to make one for you!
DO plan party activities and crafts that are environmentally friendly and that encourage the preservation, recycling or repurposing of materials. See our PARTY ACTIVITIES section for ideas.
DO plan party food that is healthy, easy to prepare and easy to eat! Finger food can all but eliminate the need for utensils. Consider enlisting the help of the children to prepare the food as part of the party theme or activity. Try a "Cooking Live" party theme for older children. Younger children can assemble their own mini pizzas and decorating individual cupcakes or the birthday cake is fun anytime. Always plan the menu around any food allergies. See our PARTY FOOD section for ideas and recipes.
DO try to use food that is seasonal and organic. Support your local farms whenever possible.
DO consider giving a party that focuses on something other than buying expensive gifts. Discuss with your child the benefits of donating to a favorite cause, collecting items for a local shelter, humane society or food bank. Consider a book or toy exchange (don't we all have duplicates or under used toys in almost new condition?) or a Montessori style party. See our PARTY THEMES section for details.
Giving a green birthday party may seem daunting at first glance, but read it over a few times...it's really just a simple shift in planning and one which we should already be doing (or trying to do) in our daily life. Check out our eco-friendly green birthday party themes, activities and party food for inspirations. Then check out our green birthday party supplies. Clicking on any of the following will take you there!
Questions? Call us at (877) 773-4417 M-F 9:00 - 5:00 EDT or email onemom@onemomandaparty.com
Being kinder to our planet....One Mom, One Party at a time!
