The Green Parent

Your Kid Friendly Guide To Earth-Friendly Living!

Waste-Free Wednesday: The Birthday Party Edition

birthday-cupcakeMy youngest daughter turns 3 today, so in honor of her special day, I’d like to dedicate this Waste-Free Wednesday to learning how to throw a green and waste-free birthday party.  Here’s how its done:


Invites
: Save money and resources by sending invites via email or text message. If you need to send an invitation by snail mail, make sure it is printed on recycled paper.


Decorations

: Skip the paper and plastic and decorate with natural items from your own backyard such as plants, flowers, leaves, and pine cones. Pick up reusable decorations such as pillows, scarves, and other fabrics. If your child just loves balloons, don’t deprive him, but make those balloons work hard to earn their place at the party. Use them as decorations and as parting gifts for friends (just make sure at least one stays home for the guest of honor).


Party Supplies:
If possible, use reusable dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins. If you do need to use paper products, seek out those with the highest recycled paper content or compostable utensils. Rent or borrow items that you won’t need more than once, like large punch bowls, chaffing dishes, or insulated beverage containers.


Gift Bags:
Replace the bags of gift junk with eco-friendly gifts such as consumables (cookies or lollipops are always a hit for kids, or try plants or flowers for adults), tickets (sporting events, movies, museums), or reusables (picture frames or art supplies).


Food:

Avoid waste by thinking conservatively when planning the quantity of food to serve guests. You will save a bundle of time and money in food preparation and cleanup. Be sure to donate any extra non-perishable items to your local food shelter.


Trash:
Set up recycling areas near your trash cans so that guests can easily recycle cans, paper, and glass.

Post Info

Date
February 18th, 2009

Author
Jenn Savedge

Category


61 Responses to “Waste-Free Wednesday: The Birthday Party Edition”


  1. Marianna says:

    My oldest son’s 4th birthday party is Sunday so this was perfect timing for me! Thank’s for the great tips!

  2. My twins will be 4 in September, so I have some time, but I had already started thinking about ways to make this year’s party more green. Thanks for the tips.

  3. Linda says:

    Great tips! People definitely need to be “green” concious now. Thanks for the info.

  4. Willo says:

    Great ideas! Happy birthday to your little one!

  5. Lena says:

    Thanks for sharing! These are all great ideas especially the plastic filled
    goody bags. I try to incorporate the “goody bag” into the party like a craft
    project or dress-up stuff. Last year we gave a pot with seeds for my daughter’s
    party. I just have to say;
    Plastic bags filled with cheap plastic junk is one of my pet peeves!

  6. Sue Swyt says:

    Nice tips, I hate goody bags, so our party activities are what kids take home. Break your own geodes (about $1 from science stores or online) broken in an old sock (Note: have safety glasses for kids and parent supervisors) are great for 5 and up. Building NASA for kids 2-liter bottle water rockets from scrap cardboard and 2 liter bottles is a great activity for a summer birthday. Building a pinata is loads of fun. This year my 5 year old built an R2D2 pinata out of paper mache balloon, oatmeal container, two spaghetti boxes and leftover paint. Think about what’s around you, a local playground, the pile of mulch or dirt in your yard can be a place to dig for “treasure”. (Treasure can be leftover happy meal toys or too-many-matchbox cars.
    let your kids guide you, they’ll come up with amazing ideas.

  7. Frasier is my favorite Tv present of all time. Now I can see reruns anytime I would like to thanks towards the Internet. I Get Free Diablo 2 Items Online. around the way to perform, for the way dwelling, when eating dinner and even when working. My family members thinks I’m crazy and really wants me to see an individual. They believe I am addicted towards the World-wide-web and particularly this show. I don’t consider it’s that very much of a difficulty, but my wife certainly does. She got so mad the other night she threw one thing at my laptop. Maybe I do need help as I don’t prefer to lose my wife and kids. Tonight I’m going to ask her to make an appointment with somebody for that two of us.

  8. Get D2 Items says:

    Frasier is my favorite Tv indicate of all time. Now I can see reruns anytime I would like to thanks towards the World wide web. I Get Free Diablo 2 Items Online. around the way to work, for the way residence, while eating dinner and even whilst working. My household thinks I’m crazy and really wants me to see someone. They believe I’m addicted towards the Web and particularly this demonstrate. I do not imagine it’s that much of a problem, but my wife certainly does. She got so mad the other night she threw some thing at my laptop. Maybe I do have to have help as I don’t prefer to lose my wife and kids. Tonight I’m going to ask her to make an appointment with someone for that two of us.

  9. Lydia Owen says:

    i really love to attend in parties because it is fun an you met a lot of new friends.::-

  10. i do really like parties, it is a fun way to spend your time and meet a lot of people.-;~

  11. Thanks so much for your great post;this is the stuff that keeps me going through out the day. I’ve been looking around for this site after being referred to them from a colleague and was thrilled when I was able to find it after searching for some time. Being a avid blogger, I’m pleased to see others taking initivative and contributing to the community. I would like to comment to show my approval for your page as it is very encouraging, and many bloggers do not get acknowledgment they deserve. I am sure I’ll drop by again and will send some of my friends.

  12. everyone loves to party, it is an exciting way to meet someone plus you got lots of food too.’`

  13. I really enjoyed the article. it seems to be so helpful for me and I am sure to all the followers here!

  14. Very detailed post would it be OK if i translate into German for our sites subscribers? Thanks

  15. parties are of course very enjoyable, i would never miss a good party specially if it has some great program -.`

  16. I have been looking for some personalised party banners for my fathers party. Can any one let me know a good site where I can get personalised banners? Any help would be great. Thanks Jane

  17. make money on the web This is an absolutely nice web-site.

  18. The layout is what really caught my eye, then the i looked at the writing and i think you did a very nice job. Good work:)

  19. Backlinks says:

    Very nice blog. Thanks for the great tips!

  20. Okay article. I simply found your blog site and wished to say I’ve definitely enjoyed reading through your thoughts. By any signifies I’ll be subscribing for a feed and I genuinely hope you write-up once more quickly….

  21. karen millen says:

    Your point is valueble for me. Thanks!…

  22. Your own view on this is wonderful and just how I really feel. I just e mailed my brother this page to demonstrate him your own perspective. After overlooking your weblog I saved and will be returning to read your updates!

  23. I was looking for this kind of the other day. i dont often post inside forums but i want to to say thank you!

  24. I have to convey my passion for your kind-heartedness supporting folks that have the need for help on your area of interest. Your special commitment to passing the message all through ended up being definitely valuable and has constantly made others much like me to get to their endeavors. Your own warm and helpful tutorial means a whole lot a person like me and far more to my peers. Thanks a lot; from all of us.

  25. Belle says:

    I’m liking Justin Bieber’s style.It’s too bad about his music is so generic.

  26. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. However think of if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could undeniably be one of the best in its niche. Very good blog!

  27. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it,I will be back to read more in the future.

  28. Cheers for the top notch material listed throughout your site, what follows is a trivial test for your website subscribers. Who actually cited the following quote? . . . .A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

  29. The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I know it was my option to learn, but I truly thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you would fix for those who werent too busy in search of attention.

  30. buy server says:

    Visit this site: buy server today for a 30% price cut on business servers.

  31. Wow, didn’t realize you could get this on the web now, saved me a trip to the campus – Thanks! posts like this on campus

  32. We know alot about backlinks, what do you know?

  33. Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying?

  34. Did you know that this article can change the lives of several people. You better pay attention to the choice of words ;)

  35. Really superb info can be found on blog .

  36. Many thanks for the great content listed within your website, what follows is a small question for your web site visitors. What person cited the following quotation? . . . .My Mama always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.

  37. A lot of thanks for all your valuable efforts on this blog. Betty take interest in participating in investigation and it’s really obvious why. Most people know all about the compelling ways you produce very useful tips and hints by means of this blog and as well as recommend contribution from website visitors on that content plus my simple princess has always been understanding so much. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. Your doing a superb job.

  38. Hockessin says:

    Great article. Keep it up.

  39. Iron doors says:

    What is the stupidest thing you’ve done on your own free will?

  40. banki says:

    Hello, I also have got mine own blog and I really want to write on it what I found on yours. You wrote interesting things and I want to use your words on my site. May I? Greeting.

  41. Hi can I get some information on your webmaster

  42. There may be noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.

  43. You made some decent points there. I regarded on the internet for the difficulty and found most people will associate with together with your website.

  44. Hello, thank you for sharing all of this.

  45. I just found your web site via Yahoo, and I must say that you compose interestingly good on your blog

  46. Cheers for the top notch facts contained throughout your site, what follows is a little test for your web site viewers. Who actually stated the following quote? . . . .I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.

  47. seks says:

    Wow! Thank you man! I continuously wanted to write on your sites something like file that.

  48. Twitter had a tweet on Wholesale Neiko Air Tools Air Sanders that lead me hear for some reason. Not sure what this has to do with what I was searching for.

  49. ndrstkaahvgmapbfgolbhrtgktglkjhdm



Leave a Reply



  • Ads