Eco Birthday to You

Anyone who has tidied up after a kid’s party will understand that the run-of-the-mill children’s fete has little to do with modern ideas like recycling, reusability and responsible consumption. The typical party will fill more than one green garbage bag of plastic plates, latex balloons and Mylar decorations. Birthday parties are a lot of work, but it’s not too hard to make sure they aren’t a lot of waste, too. So in honour of Earth Day this week, we’re pledging to paint the town green with our next birthday party. If you’re keen and green, you can with our green birthday party guide.

Invitations
If you can, save the paper and invite your guests virtually. We’re big fans of ECHOage because their service not only saves paper but also saves waste and helps kids think about helping others with their ‘one memorable gift, one meaningful cause’ approach to parties. But if you just want the invitation function, without all the extra bells and whistles, www.pingg.com provides free, stylish invitations and online RSVP tracking.

Decorations
The key word for decorations is reuse. Instead of overdoing in with expensive, one-use balloons and banners, why not buy or make a special decoration for the birthday child that can be used for years (and parties) to come? We love the felt birthday banners ($32.95) at mom-run Honeybunch. They also sell a whole line of adorable decorations and party hats that can be used over-and-over again.

Or you can make it really special and design your own. Chinese lanterns and paper garlands are great ways to get your kids to create the décor for their own party. You can even make it one of the party activities and include the guests.

While eco-advisors will encourage you to use your own serving pieces and tableware at the party, if your party isn’t in-house, schlepping all that stuff might not be possible. But you can lose the green guilt. There are a lot of eco-friendly disposable tableware (and more great decorations) at greenplanetparties.com.

Our favourite green décor idea, because it checks so many boxes (looking pretty, feeding hungry kids, providing healthy snacks) is to put fruit chunks onto bamboo skewers and then stick the fruit kebobs into a few flower pots filled with play dough. Strategically place along the party table and voila—a centerpiece that feeds the masses.

Loot
Probably the most wasteful part of any party is the loot bags. But before you run to the dollar store to fill a plastic bag with more plastic loot, you should know there are greener pastures.

For younger kids, try Anamalz. These award-winning Australian animal figurines are hand-made from wood and natural fibers and come with codes to let kids play with their new friends on the Anamalz web site. ($6.95 each at www.mastermind.ca). Green Planet Parties also offers an extensive selection of eco-friendly goodie bag items.

A few simple choices and it’s easier being green. Party on!

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