Birthday parties nowadays are often lavish and extravagant, even when they are for children. The birthday boy or girl might end up with many toys that perhaps they don’t need. The guests leave with party favors and goodie bags that will be forgotten when the party fun is over. The waste volume generated might be staggering with disposable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils as well as party streamer, deflated balloons, excessive toy packaging, wrapping paper. Add to that the stress of an all day sugar high and the inevitable sugar blues that come later and it is no wonder that many parents are making the switch to greener birthday parties.

Here are a few guidelines to green your child’s next birthday party:

1. Request previously loved toys or books instead of brand new gifts. Reduce consumerism and encourage the recycling of goods by requesting that your guests bring used toys and book instead of new ones. No doubt your child will enjoy these items just as much.
2. Wrap gifts in newspaper or other recycled paper products.
3. Forgo gifts altogether perhaps and ask that guests bring a donation to the local animal shelter…pet food, collars, feeding bowls, grooming brushes, etc. When all the guests arrive, carpool over to the animal shelter and have the birthday boy or girl hand over the donated items. Afterwards the guests can visit with and play with all the animals up for adoption. This raises awareness about the work of our animal shelters and gives them the community support they need. Your child will also feel a wonderful sense of pride in what they accomplished…choosing to serve their community instead of hoarding gifts.
4. If your child’s birthday is in early to late spring consider hosting a birthday garden party. Request that guests bring seedlings to plant and then at the party all the children (with parental assistance) can plant all of the seedlings in the designated garden area. The birthday garden will be a reminder of the fun for a long tome to come.
5. Instead of paper invitations send online invitations. This saves paper and money spent on stamps. You can also use seeded paper. After the party your guests can ‘plant’ their invitation in their yard and wildflowers will grow.
6. Ditch the disposable dinnerware and go with your regular plates, cups, and utensils. Yes, it means more washing but less waste. You can also buy compostable dinnerware from Preserve.
7. Set up recycling bins at the party and give kids a quick lesson about what goes where. Doing this will help educate guests about recycling and it will reduce the amount of clean-up you have to do later.
8. Instead of conventional balloons that can end up being eaten by local wildlife use paper lanterns instead.
9. At the party the children could make their own natural play dough, silly putty, or finger paints and take them home as party favors.
10. Volunteer to help visiting parents host their own low impact birthday parties and create environmental awareness as a community.

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