As my husband and I were planning this party, it struck us how important it is to be mindful of the kind of rituals we develop. A birthday party is a great opportunity to set a good example and encourage values that are both friendly to people and the planet. As the years go by and our guest list expands, we hope to always do our best to promote healthy and meaningful birthday rituals that still leave room for a whole lot of fun. 

 

Here are some ways to keep it green and simple. 

 

 

E-vites are a great alternative to paper invitations because they create zero waste and are free. It’s also a more reliable way to manage your guest list because your guests can RSVP instantly, rather than by phone or by mail. There are many sites that provide this service for free, such as Evite.

 

 

Homespun decorations will add charm and warmth to any party, and using materials such as felt and fabric will ensure they can be used from year to year. For my son’s party, I used polka dotted fabric from a pair of old shorts and patched together a flag garland. I also threaded some colourful felted balls on string as an alternative to streamers. For the Happy Birthday banner, I cut out letters using Japanese chiyogami and pasted them on thick handmade paper squares to be hung with tiny clothespins on a line of string. These will all store nicely and can be used again and again. 

 

If you’re not so inclined to do it yourself, here are some great resources to help you get the party started!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeding people can sometimes be a logistical nightmare and we tend to default to the disposable plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups when we’re overwhelmed with guests. With a little planning, this is one area where we can really make a difference in the amount of waste we create. As an alternative, why not use cloth napkins, tablecloths, placemats, and real plates and utensils? It’ll certainly give your party an air of sophistication! This may seem like a lot of work, but it amounts to little more than a couple rounds of dishes and an extra pile of laundry. 

 

If you don’t have enough dishes for the number of guests you plan to entertain, borrow a set from a friend, neighbour, or family member. In my case, I usually ask my parents who are pros at entertaining. They always hook us up with a set of 12 dinner plates, side plates, and utensils. Use your connections!

 

 

Ideally, the food served at a birthday party should not create a stampede of sugar-fueled children bouncing off the walls and foaming at the mouth. Baking a birthday cake yourself will not only be more tasty, but you can also cut back on sugar and use healthier recipes, sweetened with honey, maple syrup, applesauce, or other alternatives. For my son’s train cake, I’m using mini banana loaves, frosted with cream cheese--light on the icing sugar.

 

 

 

Giving and receiving gifts at a birthday celebration has become the accepted social norm. However, many parents feel that the culture of gifting is spiraling out of control, and that the meaning and sentiment are lost when children receive so many gifts.   Haven’t we all got too much stuff as it is? 

 

Luckily, there are alternatives to conventional gifting, from parents insisting on a “no gift” policy, to collecting donations for charity. 

 

For parents searching for a happy medium, check out Echoage parties. In a nutshell, here’s how it works:

 

Guests are invited to an ECHOage birthday party online. Instead of bringing a wrapped and packaged present, guests simply RSVP and give a secure online contribution.  ECHOage pools all of the contributions, half of which will go towards one special gift for your child. The other half will be donated to a charity of your choice.   ECHOage arranges everything, so no need for your guests to drive, shop, wrap, or even pick up the phone to make a donation. 

 

Here’s your chance to be creative. Skip the dollar store and the disposable (possibly lead) trinkets. Some suggestions include a small tree to plant, some wildflower seeds, or handmade soaps. Homemade baked goods are always a hit!

 

-- Sarah Simpson

   sarah@babyontheway.ca