Health, Taken Seriously

We are throwing my son a birthday party this weekend.  Parties are so much fun, but often so wasteful.  It has been a fun challenge to try to throw this party with as little waste and effect on the environment as possible.  Here are some of the things we’ve done.

• Sent electronic invitations in lieu of paper ones.
• Limited decorations (no streamers, party hats, etc.)  Only one dozen balloons.
• All paper products are environmentally friendly.  Napkins are plain and made out of recycled paper.  Any table cloths used will be cloth and will not end up in the trash.
• We are having the children decorate cupcakes.  We are making the icing ourselves (no trans fats!) and are providing only dye-free, natural sprinkles (from India Tree), dried fruit, and Sundrops (like m&m’s, but without any artificial ingredients) for decorating.  It was hard to resist buying all sorts of colorful sprinkles, icings, and decorations, but I think the kids will have just as much fun with these more natural (and healthy!) ingredients.
• Instead of small, junky, Made in China toys that are often party favors, we are sending kids home with a whole wheat flour chocolate chip cookie mix.  The bag it comes in is recyclable.

Filed under: Children, Environment on February 27th, 2009