Gloss How-To: Throw An Earth-Friendly Kid’s Birthday Party

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Sophie Uliano

If you’re throwing a birthday party this year, make it earth-friendly – it is easy, simple and fun.Why throw a green birthday party? The first concern is to reduce the amount of waste. The easiest way to eliminate waste is to try not to use any paper or plastic tablecloths, cups, plates or cutlery.

Here are my tips for reduce waste without sacrificing the fun at your child’s birthday party:

- Go to www.recycline.com and purchase a set of their brightly colored cups, plates and cutlery. Recycline products are made from recycled yogurt cups — they have a partnership with Stonyfield Farms to turn old yogurt cups into useful, reuseable products that are well worth the investment.

- If you want to be a bit fancier, check out www.bambu.com — they carry a fabulous line of bamboo plates and cutlery. Bamboo is becoming very fashionable in the green scene as it is a renewable resouce. For younger kids, they carry a “spork” which is perfect for birthday cake.

- Instead of a tablecloth, find an old sheet and buy some non-toxic markers (available from most art stores). When the kids arrive, have them decorate the cloth with drawings or birthday messages to your child. It’s something that the birthday girl or boy  can keep forever and is a fun craft as well!

- Remember to always use cloth napkins. Don’t worry about having them match — its a kid’s party and odd ones can look more colorful and fun.

- Make sure all the food you serve is organic. You can buy delicious organic cake mixes from most large grocery stores, which are not only healthier, but they will save you a lot of money. It’s also fun to get your child involved in designing and making their cake.

- Goodie bags can be the most hideous waste of resources. They are oftentimes a load of plastic junk in a plastic bag – all of which will end up in the landfill. Instead, you can give really thoughtful gifts that will last like a packet of seeds to take home and plant.

Creating an eco-friendly party will also give you the opportunity to teach your child about caring for the planet too. It’s a win/win: you get to help the environment and your pocket book.

About the Author

Sophie Uliano is a passionate environmentalist who has developed an earth-friendly lifestyle that appeals to women who don’t want to compromise their glamour and style. She is the New York Times Best Selling author of “Gorgeously Green”, “The Gorgeously Green Diet,” and the newly released “Do It Gorgeously.”

Read more amazing tips from Sophie at GorgeouslyGreen.com