Perennial party favors

Take note of Jen Keeler's party favor idea! Jen provided perennials for son Jaden's preschool friends on his birthday. In lieu of buying plastic throw aways, Jen decided it would be nicer to gift something to plant that would better protect the earth and make kids really happy. She picked a variety of colors, so kids had a choice, and the planter holders can be returned and reused.

What's so terrible about a goodie bag?

Those "little plastic doo-dads", as Jen says, quickly become garbage after the thrill wears off.  The real problem is their damage on a global scale.  Waste and transportation generate the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.  One bag seems like nothing, until you calculate the number of kids at the party and the number of parties across the country.  One glance at the "Made in China" sign reminds us of how far they have travelled.

Other alternative party favor ideas include potted herbs.  You can even make the decoration of the pots and the potting the party activity.  Some moms request no gifts.  Others welcome recycled gifts,  book exchanges, or ask for donations to philanthropic organizations in lieu of gifts.  When gift giving, it helps to talk to kids about the importance of minimal packaging and of choosing items that are meant to last or have a low environmental impact.

Quick-thrill products teach our kids that things are disposable. No problem, toss it and get another.  Our planet isn't disposable.  Moms can show kids a healthier way so they can avoid the most severe effects of global warming. Learn more about the cycle of Stuff by watching this 20 minute animated video at the StoryofStuff.com.

What else is Jen doing?

To limit her family's carbon footprint, Jen buys organic food that is produced as close to home as possible and considers her transportation choices.  She carpools with other moms when she can and bikes a lot.  "Admittedly", she says, "a fair-weather two wheeler".  Jen conducted a t-shirt fundraiser for her business to raise money for the Arbor Day Foundation. Jen is a yoga teacher and teaches yoga for happier, healthier families. Jen's business is Yoga Momma, founded out of a need for understanding of the challenges faced by mothers and a desire to serve and support them.

Teach kids early

Jen sends son Jaden to Nature Kids Preschool, chosen out of a desire to educate her son about the natural world.  Jen believes early environmental education can give their world hope.  We agree.  Children who are exposured to nature are more apt to become environmental stewards themselves.

Recommended reading from CoolMom.org:  Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv  

Happy planet, happy kids

Gift giving is a wonderful thing but it is best when it is simple, creative, and thoughtful.  Birthday parties present a wonderful opportunity to model and talk about values around consumption, what's really important (celebrating our friends!), and the impact of our choices on our planet.  Moms are inherently creative.  We can find better ways to keep our kids happy, whether we are on the road, at the grocery store, or singing Happy Birthday to Yooouuu!