Let's wish our kids a "Happy B EARTH day!"

*Keep it simple  *  Plan it green  *   Buy less  *  Celebrate life, not Stuff

By Sandy Lennon

If you have a child, you are probably planning or going to numerous birthday parties each year. How we choose to celebrate sends a message to our kids about our values around consumption and care of the earth. Let's make positive changes and talk about them with our children. Birthday parties are a great opportunity to explore how our everyday choices have an impact on the planet!

When planning your own child's birthday party, just say no to:

• Buying cheap, plastic party favors, and the plastic party bags that hold them, that end up in the garbage the next day.
• Serving pre-packaged, single-serving snacks that 1) consume a lot of energy to get to your table, and 2) generate a lot of trash. Serve apple slices instead of fruit leathers, juice in a cup instead of juice boxes, pretzels from one big bag instead of individual packages. Try serving local, organic foods!
• Using disposable tablecloths, decorations, plates, cups,flatware and napkins. Use reusable products, or products that can be composted.

Just say yes to:

• Keeping it simple when planning decorations, activities, gifts, party favors...and maybe the number of people to invite. 
• Considering quality over quantity.
• Invitations that are emailed, made from recycled materials, or can be recycled.
• Suggesting alternative gift-giving, e.g. no gifts, a book exchange, a dollar limit, homemade or recycled gifts, or donations to a cause.
• Party favors that will last (a durable toy), can be consumed (cookies the kids decorated at the party), or encourage interaction with nature (bird houses they made, plants they potted, seed packets).
• Offering experience gifts (tickets to a puppet show)
• Buying gifts that involve minimal packaging, are locally made, durable, and don't use batteries.
• Wrapping the gift in recycled wrapping paper, children's old artwork, a reusable container that's part of the gift, or a reusable shopping bag for the child's family!
• Making homemade cards of recycled/recyclable materials.

Share your ideas with us on how you celebrate your B Earth Days!