Natural and Sustainable

Throw a greener party with some simple steps. Most of these ideas won’t cost you any extra dollars and can be found right in your home today.

1. For the Invitations: Make them from paper found around your own house. Construction paper can be made into many different invitation ideas. With a bit of creativity, you can make Any party invitation pop when the recipient receive it. Read more here.

2. For the Gifts: Request that your party goers give you or your child “experience” gifts. These gifts fall under the category of trips or trips where you learn things or experience them first hand and the best part is, they don’t cost any additional money to produce. Such as Zoo pass tickets, movie coupons or even a visit to a science museum. Read more here.

3. For the Decorations: Make your streamers from fabric or towels that are torn or about to be thrown away. Try latex biodegradable balloons over the Mylar balloons that are the typical choice for parties. Read more here.

4. For the Food: Make some cupcakes and top them with some all-natural beeswax candles. Serve fresh vegetables and fresh fruits from a near farmers’ market or from your own garden. Read more here.

5. For the Games: Thinking of games to entertain children, especially younger children can be a challenge. There are many games that most parents over look when planning a party and they keep children interested for as long as you play the game. Games such as obstacle courses, treasure hunts and even balloon races are waste free and keep kids busy. Read more here.

6. For the Favors: Make CDs for kids of their own type of music or give modeling clay made from your own kitchen, wrap in recycled fabric and tied with a recycled ribbon. Read more here.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Only run your washing machine with full loads, skip the rewash setting on the machine and switch from hot water to cold water washing. When you are in the market for a new washer, look for an Energy Star approved model, which in the long run can save you over $50 on your utility bills and over 7,000 gallons of water per year.