Everyone loves a party, for whatever occasion. But those gift-giving occasions… yeah, not so earth-friendly (for so many reasons!).
I recently attended a kid’s birthday party with our daughter. Parties themselves create so, so much waste, but here is what I saw that left me dumbfounded…
* Kid unwraps present – Mom throws wrapping paper in trash bag!
* Kid opens card – Mom throws envelope in trash bag!!
* Kid pulls present from gift bag – Mom throws GIFT BAG in TRASH BAG!!!
I nearly choked. And I’m sure other moms noticed me standing there, wide-eyed and bewildered, staring at the trash bag. But I know the trash bag wasn’t collecting recycling because it was collecting “trash-trash” too.
I’ve made a new pact with myself not to use wrapping paper if there is any way to avoid it. I use gift bags. And I REUSE gift bags. I don’t care if they look a little used. Who cares, really. Two friends of mine have been passing the same bag back and forth for years! It started as a joke, but in reality, it’s pretty practical.
Most non-metallic wrapping paper can be recycled, but gift bags are great because they can be used again and again, until they get tattered, and THEN recycle them.
Say “goodbye, wrapping paper”…say “hello, gift bag!” Could Mother Earth talk, I’m sure she’d love a celebration, but celebrate Mother Earth by not turning it into an Un-Happy Trash Day.
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Hiya Doreen!
I am fairly new to the blogging world and am excited about meeting other like-minded, eco-friendly, organic mothers! I am a mother of a 3 1/2 year old girl with my second daughter due in Sept. Like you, I strive to be one of “those moms” - eco conscious.
I really enjoyed this post. We have been to far too many birthday parties full of waste and excess. Not only is there so much left over wrapping paper, cards, etc. but what about those worthless goody bags full of plastic junk that kids will toss aside? (For my daughter’s 3rd party, we skipped the crap and purchased a “Save the Earth” book for each of her guests presented in a reusuable shopping bag). Of course, there is the excessive amount of gifts, too. I think we eco Moms are going to revolutionize the future of birthday parties though. Enough is enough, eh?
Anyway, again, I enjoyed the post and will definitely be back to visit your blog! i look forward to getting to know you better! Cheers, Kimberly
Kimberly Stapletons last blog post.."I love ants, Mummy, they are our friends!"**
Thanks, Doreen, for the encouragement on my pending delivery!
I’m glad you liked the gift bag idea. It was so easy and affordable and was really well received. I went to our local Fresh Market store which had these cute carrot/veggie themed reusable bags for $.99 so I bought those and then found the book at Amazon for $2.00 (it was a little paperback) For a total of $3.00, I had a goody bag I felt good giving to her birthday guests. It may have been slightly more expensive (although those made in China whistles and fake tatoos are expensive too!) but at least I know the items are being used.
Glad I found your blog. I just read your “about me” section and am able to completely identify with you! Really excited about learning from you and sharing tips in the future! Cheers, Kimberly
Dor, you are doing so much good I am really proud of this blog. Each day there is someone new that is reading your blog and either supporting what you are doing or learing from it. Keep it going!
…and by the way I could see your face at the birthday party and again that’s why I love you.
It is not just the gift bags and wrapping paper that adds up, but also the tissue paper that is used to “protect” or “hide” the gift inside the wrapping paper or gift bag. I use old magazine pages and old news papers instead of buying new tissue paper every time I wrap a gift. If I receive a gift with tissue paper, I re-use it, just like I re-use the bag itself. If anyone comments on the “fake” tissue paper, I just mention it is another small effort to use less waste.
Devyls last blog post..Baby S Update:
Doreen!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I cannot stand gift bags and recently stopped even giving cards for children’s birthdays. While I appreciate the Hallmark sentiment, a 4 year old doesn’t really care, so I have my kids write on the gift wrap or a little piece of paper with the bag. I do reuse the bags I am given.
I would like to find good recycled paper to wrap gifts in, because I will admit, I love a wrapped present and what goes along with unwrapping it, but do think there are much better options.
Frannie
OneGreenMommys last blog post..Top 10 Easy Green Changes
Dor!
I’ve been there! I’ve seen so many things thrown out at parties that it makes me sick. Recently, I actually started going over to “help” the Mom. That way when the child is done, mom passes the “trash” to me. I then fold it all up lovingly (bags and tissue) and give it to the mom at the end. Suprisingly, a lot of people actually say “thanks, I would have never thought to do that”. “What?Seriously?”, I think. It’s a good trick if you are fairly close to the family or can kind of barge into the show. : )
I’m happy to report that I can’t even remember the last time I’ve actually purchased a bag or tissue paper. I’ve saved all of it since my wedding shower! Thankfully I have big flat files to save it all in. That’s the key really, dedicating an organized place to store things. I learned to re-use tissue paper from my grandma many years ago. She actually used to iron it on low so no one would know her secret! Funny! Depression era moms where super resourceful.
I love the party favor idea and am totally doing that for our next round of b-days — THX, Kimberly!
Love ya, Dor!
Mis! - I JUST did that exact thing this weekend at my friend’s daughter’s b-day party. She even brought a bag just for recycling because she knew I would kill her otherwise!!!
And I think I actually DO recall you saving the tissue paper at Sam’s party!!! Good for you, mama! And good for grandma too! She is probably so concerned about the “saving” aspect of the tissue paper, she doesn’t realize she’s being green! Hey…GrandmaGoesGreen! …the ironing thing too ..how cute is that? And yes, Kimberly’s party favor idea rules! …and of course, I love ya too, sugar!!!
Great post, thanks! It is something to think about
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