Even the most environmentally conscientious parents may struggle when faced with a child’s birthday party. Where to start? Maybe it’s just easier to do the usual things, and make amends the other 364 days of the year? And it’s all about the birthday child having fun, so that key component certainly can’t be sacrificed. Luckily, the times are changing and options abound. Here are a few things to consider if you want to hold a greener party.

Gifts

This choice is a reflection of your family. Some people may want to reduce the overall number of gifts - and opt either to collect for a favourite charity or go completely gift-free. The birthday child must be fully on board for this to work. Even better, maybe it is his or her idea in the first place. Otherwise you’ll have an “it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” moment. Good starting places are issues that your child has already noticed, whether it’s supporting the local animal shelter or homeless advocacy group. Consider sponsoring an endangered species for an animal-lover.

A slightly easier proposal is to “bring a gift and take a gift” - that way the birthday child gets one new present and there is no need for any additional goody bags. Or get each guest to bring garden-related items - small pots, soil, herbs - and spend some of the time planting. Then everyone takes home their new green friends.

Decorations

Many parties centre on a theme - often the birthday child’s favourite character or topic. It is simple to pick up a wide range of disposable items to fit the theme, whether it is Spiderman, princesses, space, or butterflies. However, cheap printed plastic is not the way to go. Consider using a fabric tablecloth, despite the risk of spills. Even after an afternoon of chaos, some part of the fabric can be reused if only for household rags.

Maybe fine china is not going to work, even if it is a tween's tea party. But sturdy dishes or mismatched pieces from the local thrift store will do the trick. IKEA plastic plates and cups are indestructible and can be recycled eventually (#5). They also fit the bill for picnics, dolly tea parties, and many other uses. The same principle works for cutlery - yes, it is tedious to wash all that caked-on food, but there is no plastic involved. If disposable tableware is truly essential, look for biodegradable and compostable plates and cups. Bamboo cutlery is also available.

Most kids don’t really need packaged “character” parties. Even the most avid fan is more focused on the party activities and not the matching decorations. If it is a real issue, try drawing (or tracing) favourite characters or items on kraft paper to make a tablecloth. Even better, let the kids do it at the party.

As for balloons, it might be easiest to go cold turkey. That may sound outrageous, but there are plenty of reasons. Fancy mylar balloons are not biodegradable. Even normal latex balloons, which do eventually break down, can cause problems. Some animals attempt to eat partially deflated balloons – the famous example is sea turtles mistaking these balloons for jellyfish – or swallow shards of latex. Even small children are prone to popping bright bits of balloon into their mouths. In addition, the shiny ribbon usually attached to helium-filled balloons is certainly not biodegradable. There is a new Fair Trade rubber balloon available, which might help. However, given all the issues, maybe balloons don’t need to be included at parties any more.

Goody Bags

How many times have you come home with - or sent home - a small plastic bag full of small plastic items (often from the dollar store)? While kids are thrilled to rip open these sacks of treasure, the pleasure is usually short-lived. There is a reason that these items were inexpensive - they are poorly made, mass-produced, and definitely not sustainable. Instead, send home crafts made at the party or a theme item - like a butterfly net for a summer party. Maybe the guests are all exchanging gifts and no extra goodies are needed. In most cases, a single well-chosen object might work - like a small reusable cloth bag (personalized with fabric paint) or a decorated photo frame (to hold a picture from the party). How about a copy of your child’s favourite book? Imagination has no bounds. Add in a small chocolate or other modest treat, and most kids will be satisfied.

Photo credit: Carol Young