Baby Shower by ACME Party Box Company
If there’s ever a perfect time to host a fresh an eco-friendly celebration, it’s for the coming of a new baby. A newborn is pure, unspoiled, and reminds us of new beginnings and the miracle of nature. There are many ways – both new and old – you can create a natural, healthy baby shower that helps the mother-to-be without harming Mother Earth.
Gather guests with green baby shower invitations
Spread the word about the upcoming festivities with eco-friendly baby shower invitations. Conventional paper invitations are usually made of virgin paper fibers (think clear-cut forests) that are processed using chlorine bleach (creating cancer-inducing carcinogenic dioxins) and printed with petroleum-based dyes. New green invitations are stylish and fun:
- Rather than printed invitations, use electronic ones. There are tons of free and fun online e-invite sites, including one of the most popular: Evite. These include features like RSVP tracking, allow guests to tell you what food they’re bringing, and invite group collaboration for activities. Greener, cheaper, and they make your life easier!
- If you choose to go with printed invitations, try non-tree paper options like those made from banana leaves or coconut fibers.
- Look for recycled content paper with a high (70% or more) post-consumer recycled content level.
- Seek out invitations made with papers that are processed chlorine-free (PCF).
- Choose invitations printed with soy or plant-based inks.
- If you can, hand-deliver your invitations via a bicycle, walking, or public transit to give yourself some exercise and save the transport emissions.
Eco-friendly baby shower food and drinks
What’s a baby shower without great food? Make your treats and beverages something they’ll remember by choosing healthy, greener options for your baby shower menu.
- Serve foods made with organic and fair trade ingredients – this includes everything from chocolate to fruit, nuts to flour, sugar to coffee and tea.
- Shop at your local farmer’s market to purchase food that’s grown and produced in your own community.
- Look for drinks made with organic ingredients and natural sweeteners.
- Avoid using disposable dishes and cups for serving the food. Not only are these expensive, they’re incredibly wasteful. Real dishes are classier and take only a little bit of effort to wash up.
- Compost any leftover food or paper waste from the party to close the loop on the green menu.
Sustainable Decorations
With classic reusable decor, your guests will love celebrating in eco style.
Baby Bunny Favors by ACME Party Box Company
- Plastic tablecloths and paper plates are not only wasteful, they look like you took no effort in making the occasion special. Real linens are sophisticated and stylish.
- With a motto like, “Party. Rinse. Repeat” you can’t go wrong with the sustainable, reusable party supplies from ACME Party Box Company. They just added new pale pink and pale blue collections that will really up the “Aaaah” factor at your baby shower.
- Decorate with live plants. There’s nothing like bringing nature indoors to spruce up a party space. Potted plants make great centerpieces, and small trees make a great backdrop for photos of the proud mommy.
Green baby shower gift ideas
We’ve covered before how a new baby needs a lot less stuff than the baby products industry tells us. Not all new moms are willing, but be sure to share the benefits of choosing gently used items for baby. If only brand new will do, you can still help her create a useful, minimalist gift list by sharing some green shopping tips with her. Here are some excellent eco-friendly choices for the new baby’s life:
- Choose glass rather than plastic bottles
- Cloth diapers
- High-quality stroller made with recycled materials
- Furniture made with FSC-certified woods and painted with eco-friendly tints
- Linens and textiles created using organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or wool
- A natural baby mattress made free of PVC plastic and flame retardant chemicals to ensure a safe and happy sleep
- Encourage guests to bring gifts unwrapped or in baskets. Or wrap them in fabric gift bags.
Fabric gift bags by Living Ethos
Are you planning a baby shower? If so, we’d love to hear your questions or advice in the comments below, or post pictures of your best green party skills on Facebook.
