Submitted by Ann, Denver  CO

I would like to throw an eco-friendly party for my child's birthday. What are some ways that I can reduce our party's impact on the Earth?

Answered by Lynn Colwell & Corey Colwell-Lipson , Authors, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family

Choose reusable tablecloths, napkins, plates, cups and utensils for your party. Don't have enough? Ask the parent of each child to bring a tableware set, or check your local thrift store for items that can be mixed and matched.  Renting is also an eco-fab idea, if the budget allows.

Choose green treats and treasures for goodie bags. With concerns like the childhood obesity epidemic, lead-laden treats and child-slaves in the chocolate industry, even savvy parents may not know what is safe, earth-friendly, ethical and affordable to hand out to the kids who come knocking.  Not to fear -- there are ample possibilities. You've just got to "think outside the conventional candy box."  Here are a few possibilities:

• Agave or honey sticks (very low price point and we've never met a kid who doesn't love 'em. But never give honey to a child under age two)
• Polished rocks and stones
• Store bought or homemade play doh
• Feathers (an in-person poll of hundreds of kids -- toddlers to teens -- made feathers the #1 "treasure" of 2007)
• Organic candy or Fair Trade Chocolate.
• Handmade friendship bracelets
• Jokes, puzzles or fortunes printed on recycled paper, rolled up and tied with string, or placed inside of a walnut shell and then tied with string.

When it comes to "treasures" take a clue from doing laundry. What kinds of things do you empty from your children's pockets? Acorns, shells, coins?

Regardless of which "goodies" you choose as giveaways, hand out less. Preferably your goodies of choice are healthy and/or Earth-friendly, but even if they're not, handing out just of something is better for kids, better for the planet and better for your bank account.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are the mother-daughter founders of The Green Year, LLC and co-authors of the new book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. Lynn is also a life coach and grandmother of four. Corey is a licensed marital and family therapist and mommy to two. They can be reached for comments or questions through their site CelebrateGreen.NET. 

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