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This month, Lucy Brindley from Little Cherry gives us her top tips for organising an ethical and eco-friendly party your child will want remember.
Foolish over-indulgence has given way to a new trend at children's parties and, with the party circuit often following the same old tired formula, staging something completely different is the new way to stand out from the crowd.
As mums become increasingly environmentally conscious, it makes sense that we should begin to look for eco-friendly alternatives to the typical plastic, pile-it-high children's party which are often followed by the distribution of plastic bags filled with plastic breakable toys.
Follow our top tips for an eco-friendly birthday party - with a few small changes to your normal routine and some creative ideas you can really make a difference with your next celebration!
Venue and Theme
Setting a theme for your party will focus your purchases and really pull everything together. Sit down with the birthday boy or girl and try to set a theme they would enjoy. Themes could have an environmental spin especially Farmyard or Jungle, teach your children to think about the choices they make so they have fun planning the party and protecting the planet at the same time! Have the party at home or if space would be an issue try a community space such as your local village hall. Try to use recycled invitations or send e-vites to guests.
 Party Bags
Rather than handing out plastic party bags filled with plastic toys, choose re-usable 100% cotton party bags or recycled paper party bags and fill them with ethical traditional wooden toys such as animal topped pencils, spinning tops and wooden jewellery (all available from www.littlecherry.co.uk). Organic fair-trade chocolate is now also widely available, try Montezuma’s for a real treat!
You may also like to try making your own recycled paper party bags - the Little Cherry website also includes set-by-step instructions on how to do so (click here).
Decorations
Rather than disposable plastic decorations, go for the stylish option by choosing 100% cotton party bunting, which can be re-used year after year, or even displayed in your child’s bedroom as a lovely year round decoration and reminder after the party.
Choose biodegradable streamers and recycle them afterwards, and always use natural latex balloons, which are made with natural sap of the rubber tree. Little Cherry has a great selection of FSC certified, fair trade balloons, which will biodegrade within around six months, which is the same as an oak leaf. Use natural compostable raffia or paper string in place of plastic strings to tie them in place.
Food
 Buy local, organic food and try to find the time to make it yourself so the kids don’t get hyperactive from colourings and flavorings. Little Cherry has some great articles and recipes for healthy party food!
The Party Table
Try using crockery you already have and link it to your theme by choosing colourful serviettes, which can be recycled after the party. If this isn’t an option, use organic bamboo tableware, compostable palm leaf tableware, starch tableware or sugar cane tableware, or dishwasher safe, recycled plastic plates which can be re-used again and again.
Gifts
If you too are concerned by the amount of plastic presents which turn up at the party, why not simply ask guests to not buy plastic toys and recommend traditional wooden toys, colouring books or jigsaw puzzles instead. Obviously choose a tactful way to make this request or even suggest you make the party a toy swap affair!
All the products mentioned in this article are available from www.littlecherry.co.uk where you can also find more great party hints and tips!
© Ethical Earth Limited / Little Cherry March 2009
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