No one deserves more to be celebrated in an earth-friendly way than moms-to-be and their babies. After all, everyone wants the best for their children and the best, as we now realize, is to make healthier choices for people and the planet. Throwing a "green" baby shower doesn't take extra work, it just takes a bit more planning. A good place to start is by thinking about how you can apply the 3Rs —reduce, reuse, recycle to the baby shower.
Reduce the amount of decor you buy, the amount of food you purchase, the amount of disposables, whether for wrapping, plates or table coverings. Invited guests to the shower by telephone or e-mail.
Reuse by repurposing items for decor. For instance, if you're giving the mom cloth diapers, hang them on a clothes line strung along one wall. Intersperse with colorful pieces of cloth, cute dresses or tops or pre-used ribbons for fun decor. After the party, she takes everything home (including the clothesline – it’ll come in useful later!).
Recycle everything from the event. Pass on decor items, compost all food scraps and send any leftovers home with guests.
Green Gifts
Most showers involve food and maybe some games, but almost inevitably, the focus is on opening gifts. While everyone loves giving and receiving, especially when it comes to adorable baby items, try to minimize what you buy and opt for green gifts.
Select clothing items without chemicals (which are readily absorbed by a newborn's thin skin). Look for organic cotton, hemp, wool or silk.
The safest toys are made from natural, pesticide-free materials such as untreated wood or the fabrics listed above. Seek out products made locally and, if possible, toys that are handmade.
Give the gift of yourself, such as preparing meals for the family, driving or doing errands for the first month after the baby is at home, or offering to rent a movie and preparing a "parents night in," along with babysitting.
Wrap your gifts in items that are part of the giving, like baby blankets, crib sheets, towels, scarves, or other reusables, rather than throw away paper or plasticized wrapping.
Lastly, encourage everyone to walk, bicycle or carpool to get to the shower.
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter, and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net
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written by erin , August 07, 2009