Instant Eco-Friendly Birthday Party Decor from Paper and Cake

Since my youngest son Alex is going to be turning one in only a month, I decided it was time to start thinking and planning on a birthday party for him. Since I am all about natural living, I thought Id share some tips on planning a eco friendly birthday for moms out there.You want to throw an impressive, and eco, first birthday party, but you don’t have time to design the decorations to pull it off. 


So what? I found a cool new way to take the easy (and smart) way out. Pick a theme and print off a complete party collection from Paper and Cake on recycled paper. The theme, modern design and list of what you need is already laid out for you so all you need to do is print, cut, and do a few simple crafts.

Even if you have no idea where to begin, you’ll find plenty of inspiration at Paper and Cakes. Each printable party collection includes everything from the invitation to party hats and everything in between including a front door sign, place mats, cupcake wrappers, favor tags, and thank you notes. Designs are appropriate for first birthdays and beyond. How brilliant? I have to thank Paper and Cakes for making party planning easier.


Another great company I found was ACME Party Box! They are amazing and have such cute decorations.Acme Party Box Company offers the most gorgeous party-in-a-box ideas you’ve ever seen including some amazing all-in-one birthday party solutions that are convenient and affordable for throwing pint-sized parties of eight. Best of all — Acme Party Box goodies are selected for their design sensibility and eco-responsibility. The company sources reusable, recyclable, and sustainable products whenever possible, they work with local artisans and craftspeople and all products are ethically produced. After the party is over, you’ll want to wash and save these amazing keepsake quality supplies to use again and again, and items that aren’t save-worthy can be composted or recycled. Keep reading to see the amazing kid-friendly party sets offered by Acme Party Box Company.


Here are my 7 tips to planning a green birthday party for babies and kids.

1. SEND OUT GREEN INVITATIONS

Go virtual when it comes to sending out invitations to your baby’s 1st birthday bash. Paperless Post is an online stationer which offers colorful and adorable designs created especially for kids. Cards may be designed, customized and personalized, and look like they came from a bespoke letterpress. Paperless Post‘s custom cards are delivered in personalized envelopes to recipients’ inboxes and the senders are able to track and manage their invitations receipt and guests’ responses. Now, no one has an excuse not to RSVP, and no trees need to be harmed by sending snail mail back and forth.

2. ASK FOR 529 DONATIONS IN LIEU OF GIFTS

In lieu of having guests bring physical gifts for your baby (which typically come wrapped in oodles of cute, albeit wasteful wrapping paper!), ask them to donate to your child’s 529 college savings plan. In 20 years, your kid won’t remember that ring stacker… but he’ll be thrilled with the gift of a college education. My aunt also had people donate to the NICU since her son spent the first few days of his life in the NICU. Be creative with it.

3. MAKE A HOMEMADE CAKE AND HOMEMADE PARTY FOOD

Make your baby’s special first birthday cake from scratch using organic, locally grown ingredients that are in season. Make the cake even more precious by going berry picking as a family at a local farm, and use the berries to decorate the top! Buy party food snacks in bulk to cut down on packaging, or make special treats yourself!

4. START TRADITIONS WITH REUSABLE DECOR

Paper streamers and pointy disposable party hats are decidedly passe’. Reusable decorations and birthday crowns will be cherished mainstays at every eco celebration during your child’s youth. Start the traditions with Jr.’s first birthday party. Place a sweet felt party crown on his regal noggin, drape a cloth Happy Birthday banner across the venue, and get creative making your own decorations and centerpieces from household items including baby photos and favorite toys.

5. HOST A GENTLY USED BOOK EXCHANGE IN PLACE OF PARTY FAVORS

Plastic party favor trinkets no longer get the last word! Ask each guest to bring a gently used baby book that they would like to trade-in for a ‘new’ one in a book exchange. Guests can place their book in a basket on the way in, and pick a new one when they leave the party.

6. GREEN THE PARTY ACTIVITIES

Give the poor donkey a break by leaving his tail on… and don’t bash him with a bat either! One year olds certainly aren’t ready to be spun around with a blindfold to pin a tail on a donkey, or to hit a pinata that rains candy! Instead of planting one on a candy bearing beast, plant miniature gardens. Babies will enjoy the tactile experience of digging and planting in the soil, and guests will have a blossoming keepsake to take on their way. Older sibling attendees and parents can plant herb gardens for their baby if the bambinos are too busy eating cake.

7. GIVE REUSABLE PLATES AND UTENSILS ‘TO-GO’ INSTEAD OF USING DISPOSABLES

If possible, serve birthday cake and party food on reusable dishes with stainless steel utensils instead of opting for wasteful, one-use paper plates. If you aren’t in the position to bust out your china, give guests reusable plates and utensils that they can take home and use again long after the candle has been blown out. Dandelion serves up great tableware for tots: child-sized plates, bowls, sippy cups and utensils made from eco-friendly Corn PLA.
Do you have any great green birthday party tips you’d like to share? Please leave a comment below!