3. Green the Gifts Pass around a journal and ask guests
Ask guests to bring a frozen meal for
to finish a simple, but poignant state-
the expectant parents to rely upon
ment like, “What I wish most for you
during those first few weeks of sleep-
is…” or “Looking back, I wish I would
less nights, or a gently used “re-gift,”
have known…” Along with reducing,
to give only-worn-once clothes and
reusing, and recycling, going green is a
barely touched toys a new home. Also,
spiritual practice.
direct everyone to a cloth diapering
site, where they can purchase one reus- 8. Make Something
able diaper for the wishing well. Many
Beautiful
people want to go green, but are new to
Beautifully mark the occasion by
nursery ideas, so be sure to provide the
creating a one-of-a-kind gift for the
details.
baby. Ask friends and family to paint
their palm and leave a handprint on
4. Wrap It Up
an oversized plant pot, to be kept in
Bring out guests’ competitive spirit by the nursery. Gather scraps of fabric
challenging them to come up with the and invite attendants to cut out a heart
most creative and sustainable gift wrap. shape, write their name on it and ad-
Bows, ribbons and traditional papers here it to a pillowcase with fabric glue,
can be traded in for receiving blankets, for the baby to rest on. Don’t worry
old paper maps or a beautiful new scarf if the project is perfect, the intention
for mom. Gift toppers could include already is.
pine cones or wooden teething rings.
Reward guests for their bright ideas
9. Do Everyone a Favor
with a compact fluorescent light bulb.
Say farewell with seasonal gifts, like
small pumpkins in the fall or packets
5. Include the Guests
of seeds in the spring. Better than
Make sure guests understand the inten- any token of appreciation will be
tion of the afternoon and invite them to the memories that friends and family
be an intimate part of the celebration by take home.
bringing along a personalized memento
for the new mom. They might pass
10. Thank-you
along a favorite book they have read to
Everyone enjoys receiving a thank-you;
their own child or a framed photo of the
make sure yours sticks by mailing a
guest of honor when she was a baby.
photo magnet to guests. Develop pic-
tures of the party, cut and glue a photo
6. Spread the Word
to discarded cardboard and “laminate”
Online party invitations have become with packing tape, then attach a craft
more popular, but magnet to the back. Insert the mag-
if you opt for printed invites, use a net into an envelope and write, “You
decorated 8½ by 11 sheet of post- helped make the day picture perfect,”
consumer, recycled paper. It’s not on the inside flap. This personal keep-
only more economical than packaged sake helps preserve the memories and
invitations, it has space for all the green the environment.
party details; plus, the rest of the ready-
to-print computer paper is available for Helen Coronato is an author, speaker
future projects. and consultant. Her latest book,
Eco-Friendly Families, is packed
7. Gather the Tribe
with concrete advice, useful tips and
Give the expectant mom what other
fun strategies for families who want to
experts cannot: kitchen table wisdom.
go green. Visit HelenCoronato.com.

May 2009
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