greenliving
eco-friendly
They might pass along a favorite book they have read to
their own child or a framed photo of the guest of honor
when she was a baby.
Baby Showers
6. Spread the Word
10 Steps to Sustainable Style
Online party invitations have become more popular,
but if you opt for printed invites, use a decorated 8½
by sheet of post-consumer, recycled paper. It’s
by Helen coronato
not only more economical than package
Congratulations! You or someone you
invitations, it has space for all the
love is expecting, and friends and
green party details; plus, the rest
family are cooking up a baby shower.
of the ready-to-print computer
These entertaining ideas will make it
paper is available for future
possible to celebrate in a green theme
projects.
that honors the mother-to-be, while
cherishing the Earth as a welcoming 7. Gather the Tribe
destination. Give the expectant mom what
other experts cannot: kitchen
1. Set the Sustainable Scene
table wisdom. Pass around a
Choose a location that’s in line with your
journal and ask guests to finish a
intention. An outdoor picnic is a relaxed way to
simple, but poignant statement
enjoy a potluck lunch that comes complete
like, “What I wish most for you
with containers for guests to carry home any leftovers,
is…” or “Looking back, I wish I
reducing food waste. An afternoon tea, where guests bring
would have known…” Along
their favorite cup and saucer, is a fun way to gather and
with reducing, reusing, and recycling, going green is a
eliminates the temptation of disposable plasticware.
spiritual practice.
2. Manage the Menu
8. Make Something Beautiful
Consider the amount of food needed to satisfy guests, banish
Beautifully mark the occasion by creating a one-of-a-kind
excess and make the most of seasonal and organic menu
gift for the baby. Ask friends and family to paint their palm
ingredients. A hearty vegetarian chili and locally baked
and leave a handprint on an oversized plant pot, to be kept
bread is a satisfying, simple lunch that everyone can enjoy;
in the nursery. Gather scraps of fabric and invite attendants
leftovers freeze easily. Focus on one high-quality dish and
to cut out a heart shape, write their name on it and adhere
skip bloated buffets.
it to a pillowcase with fabric glue, for the baby to rest on.
3. Green the Gifts
Don’t worry if the project is perfect, the intention already is.
Ask guests to bring a frozen meal for the expectant parents
9. Do Everyone a Favor
to rely upon during those first few weeks of sleepless nights,
Say farewell with seasonal gifts, like small pumpkins in the
or a gently used “re-gift,” to give only-worn-once clothes
fall or packets of seeds in the spring. Better than any token
and barely touched toys a new home. Also, direct everyone
of appreciation will be the memories that friends and family
to a cloth diapering site, where they can purchase one reus-
take home.
able diaper for the wishing well. Many people want to go
green, but are new to nursery ideas, so be sure to provide 10. Thank-you
the details.
Everyone enjoys receiving a thank-you; make sure yours
4. Wrap It Up
sticks by mailing a photo magnet to guests. Develop pictures
of the party, cut and glue a photo to discarded cardboard
Bring out guests’ competitive spirit by challenging them to
and “laminate” with packing tape, then attach a craft magnet
come up with the most creative and sustainable gift wrap.
to the back. Insert the magnet into an envelope and write,
Bows, ribbons and traditional papers can be traded in for
“You helped make the day picture perfect,” on the inside
receiving blankets, old paper maps or a beautiful new scarf
flap. This personal keepsake helps preserve the memories
for mom. Gift toppers could include pine cones or wooden
and the environment.
teething rings. Reward guests for their bright ideas with a
compact fluorescent light bulb.
Helen Coronato is an author, speaker and
consultant. Her latest book, Eco-Friendly
5. Include the Guests
Families, is packed with concrete advice,
Make sure guests understand the intention of the afternoon useful tips and fun strategies for families
and invite them to be an intimate part of the celebration by who want to go green. Visit
bringing along a personalized memento for the new mom. HelenCoronato.com.
30 Collier / Lee Counties
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