If you’re part of a family that likes to host birthday parties, it can be surprising to see how much single-use plastic and garbage come from our celebrations. Fortunately, there are a few eco-friendly tweaks we can make to our birthday traditions that can ease the burden on the environment – and on our wallets. A green party is a great way to celebrate our children of all ages while caring for our planet.
1. Think of Green Themes
Hosting a party with a green theme can be great for us Islanders because we are so lucky to have the beauty of nature right at our doorsteps. Host at your favourite neighbourhood park, do a nature scavenger hunt or throw the party in your back yard. Consider setting up a gardening station where the kids plant their own seeds (this can make a great environmentally friendly take-home favour, too!). For indoor parties, booking at a recreation centre or fun activity business makes a great choice because they often provide low waste activities—like using gymnasium equipment, escape rooms, laser tag or karaoke machines. If you’re hosting an indoor party in your home, you can play board games, host a movie night or have a mini spa day. These can be low-waste, high-fun options!
2. Use Reusable Decorations
When you’re in charge of decorations, think about what you can use that won’t be discarded after the party. So much of what we see online includes elaborate balloon arches and flimsy decorations that are so specific to a theme or character that kids are likely to outgrow by next year. To combat this, opt for secondhand decorations from friends, thrift stores or online marketplaces! If buying new, consider purchasing sturdy materials that can withstand being folded up and stored—like fabric birthday banners without specific characters. For those who enjoy crafting, making party decorations is a wonderful way to utilize material scraps and add a personal touch to the party.
3. Ditch the Disposable Items
Disposable cutlery and plates often end up in a huge garbage bag at the end of a party. A great way to reduce waste is to get reusable serving items. If you’re able to stock up at the thrift store or discount store, there can be an incredible trove of serving dishes, plates, cups and more, that can be purchased at a low cost and used for years to come. If convenience is of top importance, compostable plates and cutlery are an excellent way to make clean-up quick, without sacrificing the environment.
4. Give Out Greener Goodie Bags
Goodie bags have long been a cherished birthday party tradition. Unfortunately, many goodie bags include an abundance of plastic toys that don’t provide much play value. While it’s important to show gratitude at the end of the party, this is a great opportunity to make our party traditions more environmentally friendly. It helps to think of quality over quantity—there’s no rule against giving one or two more practical or longer-lasting items to each guest instead of a bag full of fun-for-a-moment “stuff.” While the best options will depend on the age group and budget, a keychain, wooden puzzle or a package of garden seeds all make for greener party favours.
5. Rethink Presents
Finding environmentally friendly gifts can also be challenging. Kids are so excited to receive presents but presents often come with an abundance of waste. Many toys are made of, packaged in and gift-wrapped in plastic or other materials that are hard to recycle or reuse. Not to mention you then have a stack of toys to clutter up your home. When sending invitations, consider requesting $5 (or another amount you deem appropriate) for your child to put towards purchasing a gift they really want, or to contribute to a charity of their choice.
Whether tackling just one of these green birthday party tips, or mastering all of them, every eco-friendly improvement makes an impact. Party ideas are often contagious—so any green changes you make will hopefully catch on quickly with other families. Simple steps can build momentum that leads to many positive changes and continued sustainable celebrations!
