20. The Eco-Friendly Baby Shower
Who doesn’t want to celebrate the coming of a baby? The idea of a newborn and purity remind us of the miracle of nature. And what better way to be thankful for the things nature has given to us than throwing an eco-friendly baby shower? But how do you do that? Unfortunately, there are a lot of things you throw away after that, and you end up wasting a lot of money…
If you are about to throw a baby shower for your friend and you want to be eco-friendly, then you came to the right place! Throwing eco-friendly baby showers and using sustainably sourced materials is a movement which is gaining traction. Even stars like Kylie Jenner and Gwenyth Paltrow have been noted to be stewards in the eco-friendly baby movement.
If you are hosting a baby shower, then start making that list, because we have a ton of tips that will help you with everything you need. You can save a lot of money and celebrate the baby more naturally. Let’s start planning! First, we need the invitations…
19. Skip Paper Invitations
You will need some invitations to inform the guests, but you can totally use the e-invitations from different sites. What’s best about it is that you won’t use paper, and you also receive quicker RSVPs from the guests. This way, you will also save some time for other things like gathering some potted plants – check them out at #13.
18. Reuse Paper
If you want the traditional invitations, you can create your own invitations and write with plant-based inks. There are also papers made from coconut fibers or banana leaves or seed papers guests can then plant and see wildflowers growing! As for delivering, you can do it by yourself to save the transport costs and emissions. Go for walks or take the bike to deliver the invites.
17. A Green Registry
Talk with the future mommy and encourage her that there are many earth-friendly baby items she can register for. There are non-toxic shampoos, BPA free baby bottles, eco-friendly toys and even these cloth diapers at #2 that are amazing. This way, the guests will also buy green and eco-friendly gifts that complete the theme of the baby shower.
16. Local Retailers
Many local or online retailers sell earth-friendly baby items. Talk with the future mommy and ask her if she is comfortable with barely used items from second-hand stores – like furniture or baby strollers. Now let’s see how we can leave the wrapping and replace it with interesting alternatives.
15. Forget About the Wrappings
We all know that gift wraps, bags and greeting cards will end up in the trash, creating a big waste. The best idea is to tell guests to bring their gifts unwrapped. You can also tell them to wrap gifts in baby blankets, sheets or reusable shopping bags. Here are some creative ways of wrapping gifts…
14. Ribbon and Bouquets
Use some twine or a ribbon to wrap baby clothes. The mommy-to-be will be very happy to see the room decorated with baby clothes, clothes pins, and bouquets made from baby clothes. The green baby shower décor cannot be complete without these key decorations.
13. Pots of Plants
There’s nothing greener that a bunch of plants filling a spot in the room – the centerpiece where guests can come and serve some snacks. Plus, the best thing about flowers is that if you get small pots, they’re perfect as prizes for baby shower games. Go for pots with mini roses that come in various colors!
12. Don’t Bring Greeting Cards
Prepare some cute gift tags from recycled wrapping paper or whatever you want and provide them as an alternative to the greeting cards that would come with the gifts. You both control paper waste and cut down on the unwrapping time, letting the future mom spend those moments with the guests.
11. Organic Food
The best baby shower has to come with some yummy food. Make healthy decisions when it comes to this event and serve fruit, nuts, coffee, tea, and even chocolate – all organic and made with fair trade ingredients. Here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect food for the green baby shower…
10. The Local Farmer’s Market
A great way to start with the menu is to go to the local farmer’s market and buy food that was produced in the community. Make lemonades or buy drinks made with natural sweeteners and organic ingredients. Your choices will not only be healthy and better for the environment, but it will also help the local economy!
9. Mini-foods
The best food you can offer should come in bite-sizes. Add some hummus on roasted pepper, make pita chips, make veggie platters and add mini-quiches or mini-frittatas. As for the dishes, use real plates and cutlery and avoid disposable dishes or cups. Here’s why disposable is a bad idea not only for the environment…
8. The Buffet
Create a buffet with anything you have. Use your own silverware, cloth napkins, dishes, glasses and bowls and if you don’t have enough, don’t be afraid to borrow from your friends or family. Who cares the plates don’t match when the food is excellent? Plus, the variety will make for an adorable buffet!
7. Think Sustainable
Celebrate the coming of a newborn in eco style with reusable décor. Forget about plastic tablecloths. Use real linens as they look stylish and sophisticated. Plus, they’re easily reusable for the next parties!
Also, remember that there are no rules on how a baby shower is “supposed” to look…
6. Kylie Jenner’s Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
Even Kylie Jenner has jumped on the sustainability band wagon by purchasing only eco-friendly items for her baby Stormi’s nursery. Everything from the crib to the sheets to the diapers are 100% eco-friendly and made of environmentally sustainable materials.
6. Be Creative
Let go of all those notions that a baby shower must be like this or like that. Let go of those expectations and throw a memorable baby shower for the mom-to-be, while also going for an earth-friendly approach. Add a garland-style guestbook for the mom to keep as a memory.
5. Cleaning Up before and After
The location must be clean and fresh before and after the party. Use baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice to clean the surfaces and ditch the detergents and other chemicals. Don’t burn wax candles to freshen the air – the lemon juice should smell fresh enough!
4. Gift Ideas
A green baby shower isn’t complete without the gifts, right? No matter how small or big they are, you’ll be able to help guests find some green items for the baby and the mom. Here are some shopping tips you can try and share with the mom.
3. How Many Things Does a Baby Need?
We all know that a baby grows pretty fast and there aren’t many things you need – most of them end up unwrapped. But a gift is a gift, so let’s make the best of it. The most important thing – when it comes to clothes – in a baby’s and mother’s life are nappies! And we’re talking about modern cloth nappies.
2. Cloth Nappies
There are modern cloth diapers that are perfect for the environment and those baby bums. They are indeed a little expensive, but if you get them as gifts, it will help the mom a lot!
Another important item is the stroller – and you can easily find one made with recycled materials.
1. Linens and Spa Packages
The baby will also need linens and layette made from a friendly material like organic cotton, bamboo, wool or hemp. And let’s not forget about the exhausted parents! They both need a spa package to relax – give them gift cards for massages or spa, and they will absolutely adore you!