It's a GREEN birthday party from Chrissy

Here are some good ideas from Chrissy to have an eco-friendly birthday party.

Fortunately and unfortunately we all get older and who doesn’t love a creative birthday party. Kids and some adults can’t wait for their big day. Often, lots of thought goes into the grand celebration but birthday parties can also mean tons of waste and garbage. Teaching our kids and ourselves to have a eco-friendly celebrations is a perfect present to our earth.

Start by emailing your invitation or if you prefer a handwritten note using paper items out of your recycling bin. This takes some time and creativity but a handmade card always makes a thoughtful impression. Collage a card or make a postcard out of used greeting cards.

On to the Oh so important decorations, paper decorations store bought or homemade are the most “green” option. Kids can make paper garland using newspaper, magazines or old wrapping paper. Balloons do not support our environmental friendly statement but some just can’t do without (like my paper towel addiction). Remember being “green” is a process and sometimes it takes time to break some “unearthfriendly” practices. (I think I have developed a new word).

Setting the birthday table is another way to make some earth conscience changes. Using cloth napkins and a table cloth is a good place to start. It’s also cost effective, to use your own plates and silverware instead of buying plastic and paper. If doing dishes is not part of you agenda there are biodegradable or 100% recycled plate and plastic ware but it will cost you. Personally, a mix of all your cloth and mismatched tableware creates a more welcoming party.

When a child participates in making the decorations and helping to set the table the party instantly becomes more meaningful. Being “green” takes some extra time but in the end it’s worth it personally and environmentally. Try these changes and then we will take the next step together, let me know how it’s going at Chrissyc1@cox.net

fun and healthy snack

My grandson,Colton, called me yesterday and said "grammie, i'm eating ants on a log". i said "what!" He said,"oh yeah, and it taste so good". So of course i asked,"tell me what you are eating please". "ok" he said, "i get a stick of celery and put peanut butter on it and put raisins on top of the peanut butter!!". "Ants on a log". I said,"that's a great snack", careful to avoid the word healthy."But i don't have any raisins right now,do you think cranberries would be ok?" "WOW", he said ,"red ants on a log , how really cool grammie".

Sure you have some healthy snacks to share with us...send them in.

GRAMMIE