Your Very Own Green Birthday
Surely, by now you’re recycling regularly and grocery shopping with an eco-friendly tote in hand, so it only makes sense that your birthday gets the same environmentally conscious treatment.
The Invite
Browse Etsy.com for a variety of stationery, like greetings made from 100% recycled card stock by the Nifty Pear, or plant-able cards (that contain wildflower seeds) from Grace Graphics. Tip: Search on the keyword “ecoetsy” to find more sellers who are dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling in their products.
The Décor
Create a centrepiece with organic and fair-trade flowers from Eco Flora. Set the table with napkins made of hemp and cotton from Branch and bamboo placemats from Linens ‘n Things. Sound smart: Bamboo is actually a type of grass and is fast-growing and renewable, making it an ideal material for everything from fabric to flooring.
The Menu
President Choice’s PC Organics line offers cannelloni, cookies, and other good stuff that the company says are made with “holistic agricultural practices.” Or get your apron on and whip up something healthy by searching on the word “organic” at foodnetwork.ca. Sound smart: The meaning of the term “organic” in reference to food means no pesticides or additives were used in its production.
For dessert, sip coffee from Canadian fair-trade roaster Just Us!, while nibbling organic, hand-dipped truffles from the Kakayo Chocolate Company. Sound smart: Fair trade cuts out the middlemen and allows producers who might otherwise be exploited to receive a fairer price for their goods.
Party Favours
Aside from the planet-saving pat on the back guests will be giving themselves after eating organic chocolate, give them a little something to take home, like Herbal Lip Elixir from Pharmacopia’s line of natural body care. Or browse Ebay for vintage costume jewellery that can be given new life on a stylish friend.
What to Wish For…
Don’t get so caught up in helping the environment that you forget to ask for some gifts.
Your bookshelf: Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada by Adria Vasil includes the best green products and services (available at amazon.ca).
Your beauty bag: FutureNatural.com is the organic version of an online beauty department store. Among other eco-friendly practices, the company uses only recycled packaging supplies and the product lines featured here give the scoop on their manufacturing processes.
Or browse though Sephora.com’s “Natural & Organic” product category, which includes everything from Stella McCartney’s Care line to Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Moisturizer.
Your closet: Heartonyoursleeve.ca’s collection of sustainable style, which includes clothing and bags, or Oqoqo’s line of organic clothing (created by Lululemon).
Your karma: Because it can’t be about you all the time. Ask for a gift card from Canadahelps.org to spend on the charity of your choice.
By: Christine Walewski