Pink, Blue or Green?

How to Throw an Eco-Chic Baby Shower

by EcoMom Kimberly Danek Pinkson

Pregnancy is often the first time many women begin to think about "going green." With baby growing inside, what you eat, wear, and even sleep in takes on a new importance. With the ever-growing availability of green products, it is easier than ever to make choices that are good for you, your baby, and the planet. Whether you are light green, dark green, or just taking your first steps toward integrating organic into your lifestyle-your baby shower is the perfect place to start. Need a little help? EcoMom Alliance founder Kimberly Danek Pinkson offers a few smart tips for your green baby shower:

  1. Set the tone. Let your friends and family know about the green theme right from the beginning. Select an eco-friendly invitation, such as recycled paper and soy ink, or go paperless with an Evite. For invite ideas, check out: www.TasharaeDesigns.com/eco.html, or www.EcoFriendlyInvitations.com.
  2. Think green when you register. Make it easy for guests to shower you with green gifts by registering at eco-friendly baby Web sites. With all the new organic options for mom and baby, you can find something cute, stylish, and earth-friendly. Some favorite retailers: SmithAndHawken.com, Gaiam.com, EarthMamaAngelBaby.com, PurBebe.com, EcoBaby.com.
  3. Put the 'fresh' back into refreshments. With so many new options for organic and locally grown food and drink, it's easier than ever to create an eco-friendly menu. Visit your local farmer's market just before the shower and base your menu on seasonal goodies. If you feel overwhelmed, keep it simple by selecting just a few key organic items, like dairy and berries, which have the highest level of pesticides. Or, call in the professionals by looking for a caterer that specializes in organic food.
  4. Keep it real with your table settings. Cloth linens and real plates and silver ware add a classy touch and don't generate waste. If you need to go the disposable route, use biodegradable items. Smart and Final carries a line of biodegradable tableware made from corn starch. Visit www.EcoProducts.com for more options.
  5. Let Mother Nature do the decorating. Bowls of organic fruit make beautiful and natural centerpieces. Clear glass vases with Manzanita branches tied with pink and blue ribbons make for simple decorations. Small pots with packets of organic seeds tied with re-usable pink and green ribbons make great favors, as do soy candles and small bottles of organic lotions and soaps. Mini pots and packets of seeds can be found at Home Depot or your local nursery.
  6. Go reusable with gift bags and wrapping. Instead of traditional wrapping paper, find a sweet baby blanket to use to wrap your gift. A cute cloth sack makes a great gift bag. Bonus: It can do double duty to store and organize baby items later on.

Finally, and perhaps of greatest importance: Keep it light! For some guests, going green might feel like a big request, so let them ease in slowly. Make it playful by having a Green Goddess prize for the friend with the most eco-friendly gift. Remember-whether you're dark green or light green, the point of your baby shower is to have fun!