We had a big party for my brother this weekend. My sister printed the invitations. My mom handled the guest list. His wife’s best friend took care of the venue. I volunteered to make party favors. I am not really that crafty, so I knew I had to buy something. (There went my month of buying little or nothing.)
I didn’t want to give things so I went with something edible. Candy, I thought. Everyone likes candy. I hit the store and bought 20 bags of candy. Every bag was — what else? — made out of plastic. Sigh. Then I had to figure out how to package it up so people could take it home. I went to AC Moore armed with my 40% off coupon. I looked at white take-out containers. I looked at mesh bags. I looked at little white boxes. The take-out boxes and white boxes were $1.49 for four. I had to make 28 favors. Expensive. The mesh bags were $4.95 per dozen. That might work. But then I realized the candy would be able to fall through the little holes. I looked at the last option and realized my choice was staring me right in the face. The plastic bags, which were $1.95 for 30, were the best choice. Reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, I purchased the plastic. That night everyone ooohed and aahhed over the favors, opening them up at the table and munching on their booty. Despite the success, I was still less-than-thrilled about my choice.
This coming June is Little Girl’s second birthday party. Again I will be faced with the favor dilemma. What will I get for all those kids that’s not disposable, plastic, or stupid? Books come to mind. Maybe cookies wrapped in some sort of recyclable paper? (It’s not like I can give babies candy.) I have no idea. But I do know that — at least for the rest of April — I will be sticking to my resolve and not buying anything to make up for the large wasteful plastic purchase I made this weekend. I know that must sound crazy to some but I just feel so strongly about plastic bags in particular that I feel like I let myself down.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. I have no voice today. None since leaving the party yesterday. I have a cold and a cough and, based on past illnesses, I’m just going to have to ride this out. Anyone have any get-my-voice-back-quick suggestions?
I know what you mean. Paper bags work well, especially if you can find cute little white ones. Or you can use brown lunch bags and decorate them.
Hi, I just stumbled across your blog and have been really enjoying reading it. My DH and I struggled with this same issue the last few b-day parties for our girls. Instead of bags of crappy plastic toys, I made homemade, healthy cookies and used brown paper cookie bags. Everyone loves homemade treats and I felt better about the environmental aspect. Also, it wasn’t a big deal to whip up a big batch of cookies when I already was making birthday cake, so it wasn’t that much more work.
I love edible stuff! Love it! My little one’s b-day is coming up and we are going to give jars of cookie mix, I think. Something fun for everyone to do together.