It seems like almost every month we have some holiday or special occasion to celebrate and this normally means buying a gift, wrapping it and creating more unneeded trash and in most cases unneeded gifts. Please take the time to help your children understand how giving gifts does not always mean buying and wrapping something.

You can teach them that making gifts can be fun and just as meaningful as a store bought gift. You can incorporate an eco-lesson by making the gifts from "reusable" things you have around your home Vs buying new and then by wrapping in plain brown paper bags and hand decorating the paper vs. decorated wrapping paper.

A few additional tips are to look for organic treats for parties whenever possible, try to avoid balloons as most are not recyclable and give out party favors in reusable bags instead of plastic or paper. You have an opportunity to lead by example, so please set a good example this year by going green on the party scene.

by Gary Hillery
The Green Path Company
www.thegreenpathcompany.com