Birthday celebrations vary between cultures, traditions, and people. However, birthday parties usually revolve around food, drinks, guests, and of course, gifts!
But all of these have a carbon footprint, some bigger than others. So if you're looking for a way to lower your carbon footprint, think about having a low-waster birthday party. No, you don't need to cancel your birthday plans, there are some tips and tricks that you can use for a low-waste birthday celebration!
Let's get into the tips and tricks for a low-waste birthday celebration that even Mother Nature will love.
Invitations
There are many alternatives to traditional paper invites — going digital! It's a much lower footprint and easy for you to set up. Also, by sending out digital invitations, you don't need to worry about sourcing paper, printing, signing each one, then mailing it. It's a lot of effort and time that you'll save by going the digital invite route.
Many places offer free templates, like Canva or Evite. Then, when you're ready, you can send them on social media, email, or text message.
Cards
Give a VidDay instead. A VidDay is like a traditional greeting card but signed by everyone. It's an eco-friendly alternative to a greeting card. It's simple to use, all you need to do is make an account, and you're on your way! Invite the birthday person's friends and family to submit their video messages.
It's so much more heartfelt and low-waste than a greeting card that will eventually end up in the landfill. But, with a VidDay video, they can keep it forever.
Gifts and Gift Wrapping
Wrapping paper is very wasteful. It's only used one time and leads to deforestation and ends up in landfills. Instead, ask everyone to wrap items in recycled/reusable/compostable materials or with nothing at all.
For a gift, always go for the experience gifts or have everyone chip in on the birthday experience together. For example, ask for a VidDay video gift, or other wonderful experience gifts can include gift cards to their favorite local shop, a coffee date, or tickets to a movie. And of course, consumables make lovely gifts too, like candles, coffee, wine, or plants.
Dinnerware
Paper and plastic plates, bowls, and cutlery open end up at birthday parties because they are convenient. But paper products drive deforestation, causing an array of problems, and single-use plastics end up in landfills for hundreds of years. So use reusable plates, cups, and cutlery for your party.
If you're low on some reusable dinnerware, go to a second-hand shop, grab what they have, and mix and match for a fun flare.
Decorations
Popular party decorations such as balloons and glitter look fun and sparkly, but they can be harmful to the planet. This is because balloons are made from plastics that don't break down easily, and glitters are made from PET, which is the same plastic that water bottles are made from.
Try to keep your decorations to a minimum, or use products you'd find outside, like branches, pinecones, and leaves. Keep a more organic approach when decorating.
Games and Entertainment
Are you looking for fun games and entertainment for a low-waste birthday party? Think about games that require nothing that needs to be thrown away, such as charades, board games, and you could even rent a karaoke machine if you want to spice it up.
Focus on togetherness, especially if you're not one for playing games. Sometimes all you need is friends, family, good conversation, and good food.
Create a Memorable Low Waste Birthday Gift
Birthdays are always a time for celebration! Birthdays are a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate. It's a time to get together and enjoy some birthday cake, good food, and of course, a group birthday video gift. It’s the best kind of eco-friendly gift.
Bring some joy and perhaps a few tears of happiness to the low-waste birthday party with a meaningful video gift. The best way to say Happy Birthday is eco-friendly, like a video gift. Gather together sincere birthday wishes from friends and family in a group video gift. Need a little help with birthday wishes — check out our birthday wishes generator for some inspiration. Why are group birthday videos such a great eco-friendly birthday gift?
“Was perfect to have our remote friends and family send birthday greetings to my sister. She was very surprised and loved this personalized gift.” — Sharon Comstock
Great question! With our eco-friendly birthday video maker, you can collect messages from loved ones, friends, family, colleagues all in one surprise birthday video. This means that there is no waste, packing, or materials needed to create a birthday gift. So whether you’re celebrating from a distance or nearby, the present is easy to send with no fuel required. Learn more about creating your birthday video with our handy birthday video guide.
Celebrate better together by saying Happy Birthday with a group VidDay video gift. Start one today.