Skip Blue & Pink – Go Green with Baby Showers

While green is a great color for a baby shower, especially if you do not know the sex of the baby, that’s not what I am referring to when I say ‘go green’. These days being eco-friendly or ‘going green’ as it’s commonly called, is very popular. As you celebrate this new life, throwing an environmentally responsible shower is a great way to do your part to save the environment and influence others to do the same. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant; you can make the shower as simple or elegant as you want. 

The first step is to find an invite to set the mood of the party. For the last green shower I attended, the invitations were made of 100% recycled paper and read “Another branch is expected on our tree.” And the entire shower encompassed that theme. There are plenty of recycled paper options that can be printed with nontoxic dyes. If possible, aim for a postcard-style invitation, to use minimal amounts of paper and no envelopes. Or you can forgo the paper invitations altogether and opt for an email or social network invitation. If you don’t have access to specialty paper, or are looking for a quicker way to get the invitations out to your guests, you can use an online retailer that offers recycled products.  Storkie is an option that I have used with great success.

On the invites, you should mention any registries the mom-to-be has and gift ideas for the new baby. There are plenty of green gift registry options available online. Encourage guests to bring eco-friendly gifts that have been wrapped in sustainable packaging. We found seed-embedded paper that will bloom into flowers when planted. Using a baby blanket or burp cloth is a great way to wrap a gift, without any waste. Or if the expecting parents do not need any baby items, encourage gift certificates to a cloth diaper service, green housecleaning service, or organic food delivery.

Once you have chosen a theme and sent out invites, it’s time to pick out some decorations. Avoid streamers, paper banners, and balloons, as these items will just end up in the trash. Use linen tablecloths and napkins to avoid the disposable waste. Diaper cakes are all the rage these days. We created a large diaper cake made of cloth diapers and other eco-friendly baby toys and bath goodies, and used that as both a table centerpiece and a gift for the expecting mother. Fresh cut flowers or soy candles in repurposed containers are also great decoration ideas to consider.

The time of day in which the shower will take place will determine the type of food served. Morning parties lend themselves to brunch foods, a full meal is ideal for lunch and dinner time showers, while a mid-afternoon or early evening shower time is perfect for appetizers and light fare. For our brunch baby shower, we served homemade waffles made with locally grown organic whole-wheat flour and topped with local honey and berries. Providing the catering yourself is the most environmentally friendly option. But whatever you decide to serve, search for organic, fair-trade, and locally sourced ingredients that are in season. 

Nobody wants a random baby-themed favor that will just end up in the garbage in the end. We used small potted herbs as place cards and favors for shower guests and they were just perfect. The light, herbal aroma filled the pre-party room and guests loved them. If you have a plant that you can take cuttings from would be a beautiful symbol that ties-in perfectly with the new life being grown. But anything fair trade or organic is suitable for a green shower. Organic bath products, chocolates, soy or beeswax candles, or homemade baked goods are all great options that guests will enjoy.

Olivia Nicholas is a writer, blogger and a mom.  She has been writing articles and blogging for over 10 years and is a freelance writer for many wedding related companies.   Her background in event planning gives her a solid foundation from which to draw experience in an array of celebration topics.