Enviro-birthday! A Recycled savy party!

Not sure what to do for that eco-savy someone's birthday?

Want to go-all-out hard-core on decorations like past parties but feel the weight of the world;s climate on your back?

Waste not a thought more (nor a tree) on this year's decor, the enviro-birthday is here!


My little sister was turning the big "17" this year and we wanted to decorate but we couldn't think of a theme--the luau thing was long since over, she wasn't into flamingos, and the 80's theme was beginning to seem a bit overdone. All of these would require pricey purchases on one-time-use tacky decor at the local party shop (not exactly my favorite hangout place).

Not to mention that none of these things my sister was into. And she would fret at the very thought of these ostentacious paper purchases! So, the perfect option for this young passionate enviromentalist at heart had to be a recycled birthday.

Newspaper Party Hats
Ever wonder when in the world would that stupid newspaper origami sailor hat trick would come in handy? Well you can thank your preschool teacher because it's the perfect recipe for crazy-recycled-hats-gone-wild! After re-living your childhood, take your hat and staple a handful of shredded paper to the top for the hat's party-topper. Viola! Ze hat!

(If you didn't have a priviledged childhood and was neglected the training in paper hats you can find them at: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/columbus/newspaper_sailors_hats.htm)


Swirly Magazine Streamers
This one is yet another preschool lesson finally put to use "in the real world" plus being a great excuse to cut the face of that celebrity you love to hate! Take colorful magazine page or in a crunch, newspaper, and starting at the edge, draw a swirl towards the center of the page waiting to lift your pencil from the page until the end. (it should look like a cinamin roll). Then take out your scissors and cut that baby up! You should have one long swirly-slinky piece of paper. Tape one end to the ceiling and let the other end of the paper slink down to a colorful twisted party dangler or tape the other end to the ceiling for a recycled-remix on the typical streamer. Repeat and enjoy!

To be continued....