"Green" Shower

annamarymoon

Has anyone been to or is having a "green" shower? I would prefer that the gifts not be wrapped in wrapping paper, but something more eco-friendly...  How would that be indicated on the invitation?

Any other ideas for a "green" shower?

northtamarack

A green shower is a great idea.  I have been to two types of "green" showers.  One type has insisted on guests giving second-hand gifts, wrapping in paper alternatives, etc.  The other type is that the host did all of the "greening".  By this I mean that the food was bought locally, they sent out invites on 100 percent recycled paper, no favors, food is composted, host organized carpool (where appropriate).  I personally, appreciate the later.  Because it comes through in the theme and invites, I think that it is a more welcoming, nicer way of expressing your wishes.   I really dislike demands that are on invites - doesn't matter if it is book instead of a card, diapers in a certain size, cloth instead of paper, etc, etc as I think it is really rude to demand what gifts are to be given.   

GL in helping plan your shower.  I hope that you have a great, green event. 

annamarymoon

Thanks for the ideas.. those are great.  I like the host doing all the "greening."  I also dislike when people demand things on invitations, I am just afraid that my family is so traditional they won't get it.

northtamarack

annamarymoon:

Thanks for the ideas.. those are great.  I like the host doing all the "greening."  I also dislike when people demand things on invitations, I am just afraid that my family is so traditional they won't get it.

Ugh, that is hard when people don't get it.  I still maintain not to force them to buy secondhand gifts, wrap in non-paper materials.  Sometimes it just takes several exposures for people to "get it" and become comfortable doing it.  So even if they don't do it for your shower, you are still educating them on other options that are out there. 

annamarymoon

northtamarack:

annamarymoon:

Thanks for the ideas.. those are great.  I like the host doing all the "greening."  I also dislike when people demand things on invitations, I am just afraid that my family is so traditional they won't get it.

Ugh, that is hard when people don't get it.  I still maintain not to force them to buy secondhand gifts, wrap in non-paper materials.  Sometimes it just takes several exposures for people to "get it" and become comfortable doing it.  So even if they don't do it for your shower, you are still educating them on other options that are out there. 

 

Very true!!

TulipsAndChampagne

I am not really a "green" person per se. I do buy local/organic and recycle, but I would have no clue how to wrap a gift "green". Are you supposed to go buy fabric or something?

K.a.T.e

Scroll through this board, lots of previously suggestions.Most green books that I read have great suggestions too. 

https://greenbabyguide.com/2008/05/23/throw-a-simple-green-baby-shower/

https://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/green-baby-shower-44091108

 

Green shower should be the theme but the guidelines not dictated.  Things like wrapping paper (its more green to not use it at all) can be shared through personal communication rather than a note on the shower invite (which should be electronic!).  I'd also recommend registering for green products - I'm totally in the know about green stuff but most of my shower guests would be stumped.  Amazon has a great line selection of "green" baby things and you can also find things at mainstream places like Target.

K.a.T.e

TulipsAndChampagne:

I am not really a "green" person per se. I do buy local/organic and recycle, but I would have no clue how to wrap a gift "green". Are you supposed to go buy fabric or something?

--Don't wrap it at all! 

--wrap small items in a baby blanket. 

--repurpose the gift as the presentation - put a few items in a baby tub - no wrapping paper but use a pretty bow.  

--Or use a gift bag (non-baby would be helpful) so that the gift giver can re-use the item

I gave Seventh Generation baby products (wipes, laundry soap, etc) as my last shower gift and I "wrapped" them in a re-useable grocery bag. 

TulipsAndChampagne

K.a.T.e:

TulipsAndChampagne:

I am not really a "green" person per se. I do buy local/organic and recycle, but I would have no clue how to wrap a gift "green". Are you supposed to go buy fabric or something?

--Don't wrap it at all! 

--wrap small items in a baby blanket. 

--repurpose the gift as the presentation - put a few items in a baby tub - no wrapping paper but use a pretty bow.  

--Or use a gift bag (non-baby would be helpful) so that the gift giver can re-use the item

I gave Seventh Generation baby products (wipes, laundry soap, etc) as my last shower gift and I "wrapped" them in a re-useable grocery bag. 

oooh...that is smart. I like it.

annamarymoon

K.a.T.e:

Scroll through this board, lots of previously suggestions.Most green books that I read have great suggestions too. 

https://greenbabyguide.com/2008/05/23/throw-a-simple-green-baby-shower/

https://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/green-baby-shower-44091108

 

Green shower should be the theme but the guidelines not dictated.  Things like wrapping paper (its more green to not use it at all) can be shared through personal communication rather than a note on the shower invite (which should be electronic!).  I'd also recommend registering for green products - I'm totally in the know about green stuff but most of my shower guests would be stumped.  Amazon has a great line selection of "green" baby things and you can also find things at mainstream places like Target.

 

Great ideas and links!  Thanks!

HBaylies

Thanks for posting this!  I've loved reading people's responses.  I've already asked my family that purchased or plans to purchase larger items like the pack and play, high chair, travel system... to kindly assemble it and just stick a big bow on it for the shower.  I told them I thought it would  make a beautiful display and make it easy to pack things on to being home.  Those reasons are true, but I was also trying to eliminate wrapping paper.

ToBeFrank

northtamarack:

The other type is that the host did all of the "greening".  By this I mean that the food was bought locally, they sent out invites on 100 percent recycled paper, no favors, food is composted, host organized carpool (where appropriate).  I personally, appreciate the later.  Because it comes through in the theme and invites, I think that it is a more welcoming, nicer way of expressing your wishes.   I really dislike demands that are on invites - doesn't matter if it is book instead of a card, diapers in a certain size, cloth instead of paper, etc, etc as I think it is really rude to demand what gifts are to be given.   

I like the idea of the host doing all the "greening" if you want to have a green shower.

If I got an invite with all these demands I'd be put off and annoyed. I probably wouldn't get you anything as my contribution to being green and not wasteful. And if you sent a paper invite I'd recycle it by using it as part of the paper my dogs pee on.

Yes I am being ridiculous because I am hormonal right now but at the same time I am very serious. If you are going to be all "only buy organic or second hand, don't use wrapping paper, don't drive to the shower please walk, please don't expect to use eating utensils" then don't even have a shower.