How to Host a Green Baby Shower

Hosting a baby shower is a great honor and what better way to help welcome a new life to our planet than with an eco-friendly shower? It's easy and fun to plan a shower that pleases not only the mom-to-be but also Mother Earth. Here's how:

Start from the beginning. The invitation is the first thing people see and it really helps set the tone for the shower to come. A great way idea is printing your invitations on recycled paper. Most stationary stores carry something that will fit the bill and you can save money by printing them yourself.

Tip them off. On each invitation include an easy to follow tip on how your guest can help the earth in their own home.

Favors. Flower seeds make a great favor for an Eco-friendly shower. Attach a note asking each guest to plant the seeds in honor of the new arrival.

Centerpieces. Consider small tree's as a centerpiece for each table. Play a game to decide on each table's winner and ask them to plant the tree at their own homes.

Get the guests into the act. Instead of recipes as is done at many showers ask guests to complete cards with earth friendly baby tips for the mom-to-be. Personal stories to go along with them are a plus!

Keep it local. For snacks serve locally grown produce that can be kept at room temperature.

Keep it real. Serve your snacks and beverages on real plates and use real glassware. It may take more effort to clean up after but the environment will thank you for not using paper products.

It's a wrap. Ask guests to keep with the theme and find alternatives to wrapping paper. Consider baby blankets, cloth diapers, burp clothes, etc when wrapping gifts.

Sign in. Instead of a guest book have everyone sign and organic cotton onesie. It will be memorable keepsake she'll cherish long after the shower.

Decorations. Instead of disposable party themed items use things mom can use. A great idea is a clothesline strung with adorable baby clothing. After the party she can take it home to use on her little one.

Follow these tips and you will give the guest of honor a truly memorable shower and make the earth a better place. And what is more fitting for a party honoring a new baby?