No matter how hard you may try to keep cheap plastic junk out of your house and toy boxes it often still manages to sneak in. In this age of mass produced, cheap and disposable objects, the value of goods is often not considered.

Shops sell packs of little plastic trinkets very cheap. You can buy 6 low quality toy cars for the price of one quality metal car for example. Great you might think! More stuff and if one breaks there is always 5 others. But that 1 strong metal car will more than likely outlast the 6 cheap low quality cars. Where do the cheap cars end up? They are unlikely to be recycled, unlikely to be bought by someone else and reused, most likely to be thrown out with the garbage and end up languishing in landfill with all the other millions of low quality, disposable, broken toys.

 Not only are these toys often a waste of money but there are other more serious problems that are associated with low quality and synthetic goods.  There are serious health risks associated with them.  Many of us are very lucky to be blessed with more than one child.  This younger child more often than not plays with the same toys as the older sibling.  Depending on the developmental age of the child, he or she will play with the toys completely differently.  Sucking, chewing, biting and throwing these toys could have very dangerous consequences.  From choking on small parts that may break off, to contamination from lead or other toxic chemicals found in paint and decorations.  

Increasingly talked about in the media are the risks of chemical ingestion from the actual compounds that make up plastic toys.  Chemicals that are involved in the plastic process such as Phthalates that make plastic bendable are a very hot topic because of the possible health hazards associated.  The chemicals have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, allergies and asthma.

To read more about this issue, one informative site is  www.environmentcalifornia.org/environmental-health/stop-toxic-toys/chemicals-in-baby-products

But one of the biggest issues associated with the cheap & disposable lifestyle is featured in this 20 minute animated clip that EVERYBODY should watch.  As consumers we need to be aware of the true costs of our purchasing habits. Only then can we really appreciate the value of the products that we own. 

www.storyofstuff.com

This is one of the trickiest parts of the party planning.  You want something fun that the kids will enjoy playing with, something inexpensive, something that won’t break easily and something that is non toxic (to your child and the environment).  Hmmm, where to start?

We have found a few really cool companies that produce quality products for inspiring and entertaining kids.  Our wooden toy range made by Maple Landmark in the US, uses  sustainably managed hardwood and child safe paints and finishes. The goodies include yo-yos, spinning tops, rattles, fairy wands, cars to make and decorate and cars to play with.  

If it is pencils you are after, then look no further.  We stock a great supply of top quality O’Bon recycled newspaper pencils.  There is the Wildlife Twin Sets (pictured)or the 10 packs of Wildlife, Rainbow or Fruit series that can be divided up for 10 party favours.

O’Bon also produces A6 sized notebooks made from sugarcane pulp (called bagasse).  Completely tree free and sustainably made.  The left over waste from the sugarcane plant after juice extraction, is used to make the paper!

And what about babies?  

Organic cotton is a great fabric to use for babies toys.  It is completely safe to chew on with no pesticide or chemical residue and lovely and soft to hold.  We are happy to offer some of Under The Nile’s range of fair trade and certified organic cotton toys.  These are 100% organic cotton, inside and out. 

Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more …

contact@missgreenpartyqueen.com

Prices for party favours

Earth yo-yo        $37        Spinning Tops        $14              

Plain yo-yo        $34         Rattle (3 styles)     $65

Wand (colour)     $28        Car (6 styles)         $35

Wand (plain)       $21        Pencil Twinsets      $12

Gnome pairs       $89

We have found  some lovely princess and fairy themed remnant fabric this month.  Please check out our current selection. 

If there is anything you like here or in our older stock (also pictured below) please email us on contact@missgreenpartyqueen.com 

If you know in advance (2 months minimum) what theme your party is, tell us and we will do our best to hunt out some appropriate remnant fabric for some gorgeous goodie bags for you.

Here are some of the older stock of bags.   

If you like it, grab it, they are in limited supply.

Why not use them for ‘wrapping’ a gift instead of throwaway paper? 

 Bags with handles are $45  

Our medium sized tie pull party bags.  Perfect for small small wooden toys and a lollipop!

Very handy for storing puzzles and jewellery after the party.

Last few available, don’t miss out.         $35 ea

Party bag zippered purses are perfect for holding a few little sweets or  some precious jewels!

Ideal as an after party coin purse.

Each little purse is made from two different remnant fabrics.  The back of the purse is pictured beside it.

 Small zip purses are $30 ea