I wanted to introduce you to a few of my friends.

Gaelle runs a fab online store called www.kinoa-shop.com which specialises in delicious organic goodies as well as eco friendly products for your house and daily living. Everyone is catered for so if you are looking for some yummy organic treats for a birthday party then look no further.  Fill your table with chocolate chip & hazelnut or apple cookies or some delicious butter biscuits.  If you want some organic lollipops for a goodie bag you will also find them here.

Not only is there a smorgasborg of food but the eco friendly products are also worth a browse.  Rechargeable batteries - you can never have too many with kids around!  A solar powered charger (no excuse for flat batteries in your phone or camera again!)  and some natural insect repellent is always a welcome companion for any outdoor party.

Delivery is to your door so just like Little Miss Green The Party Queen it is a very convenient way to prepare for a party!

Now for another supercool friend.  Annalisa from www.BezandOho.com is becoming very well known in HK for her iconic bags.  Her gorgeous everchanging range of unique hand made bags are well sought after.  All the bags are made from remnant fabric which can include anything from funky rice sacks, supple leather, fine silks to chic cottons, denim and prints.  

The bags are made by women who have suffered hardship in their lives. Bez & Oho have improved their lives greatly through employment, support and learning of new skills, so each purchase directly gives these women a Helping Hand. 

Not only does Bez & Oho make a great range of bags of all shapes and sizes and wallets but there is also a beautiful selection of hand made jewellery.  If you are looking for something a bit different for your child’s next party then why not think of inviting Annalisa along to help the birthday girl and guests make their own copper enamel jewellery, leather snap or glass bead bracelets.  It is easy and fun and no special skills are required.  (suggested age is 9 years up)  Contact Annalisa directly on annalisa@bezandoho.com

Pip Pap is a great new store that has just opened in Discovery Bay.  It stocks a range of supercool products for kids including the Stokke range of furniture, funky clothes, children’s wall canvas prints, as well as fair trade and funky gift ideas.  Oh and they also stock some of Little Miss Green The Party Queen products!  Their online shop is coming soon but here is their address … Room 529, 5th Floor, Door D
Discovery Bay Plaza  ph 2987 8705 (closed Sunday)

I hope you can say hi to them soon!

Tracey

Our blog is still relatively new but we are having fun telling the world about our ever expanding range of super cool eco goodies and also the issues surrounding birthday parties. 

If there is anything you want to ask please email us at contact@missgreenpartyqueen.com  We’d love to hear from you! 

Please stay tuned for much, much more over the coming days …

Oh and to return to the shop please click on this link www.missgreenpartyqueen.com

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

Tableware 

Reusable!  The easiest way to reduce waste is to use what you already have.  Even investing in a reusable set of party ware that can be brought out over the years for each party will be least expensive in the long run and better for the planet.

Washable fabric tablecloths are a much nicer alternative to plastic and they are more hard wearing.  We are lucky in Hong Kong that we have the availability of lots of fabric markets around the city where you can pickup a few yards of remnant fabric in gorgeous prints and colours for only a few dollars.

Food & Drink

Buy in bulk and make food at home if possible, this may help in reducing all the packaging when buying smaller quantities and ready made food.  Lots of easy finger and unprocessed foods that don’t need to be eaten with plates and cutlery are a good way to go.  Avoid having single serve drinks like juice boxes and opt for recyclable containers like large plastic bottles or jugs.  Avoid offering straws, chances are they won’t even be missed! 

If there is any left over food, encourage guests or helpers to take it home.  It is better to be eaten than thrown away.

 Have a marker pen handy to label cups and plates so each guest knows which is theirs.

 Bring some reusable containers to make it easy to take home any left over food if you are partying outside.

 Invitations

E - invites save paper and can be made to suit any theme or style.  Invites via SMS & word of mouth use few resources.  If you are using a traditional paper invitation try and use recycled paper.  Or creatively make your own from your child’s art box.

Gifts

All too often from a large birthday party, children receive more presents than they actually need or sometimes want.    A good way of getting around this is to organise a joint present that all the guests collectively purchase.   Older children may want to receive presents that are suitable to donate to charity (for example Dog treats and blankets to take to the RSPCA or gently used toys for less fortunate children).  No gift parties are also rising in popularity. 

Wrappings for presents can also creatively cut down on wasted paper.  Using the cartoon section from newspapers or fun pages from magazines is a good way to recycle.  Especially for younger kids that may not appreciate a wrapped gift anyway.  Fabric can also be used to wrap your gifts, either a piece of fabric tied with a ribbon or in a reusable fabric bag.

Party Bags 

Often a very big source of waste are the little party bag trinkets that often don’t make it home from the party let alone last for days or weeks.  Finding inexpensive and quality party bag treats is difficult at times, but with a little planning there are alternatives.  Depending on the party, children could make their own party favours to take home.  It could be chocolates, cupcakes, masks, ‘build your own’ wooden toy sets or even a little potted seedling.   And party bags don’t have to be paper or plastic bags!  Quality, reusable fabric bags or a reusable/recyclable box containing a piece of cake, some candy or a yo-yo, or even a thank you note in a book (which could be party themed) are good alternatives to a flimsy bag.

Decorations

Reusable decorations are a great way to not only save waste but also money.  Fabric banners can be hung to add a festive touch to a party and can also be reused to decorate a room or play area.  Fabric decorations can also made even more special by featuring at each birthday party over the years and included as part of your family tradition.

Balloons may look great for the short time at the party but the remnants can be quite damaging especially for sea life surrounding the islands we live.  There are other alternatives for hanging decorations that can be reused.  Paper lanterns for example make an attractive and eye catching decoration in a room or swinging gaily from trees in a park.  Coloured ribbons floating in the breeze also add a touch of whimsy to a little girl’s birthday party.

Recycle

Another very easy way to cut down on waste going to landfill is to ensure you have separate bins, boxes or containers at the party to separate your waste into recyclables.  Having an extra few bags or boxes for paper, cans and foil and plastics will make a big difference to the rubbish created.   People will more likely separate their own waste if there is an incentive to do so - making it easy for everyone else to do will mean less work at the end of the party.

 Have a great celebration!

The candles are lit, everyone is singing happy birthday and the birthday child makes a wish.  Finally the candles are blown out and removed from the cake leaving wafting sooty smoke, little holes and often coloured deposits in their wake.  Lets hope the deposits also get removed before someone eats them because who knows what is actually in these paraffin wax candles…

As the name suggests, paraffin wax candles are made from a petroleum byproduct.   The wick if not responsibly made could contain lead (which helps to make it  stand up straight whilst the candle is burning).  Both of these factors contribute significantly to indoor air pollutants through toxic smoke.  It has been  documented that paraffin wax candles produce chemicals such as toluene, benzene and naphthalene.  The soot given off from burning candles is the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel (according to David Krause an air quality engineer and former employee of the Florida Dept. of Health).   The paraffin wax candles may also contain synthetic colours and dyes.

We can’t be sure what the ingredients of inexpensive paraffin wax birthday candles are and if the wicks contain lead.  But if you keep in mind a couple of points when buying birthday candles, you will likely avoid the low quality ones.

-   Who manufactures your candles - are they made by a reputable company?

-   Have the candles been certified non-toxic with the standards clearly displayed? 

A completely safe alternative to paraffin wax birthday candles are pure beeswax birthday candles.  Beeswax burns cleanly, is naturally more healthy, is not made from processed synthetic ingredients and is virtually dripless.   Beeswax candles are also more environmentally friendly as they are made from sustainable, renewable ingredients.  The smoke produced is clean and the only contains the natural aroma of beeswax. 

100% Beeswax Birthday candles are the most healthy addition to your birthday cakes. 

Bring a touch of village fair atmosphere to your outdoor party.  These 4 metre long fabric banners are a versatile decoration.  They are beautifully made and are reversible too.  Hang them from trees or use them to edge your outside party table.

They are great outside fluttering gently in the breeze but they are also superb inside.  Brightening up any party room with a splash of colour.  One of the other benefits of these decorations is they can be hung in a bedroom all year round and don’t look out of place. 

 There are only limited numbers made with each design (depending on the amount of remnant fabric we have to use), so if you like it, don’t delay in contacting us as they may sell out. Our current range includes these banners pictured.  Each comes in a handy matching storage pouch.

Purple checks & butterflies

Green checks & red butterflies

Stripes & Denim

Army & Denim

$245 ea

contact@missgreenpartyqueen.com

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

1.They don’t wrap each card in wasteful plastic.

2. All the products are made from 100% post-consumer waste paper and are not chlorine bleached.

3. The printing is done with vegetable based inks that don’t emit toxic VOCs.

4. Are made in environmentally certified mills.

5. They recycle or reuse all their waste.

6. The cards and wrap are made in an energy efficient process.

7. They run a carbon neutral office.

8.  They keep their packaging to a minimum.

9. Water use is kept to a minimum.

10.  The envelopes are made from 50% recycled beer labels and 50% FSC certified fibre!

What more could you want in a birthday card, gift tag, or wrapping paper?

Earth Greetings have produced a line exclusively for children.  There are 6 different designs to choose from as well as 2 other styles just to welcome that special new addition to someones family.  

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