Guest blog by Tammy Ryan from Icecream and Jelly
I absolutely love a party and I have to confess, I am totally extra when it comes to planning my daughter’s parties. From the party invitations, to the decorations and the cake, I like to get right into the details. However, I am also very aware that parties are very short lived and can produce a large amount of waste. So, I like to do what I can to try and pack in as much fun and creativity, while reducing the impact on our planet.
Kinder parties
There are lots of things that we can do to make parties kinder to our planet. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth either. A really great option, that is also good for your budget, is to buy preloved. Party decorations are hung for just a couple of hours or so and are still in perfect condition long after the party has come to an end. So, why not reuse someone else’s decorations that you can bag for a fraction of the price.
To make buying preloved party items easier, I am delighted to be launching my ‘Preloved Party Shop’. The shop will showcase a range of party supplies from preloved decorations and costumes to surplus tableware and party bag fillers. There are items for sale from all your favourite second hand marketplaces, all in one place, kindly powered by Rumage.
If you’re planning on buying preloved for your party, or perhaps preloved birthday presents, then it is definitely worth kicking off the search early. It can take a little more time to hunt down everything preloved. But it is definitely worth it and it’s a great buzz when you find what you are looking for at a fraction of the price.
My daughter has requested a Frozen inspired party this year. I have managed to source some great pieces on second hand market places. Including surplus cups, plates, tablecloth and decorations. I have even managed to gather a stash of preloved Frozen goodies for her birthday present. Some of which are new and still in their boxes.
Can you buy it second hand?
Second hand doesn’t necessarily mean old and used. And what’s more important to kids is that it is ‘new to them’, not that it is in fact new. If you would like to give a second hand gift, I know it can seem a little awkward at first, but highlighting all the great benefits of gifting a preloved present can smooth the way. So, I’ve designed Preloved Presents wrapping paper and gift tags that do just that. The paper and gift tags are lovingly made by the wonderful Planet Wrap It.
Do you need to buy it to have a great party?
In addition to preloved, it’s also worth considering hiring your tableware and decorations from your local ‘Party Kit’ provider. This is a network (of mostly mums) who rent out tableware and decorations for kids parties. Alternatively you could buy your own set of reusable party tableware (as long as you have space to store it) and use it each year.
As for decorations, I really like to make my own. Using things around the house, or materials I source from my local scrap store; a network of centers that help commercial entities to give away their surplus or waste materials for free, to be used in the community for creative projects. You can find your local scrap store HERE!
If you’d like to give a preloved party a go, then please do come and check out my ‘Preloved Party Shop’. Happy partying everyone! Tammy 😘