Handmade Love: Class Valentines

Handmade love is a beautiful, almost redundant phrase. It's also what we decided to do with Tucker's kindergarten class valentines this year. In the past we have tried to purchase earth-friendly cards. That was a somewhat expensive and impersonal (even if really cute) way to go.

This year I was determined to do something handmade for a few reasons. 1. Budget. 2.Handmade is the general direction in which we are trying to aim our family activities. 3. This allowed Tucker to practice his cutting, handwriting, and thoughtfulness skill as he created them.

My idea came from Family Fun. I selected 4 of the ideas offered. We used recycled colored cardstock purchased at a local office supply store, a red pen, scissors, and some carefully selected candies.

They came out really cute. Tucker is proud of his creations and excited to share them with his friends. I think this is the best valentine option we have explored yet, but still far from perfect. Neither the cardstock ($8, with leftovers for other crafts) nor candy (which had to be bought in large bags to get the right kind, the rest of which was donated to the classroom) were cheap. I am not a big fan of giving kids even more packaged candy. Unfortunately, I haven't come up with a brilliant better option around the school's rules yet. Perhaps next year we will be more clever in our messaging and give pencils or erasers or some more useful thing.

But for this year, these are splendidly fun, cute, tasty, and certainly handmade with love. What are you doing for kid's valentines this year?

Next time I will share our Valentine's Day teacher gift creations.

New Products and Deals from Kids Konserve

The good people at Kid's Konserve recently contacted me with information on some new products they have coming out. Just as a reminder, Kids Konserve is a company that makes reusable products, specifically for meal use. They are celebrating their one year anniversary and they have some great new stuff!

Like this insulated lunch sak made from 100% recycled water bottles! Something reusable made from something reused? Yes, sir that is heaven in my book.

Then there is this nesting trio made from stainless steel for all your little snacks and goodies. I really need some of these for snacks in my diaper bag.

Finally there is the new non-toxic ice pak and sweat-free cover. Perfect for keeping everything nice and cool and the adorable squiggle cover is made from plastic bottles!

Ok, here's the best part...not only does Kids Konserve have all these great new products, but they are offering Green Gracious readers a special deal! To start off the school-year right, Kids Konserve will give you 15% off until September 30th! Just enter the coupon code: gracious, at check-out.

And make sure if you have school-aged children you take a look at the Kids Konserve waste-free lunch challenge. Maybe you can sign your school up today!

What do you think? What do you love? What do you want to order?

Goody Bag Overload

My son went to his first birthday party for a friend from school today.  It was a lovely milestone and he had a great time.   We do birthdays very simply around here, even for the little guys so far.  So I always have to adjust to the amount of stuff that goes into throwing a child's birthday party.  And this time specifically, the amount of stuff my son came home with.  I would have thought he was the birthday boy with all the toys, goody bags, and treat bags.  And I realized that this happens every day, all over the world and will no doubt happen countless more times for Tucker.  Oh, the plastic/trash/toxin overload for the Earth.  

But before you go assuming that I am a complete party pooper, I am not suggesting that you don't graciously accept the goodies.  I just have a few suggestions for how we all might put them to the best use to help the planet.

•  Ok, I said I wasn't suggesting you don't take the goodies; but if this is the party for a good enough friend, and you feel comfortable saying it, you might mention that she doesn't need to make up a bag for your child to begin with.
  
•  Make it a habit to immediately sit down with your kids and give them a toy or two (their favorite of the bunch), a piece of candy or two, and set the rest aside.
  
• Save the candy for treats throughout the week, special occasions, or if it's close to a holiday, Easter Baskets or Halloween buckets.
• Put some of the toys aside for your home general store.
• Put some of the toys aside for making your own grab bags later.  In fact, we have actually constructed whole birthday gifts out of such goodies.
  
• Carefully fold the bags and tissue paper and put them aside for reuse on the next occasion.

With just a few simple steps you can make sure birthday goodies get a second (and maybe third and fourth) life, the Earth gets some relief, and you save some money in the future.  Oh yeah, and that you aren't picking random small plastic out of your couch cushions and the bottom of your feet for weeks on end.

Do you have tips for what to do with goody bag overload?  Come on, I miss y'all!