Results of the Green Valentine Party Contest

Sometimes it just takes a little enticing to realize the benefit of the results. Reflecting on the green Valentine party contest, one teacher had this to say:

"Thank you for encouraging and promoting these green ideas.  I think it 
will take off for all other classroom parties.  At first, I thought I 
would miss those cute paper valentine napkins and doilies.  But, now I 
am happy to have reusable products for the rest of my teaching career. 
  I should have bought them 30 years ago!"

As it turned out, everyone was a winner. However, we couldn't provide pizza to all 18 classrooms, so 2 unbiased judges narrowed it down. The original plan was 2 top prizes...we awarded 4.

No one noticed (or didn't complain about) the lack of disposable paper, plastic or styrofoam valentine themed plates. What everyone talked about instead was the creative things each and every classroom did to make their party "green". Finger foods to eliminate utensils. BYO reusable plates and cups from home. CLOTH napkins that were washed and lined-dried afterward. Autographing t-shirts instead of exchanging paper valentines. Homemade, recycled, reusable containers for collecting treats. One extremely creative parent made treat bags by reusing oldTarget shopping bags and leftover cellophane bag. Cookie-decorating that doubled as snack and activity. Reusable tablecloths instead of disposable. One classroom was bold enough to mix holidays and use a Thanksgiving table covering, all in the name (and fun of) being green.

In the end, we all learned that being green can be easy, fun, creative and inexpensive. We recycled, we reused and most importantly we reduced our impact on the environment.

Comments

[ellen]

Hi Tracy - I work with Patrick and he told me about your site. I did a Valentine's party at my son's school and wished I would have seen some of these ideas first. Next year, I LOVE the idea of doing a Green Valentine's party - or any party. Need some end of the year party ideas - the autographed tshirts are a great one!

One thing - too much plastic on that (Thanksgiving) table - maybe parents could cut up fruit/veggies at home and bring them in a reusable bowl? :)

I'll be checking the rest of the site out. Maybe one day I can do something like this in VA. It's amazing.

Wishing you continued luck & success!
- Ellen

[Tracy]

Thanks Ellen for your comments. We are proud and excited at the "green" success of our Valentine party. Hopefully it will get better each time. It's just unfortunate that being "green" has to be suggested and encouraged so much instead of it being second-nature. Good luck in your efforts. We hope you keep reading our site.