How Can I Host A Healthier Holiday Party?

Our Mission: We ignite the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. Donate »

Blog

Ask Us!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

by Allison Johnson, mom and Healthy Child advocate

I found Healthy Child Healthy World shortly after the birth and subsequent loss of my son. Needless to say, it was a very difficult time in my life, but suddenly, I had found an organization that was promoting what I’d believed in for so many years. I felt compelled to become a part of Healthy Child’s mission and immediately began hosting Healthy Home parties – an activity that has really helped me heal.

I found most aspects of the Healthy Home Party kit to be kid friendly. It was not my intention to get my daughter, three at the time, so involved, but it happened as soon as I opened the kit and she saw all the safe stuff. I got out one of each printed material in the box so I could prepare for the party and allowed her to look at them with me. After several days of preparation my presentation was ready, and I asked my daughter and husband to be my pretend audience as I presented the mission of Healthy Child Healthy World, along with the inspiring story of the Chudas, the 5 Easy Steps, and the examples of safe products donated by the wonderful sponsors.

What happened next was totally unexpected - my daughter asked me to switch places with her so she could be the host! I agreed, and it was so much fun for her that she began to have Healthy Home Parties with her dolls on a regular basis. My favorite part is when she talks about the 5 Easy Steps! And, it is so cute when her toys become samples, and her scrap papers become coupons.

All of our practicing paid off when we hosted our first Healthy Home Party at our chiropractor’s office. Although I didn’t know most of the people prior to that evening, I got to know them very well. After I presented the material, we all shared fears then discussed possible solutions on how to make our homes healthier. My favorite part was when we each wrote down the change(s) we were going to make in our own lives.

I had materials left over from the first party so decided to make up a few kits to be mailed to people who lived out of town; my husband even took one to a coworker who was a new parent. Most recently the local eco-store Amazing Green Planet allowed me to hand out over 100 healthy home packets during their trick-or-treat at Westport Village located in Louisville, KY.

After having all of these different experiences using the Healthy Home Party kit, I can confidently say that it does not have to be a stressful addition to your holiday. And, the gift of education is a gift that keeps on giving – especially when it means protecting children’s health!

Here are two easy ways you can use the kit for hosting healthier holiday parties this season:

1. Keep it spontaneous. With my family, I just left some materials out and when they asked about them, I told them about the 5 Easy Steps and showed them HealthyChild.org on my computer. Instead of it being a lecture, it was a real conversation.

2. When making your gift list, consider a product from one of the sponsors. I started this gifting tradition last year by giving Kleen Kanteens and CleanWell hand soap. This year, I’m getting my husband a pillow from Naturepedic (they sell adult pillows that are awesome)! I even considered putting a stick of Organic Valley butter in my daughter’s stocking; she’d be so happy because she loves their butter, but I think it’ll keep my holidays a little cleaner if I save the butter for Christmas dinner. This year, I am also going to include Earthbound Farms. Nope, I’m not using carrots as stocking stuffers - but I will be using the Earthbound Farms activity sheets, which are free to download on their website, as stocking stuffers (then using Earthbound Farm carrots in my cole slaw.)

What gives me inspiration and, I believe, is one of the most inspiring statements made by Healthy Child Healthy World is the motto: No one can do everything. Everyone can do something. Let’s all do something this holiday season to spread the mission of Healthy Child Healthy World and empower parents to protect their families!

---------------

Editor’s Note:

The Healthy Home Party Kit is valued at $75, but due to the generous support of our partners, you can have it for FREE with a $20 tax-deductible donation to cover shipping and handling.

Our supply of kits is dwindling fast, so order yours today!

Have other ideas for how to use the kit? Let us know in the comments!

One more thing - we used to have this silly rule that you could only buy one kit each year (we were trying to dissuade people from buying the kit just for the goodies and not for doing good). Not anymore! If you’ve already hosted a party, you can still get another kit for the same price again and again and again. So, go ahead and order today!