Birthday Gifts (resisting the consumerist binge!)
Birthdays are pretty simple – the day we are born. But this has created a huge plastic-fuelled industry of absolute tat, for mass industry to make more profits, and the planet to suffer.
This happy birthday lovely human is a nice card to give to someone on their special day. Save it to give to a brilliant friend, parent or colleague who deserves a little appreciation this year. The bold and colourful banners with loud typography, means this message will not be missed!
Everything at Good Tuesday is printed on recycled paper, sent in plastic-free packaging, made in the UK and beautifully designed.
Nobody’s saying not to give a nice gift on a birthday – this can be an experience (a day out at an art gallery or museum, a nice meal out or a trip to the cinema). But try to resist the huge consumerist binge mindset, of spending hundreds of pounds on gifts, just because someone is a year older!
Avoid balloons at children’s parties
These have become very popular of late, with companies like McDonald’s making a fortune for holding themed parties so children can eat junk food and get gifts they don’t really want or need.
Many birthday parties use balloons, which cause havoc for wildlife (including endangered sea turtles, as most balloons end up in the sea, where they look like jellyfish – a sea turtle’s favourite food). There are plenty of alternatives to party balloons, to avoid balloon releases.
The history of birthday celebrations
Birthdays have roots in ancient Roman and Egyptian traditions, which were originally to celebrate gods and rulers, not children turning 10. Hardly anyone is born and dies on the same day, though one who did was Shakespeare on April 23).
Of course one birthday is always celebrated is if someone turns 100. The King sends a letter to anyone who turns 100 (and at 105 and thereafter). It seems a bit unfair that they don’t get a letter if they are 101 to 104, as this is pretty spectacular too!
Which well-known people lived to over 100?
Although in many countries, people regularly live to 100 (mostly due to different lifestyles – community, clean hair, natural exercise, organic food). In the western world it’s not so common. A few well-known people who got past the big 100 were:
- Jimmy Carter (100, former US president)
- Kirk Douglas (103, Hollywood actor)
- Olivia de Havilland (104, Hollywood actress).
- Bob Hope (100, comedian and entertainer
- George Burns (100, comedian and actor).
George was once famously asked why he lived so long, as he smoked cigars. He replied that he ate well, exercised, took afternoon naps and ‘never took stress to bed with him’. When asked what his doctors thought of his habit of smoking cigars, he admitted his doctors had told him to stop (but they died years ago!)
Jeanne Calment (the longest-lived person in history)
The person verified the have had the most birthdays for a human was Jeanne Calment, a French woman who lived to 122. She rode a bicycle until she was 100 and said her long life was due to a sense of humour, and a taste for port wine and chocolate!
Her daily routine consisted of beginning the day with a ‘long prayer’ at her window to thank God for being alive, and the beautiful day about to start. She did daily exercises, washed herself and had dessert with every meal (but also ate healthy food and daily fruit salads).
She would have a two hour nap each day and after evening meals, would return to her room to listen to music (after her eyes could no longer do crosswords). She was asleep each night by 10pm, and would attend mass each Sunday and Vespers (monks chanting in Latin) on Fridays.
Since Jeanne’s death, the world’s oldest living person as of 2026 is English Ethel Caterham (she’s 116). Born in Hampshire, she did contract COVID during the pandemic, but recovered.
Jiroemon Kimura was the longest-ever lived man at 116. He worked for the post office until 65, then as as a farmer until he was 90. He was known to eat well, and keep interested in politics.
The world’s oldest living man is now João Marinho Neto (113) who says he lives long, due to being surrounded by ‘good people’.
Origins of the Happy Birthday song
This was originally written in 1893 as ‘Good Morning to All’ for kindergarten, and only became public domain in 2016, after a major copyright lawsuit.
The song was written by sisters Patty and Mildred Hill, two daughters of an American minister. Mildred was a pianist who on hearing black singers on the street, predicted that ‘Blues’ would become a huge genre, and how right she was! Patty meanwhile campaigned for children’s education and is credited with the US kindergarten movement.
Why choose recycled greetings cards?
Although FSC-certified card is from ‘sustainable forests’, this still means old growth trees are cut down to make way for fast-growing plantations that use pesticides and don’t give food or shelter to birds and wildlife.
Only send plantable cards to pet-free homes, as many contain toxic herbs and wildflowers. Also most companies use non-native seeds, which are not good for local birds and wildlife.
This pack of twelve eco-friendly greetings cards not only features adorable art, but everything is printed on recycled card, and sold in plastic-free packaging. This helps to save trees (which provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife). By purchasing a whole pack, you always have a card to hand, when the occasion arises.
Each card is also printed using vegetable inks, and made with green energy. The clear bags are biodegradable made from corn starch, to naturally break down in the bin. From original artwork by artist Emily Lee.
A Pack of Eco-Friendly Children’s Greetings Cards
This pack of twelve eco-friendly greetings cards for children is just as lovely!
Zero waste ideas for someone’s birthday
You don’t need to ‘buy anything’, as most people would likely just prefer a nice forest walk or ‘experience’, rather than a physical gift. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit a local art gallery together (many are free)
- Take a nice nature walk together, time to just be.
- Visit a local botanical garden or ‘open garden’.
- A luxury spa day at a local beauty salon
- Vegan afternoon tea at a local hotel
- Watch a film at an independent cinema
- Take a trip to the local theatre or comedy venue.
