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It is birthday season at our house and our eldest will soon turn nine. He has been planning his party for a month, and already knows the theme (Lego) and the menu (pizza), but this birthday he's been begging for something else, too: "Could my friends bring presents this time?"

When it comes to going green, never underestimate the power of a good idea. These women came up with ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, and they’re spreading the word to their entire community—and beyond.

I wanted to introduce you all to this great new company I heard about that is making good happen. They are called ECHOage...

Don’t panic.  The kid still gets a present.  You simply create the opportunity for your sweet little curtain climber to share the birthday blessings with other children who are less fortunate.  It’s a great way to teach a life-altering lesson and make sure you don’t end up with more stuff that doesn’t fit in the closet.

If you have a kid's bash to plan, head to ECHOage.com where you can pick an online invitation and one of 10 charities.  As guests RSVP, they have the option of donating money, half of which goes to the charity and half to you, to buy a gift for your child.

Erica Ehm has a message for parents still throwing lavish children's birthday parties and struggling to keep up with the Joneses: "Stop worrying about what other parents or other children think and downsize proudly."