A Simple Plan.

Byline: EDITOR: ALEXANDRA KOTUR

William Norwich seeks out society mothers bringing the over-the-top children's party (Spice Girls, anyone?) back down to earth--literally.

Into this modern age of eco-moms, the Slow Food movement, and more recently the Slow Design movement comes the latest addition, the Slow Party movement. This spring, slowing down rather than showing off is gaining real traction. In the fashionable we trust, so naturally the most inventive women in social life are going "slow" with great style and flair. Sensitivity begins at home, and one of the first events undergoing transformation is the children's party. In fact, meaningful, nutritious, and eco-healthy entertaining, not just for your kids but for family and friends at gatherings big and small, is the inspiration for Jessica Seinfeld' s as-yet-untitled follow-up, to be published next year by HarperCollins, to her best-seller, Deceptively Delicious.

"I have noticed and experienced through my children the party scene in New York and Los Angeles," Jessica says diplomatically. "Maybe because people are so short on time, perhaps they lose sight of what is really important and end up trying too hard." In other words, those glitzy children's parties you've heard about that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, more if a Hannah Montana or the Spice Girls perform. Responsible entertaining "feels fresher now, more cognizant of what is going on in the world," says Jessica. "Why have holidays and birthday parties and special occasions become about passing on unhealthy habits?"

Chez Seinfeld, they love a garden party. The children paint ceramic pots and plant flowers or herbs, then take them home or replant them in a community garden. "We also love a tie-dye party, outside only. Kids bring a T-shirt from home that has seen better days," Jessica adds.

Another advocate of back-to-nature entertaining is Sheherazade Goldsmith. "Organic, seasonal foods are always on the table, like fresh carrots, mini-burgers, home-baked root-vegetable chips," she says. "For a sweeter option, there are bowls of raisins and ice lollies made of fresh fruit and sweetened with honey." To stop the waste of useless presents at her children's school near London, ...