How You Can Throw a Green Party

It is important to me to know that when I throw a party, I am taking into consideration the impact my gathering is having on our environment. I wanted to share a few strategies I use to help “green” my parties by being less wasteful. An added bonus is that these same ideas help me save money, and they still make my party fabulous!

Green Invitations - Email invitations are environmentally friendly and easy. Just fill out the details and hit send! If you want to send paper invites make sure you get recycled paper! You can also write out your invitation on a folded blue recycling bag. Let your guests know to fill it up and bring it to the party with recyclables, or item such as clothing, books, or toys they would have normally thrown out, and instead you can donate it all to charity.

Eco-friendly Decorations - Go natural in your decorations.  Potted plants or small trees scattered about create a beautiful atmosphere. The Arbor Day Foundation sells small trees and shrubs that are very inexpensive. Have your guests take them home to plant in their yards and gardens. Or make a donation in their honor to an environmental organization.

If you have flowers in bloom why not take a few cuttings and display them in vases throughout the house? Another option is to group produce in pretty bowls for your centerpieces. This can double as party food, but be sure to wash everything and let your guests know that the decorations are for eating.

If you are going to buy decorations, make sure they are decorations you will reuse. Crepe paper and balloons are inexpensive, but you only get one use and then they are off to the landfill. Buy sturdier products that will hold up to multiple uses.

Setting a Low Impact Table - Try to buy locally grown products for your arrangements and your food. Locally grown food has the lowest negative impact on the environment because it cuts down on emissions from transportation, and because it spends less time in transit, tastes better too! Check out farmersmarket.com to find a place to buy locally grown food near you.

If you can swing it, don't use any disposable utensils or tableware. But if you do not have enough tableware to accommodate your guest list, or you’re having the party at a park, use eco-friendly disposable products. Mygreensupply.com has a great selection of biodegradable plates, cups, and cutlery.

And don’t forget to set up a recycling center. Place out containers for aluminum, glass, plastic and compost.

Help Your Guests Go Green – See if your local garden center or conservation group will send someone out to give a short talk about different ways we can give back to the planet. I was recently at an event where a conservationist gave a talk about creating a rain garden to reduce storm water runoff, and not only was it well received but it inspired me to manage the rainwater coming off of my own property. Ideas are the perfect party favor to send home with your guests!

Have a great green party!

- Kathleen

Comments

[small trees]

There are several types of roses which are very high-maintenance. Although they'll be dazzling in your garden, they'll require a lot of your time. The classification known as "Modern Roses" are very stunning, long blooming, and highly fragrant; however, they are very high maintenance and are prone to disease.