Have you made the choice to be green this year? With the holidays just around the corner, how will this impact your entertaining? With the ”season of indulgence” coming up this will take some discipline and thought. Just as many diets might go out the window so may your environmental self-discipline.
Hosting a green holiday party doesn’t mean tasteless food and brown napkins. Organic food can be scrumptious and table linens can be glamorous. Having a green holiday will not inhibit your guest’s experience, but rather enhance it. Below are a few holiday party ideas to assist you in throwing the most fabulous green party at your Phoenix apartment.
A Green Menu
When hosting a green friendly party menu, think local. Visit your nearest farmers market for seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as meat and dairy products. They’re always fresher and usually priced lower. When deciding on your holiday menu, offer at least one dish that’s free of animal ingredients (including dairy). Remember that a lot of green-minded folks are on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Buying local beer and wine is another great option for making your party greener. For wine, think biodynamic and organic. Currently wine is produced in every state so finding local flavor won’t be difficult. Local beverages eliminate the cost of shipping and fuel and add local flavor to your holiday party. When it comes to nonalcoholic drinks choose canned or glass bottled beverages instead of plastic. And, for dessert brew shade-grown or organic coffee and herbal teas.
Deck The Halls
Bring your home to life by decorating with live plants, flowers, and garland. What’s better than placing a baby tree as a living centerpiece, and planting it right after the party? You can find a great tree from your local nursery. Be sure to decorate your home with energy-efficient LED lights, this will help you save on your energy bill for the holiday months. And, after the season is over and it’s time for the décor to come down, check for ways to recycle your family’s Christmas tree.
Invitations
Look for holiday invitations that contain recycled content, create your own, or simply send an online invitation. Online invitations, also known as Evites, are the greenest and most handy way to go, but not the most personal. For a more personalized formal invitation, think recycled paper for the invitations.
Setting Your Table
Why not add a personal touch to each guests seat at the table? Collect large pine cones from your yard to use as place card holders. Write guests’ names using a nontoxic ink pen onto an old paint swatch, and simply wedge the card into the pine cone.
When setting up your table, choose a linen or cotton tablecloth instead of a disposable plastic one. This way it can be reused. And, while reusable plates, cups, and utensils are the greenest choice, they aren’t the most practical one, especially for parties. Eco-disposable table wear made from biodegradable sugar cane, corn-based starches and green fillers can be found in most mainstream stores.
Finally, remember that every little bit counts and by showing your guests a glamorously green holiday experience, you can empower them to follow in your eco-conscious footsteps.
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