We all love to deck the halls and be jolly this time of year. While you get ready to roast chestnuts over an open fire and sing yuletide carols with family and friends, be sure to think green when planning your holiday party! Celebrations can leave behind a lot of trash — from holiday dinner leftovers to gift wrap and boxes. We can take care of our earth while still having a great time!
Before the party, send out invitations through email or social media. Lots of online services let you create free invitations, track responses, and send reminders. Then work together with your family and friends to gather punch bowls, pitchers, plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths, and utensils that can all be washed and reused. Ask them if they have any decorations you can borrow and reuse at your party, or consider using decorations that can be given away as party favors. Avoid using straws, plastic toys, candy wrapped in plastic, balloons, and any other decorations that can only be used once.
Once the party starts, enjoy having experiences together. Play card and board games, watch a movie, go on a holiday lights scavenger hunt, or have a dance-off! Encourage people to use your well-placed recycling and compost bins, and set out only small amounts of food at a time, refilling as needed to keep food from spoiling and going to waste. Any leftovers can be sent home with guests in reusable containers.
At the end of the party, you’ll have made new memories together and have little to no waste to dispose of — meaning fun for you and Mother Earth! To learn more about giving and receiving low-waste gifts, check out last week’s blog post, Give and Receive Without Wasting.
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