Set the mood for your green gathering.
Recycling is a common theme in living a greener lifestyle — put it to action in your party decorations. Things you probably already have in your cupboard can be used in new and interesting ways. Pull out your trifle bowl and use it as a punch bowl, turn your cutting board into a cheese tray and fill your salad bowl with fresh lemons and limes for a vibrant centerpiece.
When serving your party food and drinks, go for the real thing instead of disposable. If you decide to go disposable, remember that Styrofoam and plastic products are definite no-nos. Use biodegradable cups and plates made from corn "plastic" or bamboo — they're as sturdy as paper and plastic, but they compost in just over a month.
Greenery is the perfect way to add some color and life to your party décor. Instead of floral arrangements, opt for potted plants or herbs. They smell delicious and guests can take them home as party favors.
It just so happens that the most earth-friendly way to light your get-together is also the most beautiful. Nothing accents a party quite like natural light, and nature gives us a bevy of lighting options to chose from. Host your barbeque at midday when the light is bright and fills your crowd with energy. For an upscale affair, hold cocktails at dusk when the backdrop of sunset makes guests feel their most glamorous. In the evening, candles will give your celebration a gilded glow.
When light bulbs are needed, be sure to illuminate with compact fluorescent bulbs, which will leave the smallest possible carbon footprint.
Motivate all your friends to take action now. Organize a neighborhood beautification program for your community, and you and your friends can take the first shift to set the example. You can also start an email campaign to local, state or federal officials to work toward change in areas like clean-air initiatives and wildlife protection.
Nothing gets people inspired like seeing the real beauty of the earth. Host a viewing party of a nature program like Planet Earth, and show your party guests what we'll be missing if we don’t start living smarter.
Don't forget to teach the youngsters in your group the importance of preserving our resources. Help them with arts-and-crafts projects like making candles by melting down old crayons and using paper bags as canvases for artwork.
Buy locally when it comes to your party eats. Supporting local farmers cuts down on the energy needed to ship the food as well as the waste that comes from packaging.
Finger foods are always great for parties and reduce the need for plates or dishes. Serve fruits and veggies that are fresh from the farmers' market.
Featured Eco-Friendly Party Recipes from Epicurious.com
| Lavender Lemonade
• 5 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 12 stems fresh lavender
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
Boil half the water with all the sugar to create a simple syrup. Add lavender stems and remove from heat, letting the lavender steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
Strain the lavender-infused syrup with a sieve into a mixture of the remaining water and lemon juice. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with a lavender blossom. |  |
| 1. | Fall on Me / REM |
| 2. | Planet Earth / Duran Duran |
| 3. | Suddenly I See / KT Tunstall |
| 4. | Around the World / Red Hot Chili Peppers |
| 5. | Warning / Green Day |
| 6. | I Need to Wake Up / Melissa Etheridge |
| 7. | Idiotech / Radiohead |
| 8. | (Nothing But) Flowers / Talking Heads |
| 9. | Poison in the Well / 10,000 Maniacs |
| 10. | Let the River Run / Carly Simon |
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