Making a green first impression
Plate it up
Just like using reusable tableware, try to use reusable table linens. Use a cloth tablecloth instead of a paper or plastic one. Use cloth napkins, too – one creative, affordable, and casual cloth napkin idea is to use bandanas.
If you don’t have the reusable linens or tableware on hand, you can always rent them. Or, check out thrift stores for affordable options.
If you can’t stand the thought of dealing with dirty dishes after a big party, check out “eco-disposable” products. Some disposable plates and napkins are made with recycled materials – and others are made with corn resin or sugar cane stalks.
Greener gifts
(To make the idea really green, agree on a regifting gift exchange. Guests can get rid of previous gifts they’d rather not keep, and someone else may end up with a gift they really like.)
Simple solutions
- To add a seasonal sparkle, use a lot of candles – or even LED strands of lights.
- Serve water in a pitcher instead of individual bottles of water.
Talk back
Looking for other green party ideas? Check out Healthy Child Healthy World.
Photo credit
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I read a woman’s blog last year about how she went to the goodwill and bought an extra set of dishes to share with her friend to be used for their holiday parties. After the parties were over they re-donated the dishes so they didn’t have to store all the extra. They said it ended up costing just the same as paper since they split the cost.
What a fantastic idea, Devona! Thanks for sharing.
I have a simple clarification for the dishwashing FYI: Curious to learn more about dishwashers vs. handwashing dishes? Check out http://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/built-in-dishwashers-vs-hand-washing-which-is-greener.html.
Using biodegradable dish washing powder, I can not get my dishes clean without rinsing them pretty thoroughly first. This seems to take away from that advantage, wondering if there was any solution.
I’ve tried safer dishwashing detergents, from homemade to biodegradable, and unfortunately they just don’t seem to clean very effectively.
If you’d like to continue using biodegradable dishwashing powder, I have a simple idea that might help: Could you rinse your dishes first in a dishpan that has a very small amount of water in it? If you could reuse the water when you rinse all of your dishes – and then then clean your dishes in the dishwasher – that could conserve water. Hope that idea will help!
Never thought of using a bandana as a napkin – fun idea! And we just had the disposable plate conundrum at Thanksgiving, but I won out with using our regular plates because, well, it’s my house! ;)