Sustainable Festive Season party ideas you haven't thought of yet...
During the Festive Season, Australians travel more, eat more, drink more and buy more than at any other time of the year. This means, that throughout this period we also have a bigger impact on the environment.
Party's are pretty much a given at Christmas time, and there are loads of simple things you can do to host a fun, and also green holiday bash with your friends this year.
Over 4 trillion kilograms of waste is sent to landfill each year in Australia. If we reduced our holiday waste by just 1 kilogram per person, we can make a real difference.
- Email your invites - This one's simple! Save paper and send your party invitations by email, or alternatively create an event online (you because like half the world is on Facebook or other platforms) for people to RSVP to.
- Choose planet friendly decorations rather than single-use throwaway ones - Firstly, think of all the things you already own which could be used to decorate. Perhaps its some beautiful scarfs, or vases you could dress with seasonal flowers. Soy candles are a great idea for creating a mood, or LED lights which use little energy compared to traditional Christmas light bulbs. You could also try making upcycled and DIY decorations from items as simple as recycled and scrap paper to twigs found on the ground.
- Plan your menu around foods that are grown locally and in season - Even better if all the dishes are vegetarian . When thinking of refreshments such as wines or juices, or snacks like dips and crackers, search for smaller local businesses and support them. Smaller businesses tend to have a lower carbon footprint, and being locally produced means less carbon miles were expended.
- Lose the disposables - Choose foods people can easily eat with their hands, this way you won't need plastic throwaway utensils. Another idea is to get everyone to bring their own utensils, including takeaway containers just incase there is food left at the end for people to take home. If you absolutely need to buy utensils, look for bamboo and palm leaf picnic plates and bowls that can be reused several times, and then composted at the end of the Christmas season (available here ).
Now here's some green party themes for you to try out
Festive Potluck Party - The idea is that everyone brings a dish made from seasonal and local produce. Keep in mind the tips above on disposables. At the party, get everyone to write the recipe of their dish down on a piece of paper. After the fiesta, you can type them all into the computer (yes you'll need to do a little work) and then send it to all your friends who attended so they can try them out at home and be reminded of the celebration together.
Cookie Swap Celebration - This is similar to the potluck idea, but with cookies instead. Nothing says Christmas like a few gingerbread cookies, so how about getting your friends to make their best cookie or cake recipe for an afternoon of indulgence. The rule should be that everyone makes their own, no store-bought treats that came with unnecessary packaging allowed. If some friends are baking novices, tell them to join forces with someone who's experienced. Absolutely remind everyone to bring takeaway containers to take home whatever's leftover (if there's any).
Christmas Clothes Swap – we have written a fabulous how-to for hosting your very own Chrissy clothing swap. This is a great idea for you and your girlfriends to do together one afternoon or evening. Everyone will go home with a recycled and swapped gift, plus the memories to keep forever.
Holiday Movie Marathon - Pick out your favourite Christmas movies, probably no more than five to avoid Christmas fatigue, and settle in for a cozy night with your friends. Have some planet-strong snacks at the ready to accompany your movie night. Think locally made snacks, dips, and ethical chocolate. Organic wines, beers or ciders are also a great idea, or alternatively you could make a delicious seasonal fruit cocktail for all your friends.
Christmas Cast-Off Gift Exchange - This is a fun idea! A re-gifting party! Re-gifting — the act of handing off one of your previously received unwanted gifts to someone else — may be considered tacky in some circles, but we are all for it! Have all of your friends come over with one of last Christmas' cast-offs, or even something from around their house. Make sure everyone's gifts are wrapped, and then let people pick from the pile. One persons trash is another persons treasure!
Other posts you might like...
No Waste Festive Season: Office Christmas Party
No Waste Festive Season – Merry Good Upcycled and DIY Decorations
