Green Holiday Celebrations...

The WRITE Stuff – There’s nothing like the feeling you get when receiving holiday invitations throughout the season in your mail box.  For those of us that just can’t go without sending a card there are eco-options.  Look for cards made from recycled paper, using vegetable ink.  However, if you want to go “Deep Green” for your holiday you can go paperless with e-vites.  E-vites are cards you send via the internet and your email.  My favorite paperless option for invitations is the website http://www.evite.com and is where I do all of my online invites.  You can track RSVP’s and add unique items like maps.  They also have an array of themed invites for every occasion. 

Farm Fresh Festivities – There are so many reasons to buy local and organic, so I’ll just give you a few to consider when deciding upon your festive menus. Buying locally reduces your carbon footprint and supports local farmers and family businesses. Buying organic fresh produce, meat and dairy is a healthy option to traditional foods. Say no to injected hormones, antibiotics or factory farms and opt for an organic or all-natural entree when picking out the turkey, ham or salmon for your feast. The quickest and easiest way to find local and organic options is to head to your local farmers market. Make sure to utilize the foods that are seasonally available to you to ensure that you are getting the most out of your natural environment. Challenge yourself to make your menu as local and organic as possible and you’ll lessen your footprint while serving an exceptionally healthy meal to your family and friends. When it comes to parties, it’s sometimes easiest to just grab those pre-made bags of hors d’oeuvres and go.  I’m here to tell you that it might be easy but it makes a large unhealthy impact.  We all have tight schedule and I know how hard it is to make mini quiche and mushroom turnovers on the fly.  Try this instead…Ask all of your guests to bring one organic, local or eco-friendly appetizer.  You can supply the eco-festive signature drink for the evening and they bring the food.  Just ask for the dish in the RSVP so that you can plan the drink. Just in case you’ve forgotten, make sure to use biodegradable or reusable plates, utensils and napkins.  If you’re worried about having enough plates and glasses for your guests look no further than your local Goodwill Store.  You can pick up what is needed for a completely reasonable price and then donate back what you don’t want after the party is a huge success.  It’s reuse on a dime!  It would cost you so much to rent what you need and in this case you are contributing to a good cause…twice! 

Party Like Its 1776 – Save massive amounts of energy by having a party by candlelight.  You can light your party using only the light emitted from flame.  Drag out all of your beeswax and soy candles and light it up. Soy and beeswax candles are natural and do not off gas toxins into your home. There is nothing more festive than the glow of candles or a fire in the fireplace.  For an eco-friendly fire use Pine Mountains Java Log.  It’s 80% cleaner and is made from 100% recycled coffee grounds.  If you don’t happen to have a fireplace but you love the crackle and glow of a fireplace, I recommend the Fantastic Instant Fireplace DVD.  Your DVD player will use some energy, but you’ll still be saving and wow what a glow.

Give a Party & Give Back – Every party needs a theme.  What a better way to celebrate the holidays then to make it a charity gathering.  I don’t mean that you have to sit around and talk about the charity or have a planned presentation.  All you need to do is put a tag line on your invitation stating something like “We will be collecting (blank) for (blank) charity as part of our holiday gathering.”  Then you stage a donation holding place like a large basket by the front door or in the entry hall and…voila…you’ve done it.  Simple, easy and you’re giving back to the people on our planet.

-April Perkins