BLOG COMMENTS: Checklist: Green Your Holiday Parties

Changing a few things at holiday time to reduce waste and pollution can be challenging. It can also be rewarding and fun to know that you are making a difference!  A few moms suggested it would be easier to implement changes with a checklist and some web links, so here it is!  Try it out and see if it helps. Check off what you might like to try.
 
DECORATING
soy or beeswax candles
thrift store glass bulbs for a tree, vase, center piece, or for hanging from off the ceiling...
pine cones, seeds, leaves, tree branches or twigs for wreath or centerpiece
frozen center piece or punch bowl float:
put water into a nice shaped container; add some cranberries and leaves for color, and then freeze
use energy saving Christmas lights (90% less energy needed) www.holidayleds.com
organic or no spray flowers to decorate or float in water www.organicbouquet.com  (fantastic flowers...I have used them many times)
www.cypressflowerfarm.com  (Cypress Farms in Moss Beach is NO SPRAY)
 
FOOD
use all organic food if possible
buy food and beverages in bulk
buy individual beverage containers but recycle them
order unique organic or fair trade food items for your party
www.diamondorganics.com
www.harleyfarms.com  (local goat cheese which is free of antibiotics)
globalexchange.org (fair trade chocolate)
use low spray conventional food but buy organic that would have been highly sprayed* conventional
www.foodnews.org
*In the top 15 highly sprayed foods, these are commonly used during the holidays: carrots, potatoes, green beans, apples, celery, lettuce

Organic Sources
Half Moon Bay: Whole Foods, Cunha, Oasis, Andreotti Farms on Kelly is NO SPRAY, and Safeway has some options
Pacifica: Pacifica Farmer's Market 450 Manor Pl.
San Mateo: Piazza's Fine Foods www.piazzasfinefoods.com,
Pescadero: Harley Goat Farms Goat Dairy for no antibiotic goat cheese: www.harleyfarms.com
 
EATING GEAR
use your own beautiful dishes, plates, flatware, cloth napkins, glasses, cups
use compostable plates, flatware, and cups
use recycled paper napkins
get some cloth napkins at a thrift store or order new ones online
you may be able to send your compostables to green waste.  See: http://greenhome.com (they sell compostable eating gear)
 
 
GIFTS
Purchase gifts from Green Businesses that sell products made in a sustainable way that reduce their impact on the environment from production to selling point.  Supporting Green Businesses takes demand away from more polluting businesses.  Fair-trade businesses are wonderful because they provide safe working conditions, fair wages to their workers, and they don't employ child labor. There are thousands of choices out there.  Here are a few examples:
www.taraluna.com/index.htm
www.progressivekid.com
http://coopamerica.org  (see their Holiday Green Gift Catalog- list of online green stores)
http://globalexchange.org
 

YARD WASTE (including any trees or wreaths)
http://www.coastsidescavenger.com
http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com

Please share other "greening your party" ideas in this Discussion Forum.

-- Melinda

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Re: BLOG COMMENTS: Checklist: Green Your Holiday Parties

I forgot to mention how much waste virgin paper for gift wrap and cards creates. It is best to find alternatives to this. Making your own fabric gift bags is simple and easy, check out our blog on how to do this. It is easy to get fabric from people that would not otherwise be used. Also, you can save paper wrap from other holidays and re-use it.

Don't go out and buy new gift wrap. It puts more demand on the already depleted supply of trees. Plus, the dying process waste goes into our waterways. There are much more friendly ways to do it these days. As for left over gift wrap in your closet from less greener times, it might be better to give it to a thrift store where someone less fortunate who may go out and buy it anyway would find it much cheaper at a re-sale store. Then you can start your new gift wrap greening process right now.