Come to the Green Side

It’s not necessary to create more garbage over the holidays when throwing a party.  Consider these green tips that keep your work, trash and expenses to a minimum!

• Instead of a big dinner, have a potluck.  Or, prepare a big pot of soup, salad, bread and a simple dessert.  Around the holidays people will appreciate both the meal they don’t have to prepare and the lack of excess calories.
• Serve as much local food and drinks as possible.  Use a local brewery or winery and get the word out.
• Instead of sending a paper invitation, use www.evite.com and do it all online.  If you do send paper invitations, do it with a postcard only and lose the envelope.
• Skip the cut flowers and decorate with potted poinsettias, evergreen boughs, pine cones and ornaments. 
• Instead of buying throwaway dinnerware, get out the china, extra glasses and cloth napkins.  Sure, cleanup isn’t quite as easy but think how much less trash you’re going to produce.  Besides, when is the last time you raided your china cabinet and linen closet for a party anyway?
• Dim the lights and get out those candles that are hiding behind closed doors.  It will set a nice mood.
• Get your recycling bins ready for the bottles and cans that will surely be generated by the celebrating.
• Set a good example for your guests with your green adaptations and get them thinking!