6 Ways To Throw An Eco-Friendly Party This Holiday Season
by Natashya Khoo on Nov 25, 2022
Once again, the year feels like it’s flown by, and it’s holiday season! In the midst of clearing leave, sprucing up the house for guests, & watching the World Cup in between, we generate the highest amount of waste as compared to the rest of the year.
Stray decorations, extra food and wrapping paper galore sadly make their way to our rubbish bins every year, creating trash that would be avoidable if we planned our calendars more consciously.
Christmas can seem like a time where more is more, but slowing down & planning it around Mother Earth actually makes it so much more meaningful.
That being said, here are six creative ways to throw an eco-friendly year-end party to reduce your carbon footprint in the most wonderful time of the year!
- Make your own decorations
- Get creative with gift wrapping
- Opt for reusable cutlery
- Gift an experience
- Plan your shopping
- Host a potluck party
1. Make your own decorations
If you don’t already have deco from the years before, get creative & make your own decorations! A trend for this year is dried oranges- simply cut them into flat, round slices & toss them into the oven or air fryer until they dry out
If your deco doesn’t fit a certain theme you’re doing, try painting or spray painting your existing deco so that it matches your vibe!
2. Get creative with gift wrapping
We get it- nothing beats the joy of tearing apart the wrapping paper off your gifts on Christmas morning. Doodling on paper you have at home or wrapping your presents with newspaper is an alternative that uses what you already have.
Also, you can opt to reuse paper bags, or use the furoshiki method of wrapping your gifts with cloth if you have old scarves or loose fabric lying around.
3. Opt for reusable cutlery
Being eco-friendly isn’t about buying eco-friendly products, but rather making sustainable swaps. Especially if you’re hosting a Christmas party at home, consider breaking out the fancy cutlery instead of running to the store for disposables.
Plastic (or paper) cutlery makes washing up easier, sure, but might end up staying in landfills until 2023’s party.
4. Gift an experience
Sure, everyone likes a nice gift in this gifting period, but try gifting an experience to create a memory that would last a lifetime. Memories mean more in the long run than giving into the consumerism of the holidays for gifts that get forgotten after a while.
Whether it’s a fun activity or a meaningful one, get out there & give the gift of fun!
5. Plan your shopping
Year-end sales usually have the best deals you’ll get all year, so it makes sense to make big ticket purchases this time of year. Before shopping, it’s wise to make a list of things you need for your family and home so that you don’t end up overspending.
A helpful tip is to make a list of needs and wants. Make sure your list of needs are cleared first before thinking about the wants!
6. Host a potluck party
Let’s face it, making a huge spread for a large group isn’t always easy, especially if you live alone or have a small family. It also involves buying a lot of ingredients & food, & a lot of waste with leftovers that you can’t finish.
To curb this, try throwing a potluck party instead, where everyone brings one dish each. It’s fun to see what everyone will prepare, & takes up less space in your fridge!
The best celebrations are conscious ones. Tell us how you’ll be celebrating this festive season, fam!
