A holiday party is an opportunity to team up with loved ones or colleagues to make a difference in the world, through the choices made in planning the event, as well as actions taken during and after the party.

“Being sustainable isn’t just about being eco-friendly,” points out Teang Tang, president of Mingle Event Management, a Calgary company specializing in environmentally friendly events. “It’s also about building community.”

In that spirit, many tactics for staging an eco-friendly event also foster community, both among friends and beyond. The very act of creating an intimate affair with the least possible impact on the earth creates connections between people and organizations, building the relationships that strengthen a community.

Take food, for instance. Tang suggests sourcing locally and organically grown produce, or at least organic foods, whenever possible. Pay attention to what is in season rather than serving tropical fruits in December. Buying locally grown foods as near to the source as possible not only cuts emissions used during transport, but also builds the relationship between the consumer and the producer, and helps to strengthen local economy.

Once the local foods are chosen, label them with place-cards that explain where the ingredients hail from, or even who grew them. For a potluck party, guests can be encouraged to do the same, and the host can collect recipes from guests to e-mail out to everyone after the party.

At every step, decisions can encourage both human connection and sustainability. The host of a party can encourage ride-sharing, and organize a gift exchange involving re-used or re-gifted items (often meant more to make guests laugh than send them home with an item they will absolutely love).

Continue this theme of community by being sure guests are introduced. Tang likes to go around the table at dinner parties and have each guest introduce themselves and relate something positive that is happening in their lives. “It makes them feel good that you’re interested and gives them a chance to glow a bit in front of the other guests,” she says.

When it comes to decorating for the event, creativity is key. Tang suggests using “things in a non-conventional way,” such as fabric remnants as table runners, a trifle dish or hurricane lantern to layer an arrangement of fruit, flowers, or ornaments. Decor items can be re-purposed as party favours at the end of the night. 

Tips for a great Green Party

Invitations
Use online invitations to eliminate the need for paper all together, or choose recycled paper and soy based ink in postcard form to cut down on waste.

Getting there
Encourage guests who live along the same route to carpool or share taxis. Tang points out that cab companies are offering more hybrid vehicles now than in the past.

Decor
Get creative and use items from around your home or pieces that can be reused.  Think hurricane lanterns filled with fruit, nuts, pinecones or ball ornaments; framed black and white photos of celebrations past grouped together and surrounded with pine boughs and pinecones.

Favours
Consider donating to a charity as a group or in your guests’ names. Otherwise, the design elements from the party make perfect favours.

Food
Finger foods eliminate the need for utensils; otherwise choose sturdy reusable flatware and provide clearly marked receptacles for the dirty pieces. Choose local and/or organic foods whenever possible. These same criteria apply whether making the food yourself or employing a caterer.

Beverages
Serve beverages in punchbowls, pitchers and urns, says Tang. If you must serve individually packaged drinks, she continues, be sure to provide clearly marked receptacles for recycling.

Courtesy of Teang Tang, Mingle Event Management