Easy Eco-Entertaining Ideas for the Holiday

Easy Eco-Entertaining Ideas for the Holiday (8)

For more ideas, check out ecofabulous.com's holiday guides and Anna Getty's
new book, 'Dreaming of a Green Christmas'.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Michele Lee Wilson
STYLING BY: Laura Del Fava
*originally published in California Home & Design Dec. 2008

What could be more joyous than occasions bringing family and friends
together and helping us focus on what really matters? If you count the
environment as one of the things you care about, it is really simple to
incorporate your ideals into everything you do during holidays.

Decorating for the season, giving gifts and entertaining friends and family
are among the most rewarding things in the world. Luckily there are
innumerable ideas for celebrating in thoughtful ways. Thanksgiving is my
favorite observance because it takes the burden off of buying and emphasizes
our blessings, but all of the winter holidays can be a time of cheer with
plenty of evening merriment. Wherever your preferences lie, every occasion
can be infused with mindfulness.

I spend every day (and well into the night) scouring for ways to maximize
enjoyment while minimizing our impact on the earth. It is excessively
satisfying and doesn¹t feel like a hardship. Instead it gives me fresh ways
to express my exuberance and the immense pleasure derived from being able to
share my findings. Here are some of my favorite tips to make everything more
festive, frugal, eco-friendly and fabulous this holiday season more can
also be found on ecofabulous.com.

1. Pining Away for the Right Tree: Whether you prefer the fresh smell of
pine or love the ease of a fake tree, each option has an eco angle. If you
want to go the live route, research organic Christmas tree farms in your
area by logging on to GreenPromise.com or LocalHarvest.com, both of which
feature farm directories by zip code. According to the National Christmas
Tree Association, there are 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the
U.S. every year, which means buying organically-grown trees is crucial in
terms of reducing the amount of pesticides used. Buying a live tree that can
be replanted in your backyard is the best choice, but if you choose a cut
tree be sure to recycle it responsibly. Many towns will chip trees to be
used as mulch. Check out earth911.com to find a recycling location near you.
If you prefer the ease and reusability of a fake tree, try to purchase a
vintage or used one locally, and reuse year after year I¹m going on eight
years with our family’s sparkling white beauty.

2. Go Ornamental: Adorn the tree with vintage mementos and baubles made from
renewable resources like rubberwood or recycled materials like misprinted
cans. One World Projects has classic recycled glass balls made by a fair
trade cooperative in Guatemala (oneworldprojects.com). I like to butter my
kids up by stringing organic popcorn around the house (pop extra because you
will likely end up eating half!). It makes a delicious alternative to
tinsel, and is a good family-interactive project.

3. Sheets to the Wind: I enjoy winter-themed organic bedding. They¹re great
for adding a touch of festivity to any bedroom in the house, especially
kids¹ rooms. Pottery Barn and their younger sister, West Elm, often have a
great selection. They help set a seasonal stage and can be re-used again and
again.

4. Raise the Bar Area: Dressing up a vintage bar cart is a chic way to
display bottles and glasses. If you have less space, try an ornate tray. You
can get a great cart or serving tray on Kijiji.com or eBay.com. Accessorize
them with heirlooms and items from flea markets, etc. in all silver, gold,
red, green, blue or an autumn array. Stock it with organic alcohol (like
Veev and Square One Vodka) and eclectic service ware.

5. Dining by Eco-Design: Treasure hunt! I seek out themed or colorful plates
at estate and garage sales or on eBay (no need to match). Or go for recycled
sea glass plates like the ones shown. Organic table linens are now easy to
find, or nab a vintage tablecloth and napkins online. Collecting fallen
branches and using them as a centerpiece surrounded with flowers and tea
lights has always garnered compliments from guests it’s easy and can be
changed and restyled for different dinners, plus it’s free.

6. Warm Hearth, Warm Hands: Making a wreath from foliage (especially if you
have some in your garden) is a fantastic family project! You can even set it
out to dry and then save for next year. Or if you want the easy way out,
order an organic herb wreath from Eco Express the beautiful arrangement of
rosemary, thyme and bay leaves accented with red chili peppers can be saved
and enjoyed all through the coming year. For stockings, you can collect
vintage ones or sew your own out of remnant fabric and make re-using them a
tradition.

7. Light It Up Efficiently: LED lights illuminate beautifully and mean you
won¹t have to change any bulbs for a very long time you can order them on
holidayleds.com in a variety of bulb shapes and sizes. If you are of the
mind that nothing sparks the spirit like a fire, try ecosmart’s denatured
alcohol indoor/outdoor flickering options (much healthier than wood for
all). Adults and kids alike can gather around and enjoy organic hot
chocolate, which is the consummate outdoor beverage (adults can add an extra
splash of festivity, if they are so inclined).

8. Wrapture: Wrap gifts in magazine pages that fit the personality of the
recipient – it’s a an oldie but goodie and a wonderful way to decorate on a
budget while keeping the planet in mind. Use one or two colors to maximize
the visual effect and stack gifts on a table or under a tree. If you prefer
to purchase gift wrap, choose paper with a high recycled content or one that
is made out of hemp, and look for printing with soy or water-based inks.