“Green” is the New Black
Are you planning an anniversary party for your parents or other loved ones in the near future? If so, it is surprisingly easy to turn the affair into one that is both classy and eco-conscious. Usually, anniversary parties are more formal than birthdays and showers, so the menu is likely to be provided by a restaurant or caterer. This is a great start, as there are many restaurants and catering services that offer natural, healthy and even organic menu choices. Some may advertise themselves as green companies, taking special care to buy local ingredients and to minimize their use of energy and resources. You can select organic and sustainable brands of wine and beer to serve with the meal.
The cake can be provided by the same restaurant or caterer or if you love to bake, you could make your own. If you do choose to make your own, there are a couple of hints to minimize energy use. First, if using the stove to melt butter or chocolate, use the smallest burner you can. A lot of energy is wasted by using a bigger burner when it is not necessary. Second, when you are baking the cake, try not to peek! Every time you open the oven door, the oven temp is lowered by about 25 degrees, making your oven work overtime.
You can choose china, silverware and cloth napkins and table cloths in elegant colors that reflect your anniversary couple’s tastes. Because the party will have a more formal feel, there is no need to paper or plastic products, and there will be less to throw away as a result. For centerpieces, instead of cut flower arrangements, consider decorating tables with potted flowers or plants, such as hydrangeas or gerbera daisies. You can place a paper heart under one guest’s place setting at each table, and at the end of the night, you can announce that this lucky person gets to take the plant home with them. If you want to eliminate plants or flowers altogether, floating candles in glass bowls filled with water and colored glass “rocks” on the bottom also look very pretty.
For favors, there are lots of “greener” alternatives to matchbooks or paper favor boxes. One idea is to give each guest a small picture frame that they can bring home and reuse. Look for frames that are made from recycled paper and other natural materials. Another idea that is a little more time consuming is to send each guest home with a CD of the couple’s favorite songs or a compilation of love songs, from different genres of music. Make sure that wrapping paper and envelopes are collected at the end of the event and recycled. Ask your bartender or server to recycle all glass bottles. In addition to being eco-friendly, these party ideas, along with all your special touches, will ensure that your party is remembered long after it is over!
Click here to see some cool eco-friendly boxes & bags to make your own anniversary party favors!
