How to mindfully party.
I have always loved hosting parties. When I was 10, I created a "business" called "B.O.P.: babysitting and the organization of parties" - though I got babysitting jobs, the only parties I organized were my own (lol). When I was 12, I planned my Bat Mitzvah complete with mocktail bar, polaroid station with life size cardboard cutouts of Lord of the Rings characters, and hand drawn table numbers. When I was 14, I hosted a baby shower for my piano teacher, and hand made each invitation using pink tulle and miscellaneous pink papers. Since then, I have planned my own birthday party each year, either at home or bars around NYC. But unfortunately with much fun, comes much waste.
My biggest issue with parties is the disposable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. I won't lie, as a child, I loved going to the party store to pick out paper plates and plastic party favors. But now, as an adult, I know that I can trust my guests not to smash plates and glasses (intentionally) and so it's worth the investment in reusables. Also it's much prettier, isn't it? understand that one might have a big party at home and not have enough for that large a number of people, but these days there are some solutions:
BYO [plate, cup, napkins, utensils]. True, maybe it's not the sexiest request, but if you're having a party with people you love, they will love that you care about the environment.
Find FREE stuff. Post on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group (just search Buy Nothing then the area you live in) or the Buy Nothing app, and see who has what you're looking for, for free. I did this for my Bridal Tea Party (above) and I discovered many generous people in my neighborhood had teacups to give me. Not only did it save money, but it added a thoughtful touch as each guest was given a tea cup upon arrival to use during the party, and then they could take it home as a gift. Plus this option means you don' t have to worry about storage.
Thrift some reusables. Most charity shops (stores where proceeds benefit a charity), thrift shops (secondhand shops for profit) and even antique shops have a section with plates, linens, and glassware, otherwise, eBay, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace have plenty of options (photo from a Housing Works store in NYC below). It can be a lot of fun to find an eclectic pairing of plates, or go with a color theme, or choose personalized settings for each guest. The same goes with napkins: you can find lots of secondhand linens which you can use both around the food or in the bathroom if you want to have that fancy restaurant vibe of offering individual reusable towels that you can wash and reuse.
Rent table settings. After a quick google search (as I haven't used any of these myself), I found to nationwide companies: Hestia Harlow and Table + Teaspoon, and then wanted to share a brand called Social Studies that was written up in Vogue, but it seems to have disappeared. Renting is probably the most expensive option but if your budget allows, it's a great way to have a fancy night and not be worried about clean up or storage.
Buy "vintage" plastic and paper plates, cups, napkins and utensils. Obviously not my first choice, but on Poshmark, eBay, etc., people are often selling new unopened "vintage" paper plates etc. and given many of things already exist and will end up in the garbage anyway, so might as well use them. My friend Anna is known as the Trash Walker, and she shares how many stores like CVS simply throw away such things after the season it was made for, even though they are perfectly good to use. She shows us how these companies produce more than necessary and also should #donatenotdump.
Buy bamboo. The least eco option on this list, but bamboo is WAY better than plastic or paper plates or utensils. Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be harvested without disturbing the root and so the plant can keep growing where it was cut. Unlike trees, which are fully uprooted to be turned into paper. Also paper plates often have a plastic coating which means you cannot actually recycle them with paper. Unlike bamboo plates which are compostable. Here's some of my favorites.
Another element of party planning is decoration. So much decor these days is sadly made from plastic and is meant for single use. Instead, I encourage: beeswax or soy candles in festive votives, twinkle lights, flowers, handmade decorations such as DIY confetti made from newspaper, old cards, and wrapping paper (see my tiktok for some inspo), recycled paper chains, reusable fabric bunting that you could make or buy, and definitely no balloons. Again, as with table settings, if you see someone selling decor at a thrift shop, or find something in sale bin, by all means, better to give it a second life than straight to the garbage. But if you're starting from square one, the more you can DIY or find on a Buy Nothing group, or borrow from friends, the better.
Lastly, when it comes to food and drink choices, I would definitely recommend choosing brands that use little to no plastic and include organic ingredients, shopping at your local farmers market, and providing recycling and composting on site. And don't forget to recycle your corks as I explain in a previous post.
What are your eco party tips? Please comment below. And have a very happy 2024!
xx Hannah
