5 Ways to Have An Eco-Friendly Celebration

With the year 2021 signing off, there is a huge majority of us who have made changes in their lifestyles to be more eco-friendly. Stainless steel and bamboo straws, reusable containers, recyclable shopping bags, and many more such items have become popular alternatives to plastic. While personal initiatives are a great start, it’s high time we bring these changes into our celebrations. 

Decorating our homes is one of the simple pleasures of festivals. Sadly it’s also one of the major ways plastic waste increases considerably. But it doesn’t need to be this way! 

We’re going to give you some sustainable, eco-friendly ideas that are home and planet-friendly.

1. Invitations

Plantable cards are growing in popularity.  There is a brilliant range of seed packet cards that you  can sow, resulting in  wonderful plants that further beautify the homes. If you want to cut down on your paper usage, you can choose cute, customised, evites (online electronic invitations) for your guests that cost you next to nothing. 

In case you get a paper invitation, recycle or compost your cards later or turn them into decorations for next year.

2. Decorations

Many party decorations and favours are made of plastic or other non-recyclable materials. Try to upcycle and recycle. Choose long-lasting decorations like well-made fairy lights you can use for future celebrations. Instead of glitter or plastic confetti, either make your own or buy paper or biodegradable confetti.

Colourful fruits and vegetables are great decoratives. Why not decorate with food art, bouquets, and edible centrepieces? Your guests are sure to be impressed. 

Look at literally everything around your house and think of whether it can be repurposed  as a decorative piece before you discard it. 

3. Dinnerware

There are sculptural and minimalistic biodegradable plates and cups made from bamboo and bagasse pulp that  are ideal for both a fancy and  a fun gathering. Another alternative is  palm leaves dishware –  functional, durable and versatile. If it’s a small gathering, you may also serve dinner and party snacks to your guests in glassware. It will make  your party more elegant, while helping cut down on unnecessary waste.

4. Gift Wrapping

Most of us reuse last year’s wrapping paper. What we don’t realise is that many rolls contain non-recyclable elements like foil, glitter or plastic. Opt instead for recycled wrapping paper. Or try wrapping gifts with fabric instead, using colourful fabric squares that can be reused again and again.

Learn to wrap gifts with fabrics

5. Food Waste

Food waste and Indian festivities are not uncommon. Cooking lesser quantities of food is the basic solution to the problem. However, if you fear shortage, opt for food with a longer shelf life. You can also pack leftovers for your guests to take home and enjoy. Last, but never the least, you can distribute the food among the needy.

The Earth is what we all have in common. Decide what impact your actions will have on the world today. As Rob Siltanen has said “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Don’t wait for someone else to take the step. Make it a December you will always remember.