Spreading holiday cheer should be less about spending the green and more about doing green. Celebrating the season, as well as the planet doesn’t need to be an overwhelming or expensive task—you might even save some cash by adding a little earth-friendly influence.
Our festivities are about celebrating friends and family, and giving thanks to others around you. So why not include the planet? Why not show appreciation for our community? “The reason people have holiday parties is to express gratitude and traditions,” says Sarah Shewey, founder of L.A.-based Pink Cloud, an eco-friendly event production company. This time of the year offers a chance for all of us to stand out with greener traditions. “If I could add a new tradition, I would love to honor local vendors in the community,” she says.
We share do-it-yourself advice on throwing an eco holiday fete, from where to find environmentally conscious party accoutrements, how to avoid a carbon footprint, to supporting local vendors we love – all the while giving a major nod to Mother Earth.
Doing Good for the Planet and Your Plate
Menu planning doesn’t have to wreak havoc for the Earth. “If you aren’t really in the know about the environment, but want to do something that will make your party sustainable, work with local vendors,” suggests Shewey, whose green party planning has been credited by National Public Radio and the Discovery Channel’s “Alter Eco.” She urges clients to think about their top green concern before building the party around it. “Focus on what your priorities are for being green—whether that means more water efficiency or using local food vendors.”
One of the easiest ways to ecofy your party is through the fare. Whether you opt for socially 
responsible merchants or farmers markets, organic ensures fewer chemicals are used on the environment, while seasonal fodder is hazard-free and more flavorful. Buying local supports our farmers and reduces your carbon footprint (avoids long-distance shipping of food).
Green market Locali supports local, sustainably sourced food artisans. Find eco-friendly merchants near you at sustainabletable.org. Talk with neighborhood merchants, who often know the best resources, like if a local restaurant caters. “They have a lot of knowledge and there’s strength in building that relationship and tie to your community,” says Shewey.
And when the party’s over, donate leftovers to a local shelter or food bank, like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Westside Food Bank.
How to Serve a Greener Cocktail
L.A. offers a slew of local, organic libations, from Chronicle Wine Cellar in Pasadena, Silver Lake Wines, even Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, which sells organic and sulfite-free wines. “Trader Joe’s has the price point,” says Shewey. Check out microbreweries Angel City Brewing Company and the Bruery, or Margo’s Bark root beer (100 percent of proceeds go to dog rescue organizations).
Biodynamic wines are another eco-friendly choice since grapes are harvested with holistic, responsible farming practices, sans pesticides. Try Araujo Estate Biodynamic Cabernet Sauvignon and Napa Valley’s Grgich Hills Biodynamic Fume Blanc.
For liquor, there’s Monrovia-based organic Tru Vodka, which plants a tree for every bottle sold, 4 Copas Tequila, the first certified organic tequila, and Reyka Vodka (“reyka” means steam in Icelandic), which is made from an Iceland distillery powered by geothermal steam.
VEEV, the first carbon-neutral alcohol brand, donates $1 per bottle sold to the Brazilian Rainforest.
Décor with Eco Flair
For a sure fire way to bring eco flair to your party, nothing beats using a little ingenuity with what you already have. Pull from nature’s backyard, literally. Decorating with fall leaves, fir tree boughs and pine cones will bring an autumn feel to any room. Winter vegetables, like chestnuts and pumpkins, are vibrant and also make great displays. Acorn squashes function well as soup or condiment bowls – just hollow it out with an ice cream scoop, and cut the bottom off so it sits flat. Arrange cinnamon sticks and cranberries in water-filled vases to add details. Wreaths are just as fragrant as cut flowers, but last longer.
Achieve a festive ambiance using soy or beeswax candles or LED lights, which use 80 percent less energy – many general stores sell them. The remainder can be offset with the purchase of carbon offsets through Carbon Fund or Terra Pass.
Go ahead, get that tree. You can also ask tree farmers where the trees come from or if they’re environmental trees, recommends Shewey. Redondo Beach’s Living Christmas Company rents and delivers (by biodiesel trucks) locally grown potted pines. Afterward, the tree is brought back to the nursery until it’s used again the following year. Wanna recycle your tree? L.A. offers curbside pickup and drop-off sites from Hollywood to Chatsworth.
Party Paperless
“Cups and silverware are some of the most used products at parties,” says Lauren Gropper, of 
Repurpose Compostables. “Most people go wrong when using single-use plastic and Styrofoam – plastic is made from petroleum, it’s toxic, and it never really goes away.” Repurpose, at Kelly Green Design, offers cups and plateware made from the maize plant and biodegrades in 90 days. Biodegradablestore.com is another good source for compostable alternatives, like Bagasse, made from sugar cane.
Classic Party Rentals charges plates for 50 cents, and uses water-conscious practices for cleanup. “The best and simplest option is to use real plates,” says Shewey. “Ceramic plates and cloth napkins adds a dimension to the senses and just feels more appropriate during the holidays.”
