For guilt-free entertaining, use planet-friendly alternatives to usual goods
By Marisa Belger - TODAYShow.com contributor - Aug. 19, 2008
Forget movies, concerts, and dinner out. These days my favorite social activity takes place in the comfort of my own home. That’s right, I’ve become an entertainer. From breakfast to brunch, midday snacks to light supper, even multicourse dinners and cocktail soirees — I’ve found that there’s nothing like gathering a bunch of people in the cozy comfort of your personal space.
But as I move deeper into my role as hostess and continue to throw parties both big and small, I’m starting to feel twinges of eco-guilt. The usual entertainment accoutrements — disposable plates, cups and silverware; one-use decorations; processed snack food, etc. — can be incredibly tough on the environment. In this era of all things sustainable, I guessed that there had to be planet-friendly alternatives to the usual party, but I wasn’t sure where to start.
Enter Celia Chen, ex-event planner and current editor-in-chief of Notesonaparty.com, an online magazine dedicated to entertaining. Chen knows how to throw a party, and today she’s equally versed in hosting the ultimate eco-affair. She recently answered a few of my questions, and I’ve now got what it takes to give my events a necessary green facelift.
I want to host a greener party — where should I start?
Take your party outside. Find a venue that incorporates elements of nature and host your event early — you’ll use less energy if you take advantage of natural light by hosting your event while the sun is still shining. Find a garden or terrace for drinks at sunset — it’s Mother Nature’s entertainment!
I’ve got hungry friends. What about the food?
Contrary to what you may think, an eco-friendly menu does not consist of bland, vegan food. If you serve organic and locally grown food, you can have pretty much any type of cuisine you desire, but without nasty pesticides, chemical additives or antibiotics.
Most leading grocery or specialty-food stores now offer organic produce and hormone-free meat. Or, find a local green market and support local farms and food artisans. Food that is in season and sourced locally is better for you and the planet. It’s fresher because it doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate.
If you don’t have time to prepare the food yourself, hire a green caterer in your area. In New York City we turn to Sage Events, a local sustainable caterer (operating since 1997) that prepares delicious food sourced from local family-run farms.
You can also set up a farm table with local artisan cheeses, organic fruits and vegetables and freshly baked bread.
They’re thirsty, too. Is it possible to serve eco-friendly cocktails, beer and wine?
Better ingredients make better cocktails, so stock your bar with organic wine and beer as well as spirits that are made in a sustainable way. Parducci is an organic winery that’s powered by solar panels and wind energy and also uses earth-friendly packaging. Peak Organic Beer has four signature brews made with barley and hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
For eco-chic cocktails, we like to use Reyka, an Icelandic vodka made at a distillery powered by geothermal steam and to stir in natural mixers from Stirrings.
Disposable plates and silverware can’t be good for the environment, right? What are the alternatives?
When possible, use glassware for your events instead of plastic (which is made from petroleum) or paper (which ends up in the landfill). Tableware and glassware can be rented from local rental companies or through your caterer. They can deliver right to your door and will take away all the used items afterward — no dirty dishes to wash!
If you are dining outside and need a nonbreakable alternative, there are a few companies that make clear cups out of polymer, a substance that is made from corn and is 100 percent biodegradable. And Preserve by Recycline has great-looking tableware and cutlery sets in different colors made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
What about décor? How do I create a party atmosphere that will make both my guests and the planet happy?
Be creative with your décor. Buying mass-produced, disposable themed décor is unoriginal and, if you only use it once, pretty wasteful. You can find interesting ways to create atmosphere with everyday items. For example, vintage tea tins make great vases. Or find brightly colored fruit that’s in season to display as an edible centerpiece.
You can also buy seasonal flowers from the green market or an online retailer like Organic Bouquet that specializes in sustainably grown, fair-trade flowers. Their roses come in many different colors and smell amazing. Small potted plants are also an easy way to incorporate florals without having to arrange cut flowers. They can be given to guests as they leave or be enjoyed by you after the party.
And invites?
Go digital! The best way to save paper (and money) is to send a digital invitation. Pingg.com is a new online invitation and event management company that offers a great selection of modern images. Not only are the invitations free of advertising, but the interactive Web pages will let you upload photos, video and even set up a gift registry.
If your event is more formal, try paper invitations that are made from 100 percent organic cotton and printed with vegetable inks that are nontoxic. One of my favorite stationery companies is Smock, which handprints the most exquisite wedding invitations and birth announcements. They are the only letterpress printer in the U.S. that uses paper made from bamboo, which is a renewable resource.
There’s always so much left over at the end of a party. What’s the best eco-move for extra food, flowers, etc.?
Dealing with your post-party cleanup is the least glamorous part of your event, but an important aspect of being green. Sending your guests home with leftover food and bouquets of flowers is a thoughtful way to lessen your load.
You can also put out different bins for recycling bottles, cans and paper. This sends a low-key green message and helps to educate guests. If you hire a green caterer, they will be in charge of separating compostable food from garbage and will dispose of it properly.
Leftover food that hasn’t been touched can be donated to your local food bank. Make arrangements beforehand and find out their specific requirements.
What if you don’t have access to eco caterers and other green vendors? Can you still throw a sustainable soiree?
If eco-friendly vendors are scarce in your neighborhood, hop online to see what might be delivered to you. Or, be creative and use what you already have in your home. Vintage items and heirloom tablecloths are eco-friendly because you are continuing to use them and not buying something new.
Marisa Belger is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering health and wellness. She was a founding editor of Lime.com, a multiplatform media company specializing in health, wellness and sustainable living. Marisa also collaborated with Josh Dorfman on “The Lazy Environmentalist” (Stewart, Tabori, and Chang), a comprehensive guide to easy, stylish green living.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Green Partying: Five Easy Steps
By Maureen Ryan - Published: May/June 2006
When Andreea Matei, a marketing consultant in New York City, started planning her dream wedding, a simple, green theme came to mind. "I wanted it to be reflective of how we live our everyday lives," says Andreea, who buys only organic produce, uses low-VOC paint in her home and sticks to the most natural shampoos and lotions she can find. In order to throw a "green" wedding, Andreea and her financé wanted to incorporate as many organic, local and natural options as they could.
For invitations, they used recycled paper. Instead of renting out a hall, they exchanged vows on a beach at Lake Michigan. Bouquets were handpicked from a neighbor's garden. They served locally grown food, regional wines and herbal "gardens in a bag" as wedding favors. "Although we couldn't find everything organic, we were flexible and made sure we had alternatives. In the end, everyone told us our wedding was truly inspiring," Andreea says.
Whether you're planning a wedding, a simple cocktail hour or a graduation bash, these simple tips can help ensure that your party is as green--and inspiring--as can be.
A Green Party Checklist
1. Invitations
Many art and stationery stores carry recycled paper products, but try to avoid purchasing invitations that have non-recyclable aspects, such as plastic or heavily coated papers.
*Twisted Limb makes uncoated, recycled invitations and stationery by hand (paper starts at $.75/sheet; www.twistedlimbpaper.com).
*Vickerey sells recycled paper handcrafted from the bark of the Lokta bush, a tree-free resource in Nepal ($10 and up). Their Memento boxed note cards are $13.50 and up (www.vickerey.com).
*Go totally paper free--and save time and money as well--by sending your guests an electronic invitation. Log onto www.evite.com or www.regards.com.
2. Setting and Ambience
The ideal place to throw a green party is, naturally, outside. If weather permits, welcome your guests to an evening in your backyard or on your front porch, back deck or rooftop. The surrounding greenery and sky will provide a beautiful ambiance.
Candles can brighten any setting and help keep the bugs away. The choices below use fiber wicks free of metals such as lead and are free of synthetic fragrances, which contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. To guard against fires, protect candles from the wind and never let them burn unattended.
*Way Out Wax's natural hemp citronella candles, made of pure vegetable waxes and citronella essential oils, will discourage bugs from infesting your green party ($19.99). Other candles are scented with summery essential oils of rosemary, orange or eucalyptus. In freestanding pillars (from $6.79); encased in cobalt blue glass holders ($11.49) or 8-oz. tins ($6.79); or votive candles that also make nice party favors, sold in boxes of 18 ($30.60; www.wayoutwax.com, 888-727-1903).
*Tall, 100-percent beeswax tapers with all-cotton wicks burn clean ($7 and up; www.candlebeefarm.com). Protect them in Yin Yang holders, made from recycled wine bottles ($39.95/2; www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH).
*Find a post-consumer-recycled glass holder for votives ($11.50) or a drip-catching saucer for pillar candles ($23.50) in ocean aquas, blues and greens (www.katescaringgifts.com).
*Feeling extra festive? Try stringing LED white lights from Innovative Energy Solutions ($13.95 for a Candlelight string; www.inirgee.com), which use 80 to 90 percent less energy.
3. Food and Drink
Serve raw foods: Fresh salad greens and strawberries are coming into season. To find greenmarkets near you, see www.ams.usda.gov.
*If you don't feel like cooking, there are eco-friendly catering companies around the country. In New York City, The Cleaver Co. uses organic raw materials that come from local family farms (www.cleaverco.com, 212-741-9174). Or chef Jon Tierney will cater a green menu, from savory hors d'oeuvres to dreamy sweets (www.jontierneycatering.com, 917-538-5511).
*City Bakery, in addition to its greenmarket lunch menu, Nirvanic cookies and chocolate and lemon tarts, also caters (212-366-1414, 310-656-3040). Also check out "Birdbath" at www.buildagreenbakery.com.
*Back to Earth, based in Berkeley, California, is known for its organic and local meats, fruits and vegetables (www.backtoearth.org, 510-528-3987).
*Whole Foods Markets prepare handy party platters of vegetables, fruits, breads and dips and cheese--and can customize an organic dinner menu (www.wholefoodsmarket.com).
*Also see www.organicweddings.com and the organic foods by mail list at www.thegreenguide.com.
Desserts
It's getting easier all the time to find organic treats at local bakeries, patisseries and creameries. Or for nationwide shipping, try:
*Dancing Deer Baking Co.'s decadent preservative-free cakes and cookies, freshly baked when you order (cookie packages start at $14.50, $19.50/cake; www.dancingdeer.com, 888-699-DEER).
*Organic lemon raspberry or chocolate cheesecakes ($34.95) or fruit pies ($26) come flying to your rescue from Diamond Organics (www.diamondorganics.com).
*Global Exchange sells Fair Trade Certified Gold Coin chocolates stamped with fair-trade messages ($6.99/40 pieces; www.globalexchange.org).
Beverages
*R. W. Knudsen's Organic Juices are in great taste for any age group, in Concord Grape, Blueberry Pomegranate and Orange Carrot ($2 and up; www.knudsenjuices.com).
*Frey Vineyards, in the Redwood Valley of California, has produced award-winning organic and biodynamic sulfite-free wines since 1980 ($7.50 and up; www.freywine.com).
*Samuel Smith Organic Ale & Lager, from the Old Brewery in Tadcaster, England, is delicate, fruity and full of fresh hops (prices vary; www.merchantduvin.com). Wolaver's refreshing Organic Beers, brewed in Middlebury, Vermont, contain a special house yeast (prices vary; www.wolavers.com).
*Maison Jomere distills certified organic spirits. Their Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin has received numerous awards, and their Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum is made from organically grown sugarcane and is as smooth as can be. Not to mention the UK 5 Organic Vodka (prices vary; www.maisonjomere.com).
*New find: Sacred Grounds' certified organic coffee is grown on small, family farms (starting at $9.95/12-oz. bag; www.sacredgroundscoffee.com, 800-425-2532).
*For more brands, see the Wine, Beer and Coffee Product Reports at www.thegreenguide.com.
4. Favors
You may want to give your guests a small gift--for instance, a cup that they can drink from and take home, cutting down on dirty dishes and waste.
*Try a 100-percent recycled glass tumbler or goblet from Green Glass's new Modern Collection ($25/set of 4; www.greenglass.com).
*Memories of your party will flourish as your guests grow Good Luck Gardens in a Bag ($8; www.wishingfish.com) or Windowsill Herb sets of starter pots containing lemon mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary and sage ($27; www.gardeningbulbs.com).
*Endangered Species Belgian Chocolate Bug Bites are made of organic milk or dark chocolate and come with endangered insects trading cards ($28.99/64 pieces; www.mothernature.com).
*Send kids home with organic cotton dogs, cats, rabbits and elephants ($9.95 and up; www.store.yahoo.com).
*Get kids thinking big with Tree in a Box kits, which provide everything needed to grow a tree from seed ($2.50 and up; www.treeinabox.com).
*Other great summer favors for nature lovers: birdfeeders, gardening sets and wildflower presses ($18 and up; www.naturalplay.com).
5. For the Table
It's always greenest to use washable linens, napkins, cutlery and dinnerware.
*Start setting the mood with the table. Rawganique sells organic hemp and French linen tablecloths (starting at $54) and matching napkins ($10.95), in vibrant colors like burgundy, russet orange, olive and alpine meadow (www.rawganique.com, 877-729-4367) .
*Bamboo plates are light and nonbreakable ($4-$20; www.bambuhome.com, 877-226-2829). Handcrafted seaglass plates and bowls by Riverside Design Group make cool summer settings ($132/4-piece set; www.pangaya.com, 800-872-6618). Also see "Dishes and Glassware," GG #111.
*When you must use paper, try to buy recycled, such as Seventh Generation's paper plates, which are made from 100-percent recycled paper, with a minimum of 83-percent post-consumer materials. They are also whitened without chlorine bleach ($1.39; www.seventhgeneration.com).
*Mix and match with Marcal's paper napkins, multicolored and also made from recycled paper ($3 and up; www.marcalpaper.com).
*Finally, keep your clean-up simple: Set up a recycling center in your kitchen or backyard. Use one container for aluminum, one for glass and one for compost--guests will enjoy helping to sort. And use earth-friendly cleaners like baking soda. See the new Household Cleaning Product Report at www.thegreenguide.com.
When Andreea Matei, a marketing consultant in New York City, started planning her dream wedding, a simple, green theme came to mind. "I wanted it to be reflective of how we live our everyday lives," says Andreea, who buys only organic produce, uses low-VOC paint in her home and sticks to the most natural shampoos and lotions she can find. In order to throw a "green" wedding, Andreea and her financé wanted to incorporate as many organic, local and natural options as they could.
For invitations, they used recycled paper. Instead of renting out a hall, they exchanged vows on a beach at Lake Michigan. Bouquets were handpicked from a neighbor's garden. They served locally grown food, regional wines and herbal "gardens in a bag" as wedding favors. "Although we couldn't find everything organic, we were flexible and made sure we had alternatives. In the end, everyone told us our wedding was truly inspiring," Andreea says.
Whether you're planning a wedding, a simple cocktail hour or a graduation bash, these simple tips can help ensure that your party is as green--and inspiring--as can be.
A Green Party Checklist
1. Invitations
Many art and stationery stores carry recycled paper products, but try to avoid purchasing invitations that have non-recyclable aspects, such as plastic or heavily coated papers.
*Twisted Limb makes uncoated, recycled invitations and stationery by hand (paper starts at $.75/sheet; www.twistedlimbpaper.com).
*Vickerey sells recycled paper handcrafted from the bark of the Lokta bush, a tree-free resource in Nepal ($10 and up). Their Memento boxed note cards are $13.50 and up (www.vickerey.com).
*Go totally paper free--and save time and money as well--by sending your guests an electronic invitation. Log onto www.evite.com or www.regards.com.
2. Setting and Ambience
The ideal place to throw a green party is, naturally, outside. If weather permits, welcome your guests to an evening in your backyard or on your front porch, back deck or rooftop. The surrounding greenery and sky will provide a beautiful ambiance.
Candles can brighten any setting and help keep the bugs away. The choices below use fiber wicks free of metals such as lead and are free of synthetic fragrances, which contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. To guard against fires, protect candles from the wind and never let them burn unattended.
*Way Out Wax's natural hemp citronella candles, made of pure vegetable waxes and citronella essential oils, will discourage bugs from infesting your green party ($19.99). Other candles are scented with summery essential oils of rosemary, orange or eucalyptus. In freestanding pillars (from $6.79); encased in cobalt blue glass holders ($11.49) or 8-oz. tins ($6.79); or votive candles that also make nice party favors, sold in boxes of 18 ($30.60; www.wayoutwax.com, 888-727-1903).
*Tall, 100-percent beeswax tapers with all-cotton wicks burn clean ($7 and up; www.candlebeefarm.com). Protect them in Yin Yang holders, made from recycled wine bottles ($39.95/2; www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH).
*Find a post-consumer-recycled glass holder for votives ($11.50) or a drip-catching saucer for pillar candles ($23.50) in ocean aquas, blues and greens (www.katescaringgifts.com).
*Feeling extra festive? Try stringing LED white lights from Innovative Energy Solutions ($13.95 for a Candlelight string; www.inirgee.com), which use 80 to 90 percent less energy.
3. Food and Drink
Serve raw foods: Fresh salad greens and strawberries are coming into season. To find greenmarkets near you, see www.ams.usda.gov.
*If you don't feel like cooking, there are eco-friendly catering companies around the country. In New York City, The Cleaver Co. uses organic raw materials that come from local family farms (www.cleaverco.com, 212-741-9174). Or chef Jon Tierney will cater a green menu, from savory hors d'oeuvres to dreamy sweets (www.jontierneycatering.com, 917-538-5511).
*City Bakery, in addition to its greenmarket lunch menu, Nirvanic cookies and chocolate and lemon tarts, also caters (212-366-1414, 310-656-3040). Also check out "Birdbath" at www.buildagreenbakery.com.
*Back to Earth, based in Berkeley, California, is known for its organic and local meats, fruits and vegetables (www.backtoearth.org, 510-528-3987).
*Whole Foods Markets prepare handy party platters of vegetables, fruits, breads and dips and cheese--and can customize an organic dinner menu (www.wholefoodsmarket.com).
*Also see www.organicweddings.com and the organic foods by mail list at www.thegreenguide.com.
Desserts
It's getting easier all the time to find organic treats at local bakeries, patisseries and creameries. Or for nationwide shipping, try:
*Dancing Deer Baking Co.'s decadent preservative-free cakes and cookies, freshly baked when you order (cookie packages start at $14.50, $19.50/cake; www.dancingdeer.com, 888-699-DEER).
*Organic lemon raspberry or chocolate cheesecakes ($34.95) or fruit pies ($26) come flying to your rescue from Diamond Organics (www.diamondorganics.com).
*Global Exchange sells Fair Trade Certified Gold Coin chocolates stamped with fair-trade messages ($6.99/40 pieces; www.globalexchange.org).
Beverages
*R. W. Knudsen's Organic Juices are in great taste for any age group, in Concord Grape, Blueberry Pomegranate and Orange Carrot ($2 and up; www.knudsenjuices.com).
*Frey Vineyards, in the Redwood Valley of California, has produced award-winning organic and biodynamic sulfite-free wines since 1980 ($7.50 and up; www.freywine.com).
*Samuel Smith Organic Ale & Lager, from the Old Brewery in Tadcaster, England, is delicate, fruity and full of fresh hops (prices vary; www.merchantduvin.com). Wolaver's refreshing Organic Beers, brewed in Middlebury, Vermont, contain a special house yeast (prices vary; www.wolavers.com).
*Maison Jomere distills certified organic spirits. Their Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin has received numerous awards, and their Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum is made from organically grown sugarcane and is as smooth as can be. Not to mention the UK 5 Organic Vodka (prices vary; www.maisonjomere.com).
*New find: Sacred Grounds' certified organic coffee is grown on small, family farms (starting at $9.95/12-oz. bag; www.sacredgroundscoffee.com, 800-425-2532).
*For more brands, see the Wine, Beer and Coffee Product Reports at www.thegreenguide.com.
4. Favors
You may want to give your guests a small gift--for instance, a cup that they can drink from and take home, cutting down on dirty dishes and waste.
*Try a 100-percent recycled glass tumbler or goblet from Green Glass's new Modern Collection ($25/set of 4; www.greenglass.com).
*Memories of your party will flourish as your guests grow Good Luck Gardens in a Bag ($8; www.wishingfish.com) or Windowsill Herb sets of starter pots containing lemon mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary and sage ($27; www.gardeningbulbs.com).
*Endangered Species Belgian Chocolate Bug Bites are made of organic milk or dark chocolate and come with endangered insects trading cards ($28.99/64 pieces; www.mothernature.com).
*Send kids home with organic cotton dogs, cats, rabbits and elephants ($9.95 and up; www.store.yahoo.com).
*Get kids thinking big with Tree in a Box kits, which provide everything needed to grow a tree from seed ($2.50 and up; www.treeinabox.com).
*Other great summer favors for nature lovers: birdfeeders, gardening sets and wildflower presses ($18 and up; www.naturalplay.com).
5. For the Table
It's always greenest to use washable linens, napkins, cutlery and dinnerware.
*Start setting the mood with the table. Rawganique sells organic hemp and French linen tablecloths (starting at $54) and matching napkins ($10.95), in vibrant colors like burgundy, russet orange, olive and alpine meadow (www.rawganique.com, 877-729-4367) .
*Bamboo plates are light and nonbreakable ($4-$20; www.bambuhome.com, 877-226-2829). Handcrafted seaglass plates and bowls by Riverside Design Group make cool summer settings ($132/4-piece set; www.pangaya.com, 800-872-6618). Also see "Dishes and Glassware," GG #111.
*When you must use paper, try to buy recycled, such as Seventh Generation's paper plates, which are made from 100-percent recycled paper, with a minimum of 83-percent post-consumer materials. They are also whitened without chlorine bleach ($1.39; www.seventhgeneration.com).
*Mix and match with Marcal's paper napkins, multicolored and also made from recycled paper ($3 and up; www.marcalpaper.com).
*Finally, keep your clean-up simple: Set up a recycling center in your kitchen or backyard. Use one container for aluminum, one for glass and one for compost--guests will enjoy helping to sort. And use earth-friendly cleaners like baking soda. See the new Household Cleaning Product Report at www.thegreenguide.com.
The Frill Is Gone
How to green your office holiday party
Published: 26 Nov 2008
They say it's a "no-frills holiday season" this year -- with the economy hitting the skids, many companies are putting the brakes on lavish holiday-party spending, and some are nixing their parties altogether. But just because you have to cancel the fireworks show doesn't mean you can't have a good time. If your company is celebrating the holidays this year, consider this a memo on how to plan a lean, green, and still-enough-fun-that-you-regret-it-the-next-day occasion.
Here's where to start. Got more ideas, or examples of stuff your company is doing? Let us know.
The Baby Steps
Make yours a paperless office. As frequently noted, society hasn't done so well with that "paperless office" prediction. But when it comes to holiday cards and invites, that's the way to go. Send an electronic invite, send a plain old e-mail, or heck, stand up and shout your invite through the cube farm. If you must print on paper, look for a company that uses recycled stock. (See Resources for a few to get you started.)
But load the copier with used or recycled paper. Hey, if people are gonna get drunk and photocopy their asses, you don't want them wasting perfectly good sheets.
The Next Steps
Work the pretty. When it comes to decorations, keep it simple. Buy a few plants, gather up some others from around the office -- yeah, even the half-dead ones -- and cluster them for an outside-in décor (just be sure you know whose desk they go back to). Ask staffers to contribute a favorite holiday item or their kids' artwork to brighten up the scene (just be sure you know whose kid they go back to). Or use food as decoration -- it's pretty, it's colorful, and when it all gets eaten, your Decorations Clean-Up Subcommittee will be happy. For lighting, try LED strings or candles (the non-yucky kind) -- or have your party in the daytime so lights aren't necessary.
Eat and greet. The best thing about a holiday party should be the food. If your affair is catered, ask about local and organic options. Request linens and silverware instead of disposables. If you're planning to have your shindig at a nearby establishment, support a local business instead of a faceless chain. And if you're inclined to raise the bar, consider biodynamic wines, organic beers, or your own occasion-specific organic cocktails. Provide recycling bins, and either compost leftover food or donate it to a local organization.
Cut the crap. Don't give out pewter pens or umbrellas stamped with your company logo to every staffer -- it creates waste and inspires frustration. Instead, if you have that money to spare, put it into the next paycheck or a gift card. If staffers are pushing to uphold gift-giving traditions, consider a white-elephant exchange, and make it the kind where you bring an item from home, not purchase something new. And if custom dictates that you absolutely must give something to your (greedy, planet-fucking) clients, look into green options geared toward corporations (see Resources, below).
The Big Step
Call the whole thing off. Follow the lead of companies like Viacom, which is giving employees extra paid days off this year instead of splurging on a holiday bash. Or look into a "Big Little Holiday Party" -- these collaborative events, catching on around the country, bring small groups together for one whopper of a good, impact-sharing time. Or hold your holiday party in January -- after the frenzy of the holiday season is over, when people need a diversion, and when food and facility costs aren't jacked up beyond all reason.
Whatever you do and however crunched your finances may be, be sure to show your employees the love. After all, where would you be without them?
Published: 26 Nov 2008
They say it's a "no-frills holiday season" this year -- with the economy hitting the skids, many companies are putting the brakes on lavish holiday-party spending, and some are nixing their parties altogether. But just because you have to cancel the fireworks show doesn't mean you can't have a good time. If your company is celebrating the holidays this year, consider this a memo on how to plan a lean, green, and still-enough-fun-that-you-regret-it-the-next-day occasion.
Here's where to start. Got more ideas, or examples of stuff your company is doing? Let us know.
The Baby Steps
Make yours a paperless office. As frequently noted, society hasn't done so well with that "paperless office" prediction. But when it comes to holiday cards and invites, that's the way to go. Send an electronic invite, send a plain old e-mail, or heck, stand up and shout your invite through the cube farm. If you must print on paper, look for a company that uses recycled stock. (See Resources for a few to get you started.)
But load the copier with used or recycled paper. Hey, if people are gonna get drunk and photocopy their asses, you don't want them wasting perfectly good sheets.
The Next Steps
Work the pretty. When it comes to decorations, keep it simple. Buy a few plants, gather up some others from around the office -- yeah, even the half-dead ones -- and cluster them for an outside-in décor (just be sure you know whose desk they go back to). Ask staffers to contribute a favorite holiday item or their kids' artwork to brighten up the scene (just be sure you know whose kid they go back to). Or use food as decoration -- it's pretty, it's colorful, and when it all gets eaten, your Decorations Clean-Up Subcommittee will be happy. For lighting, try LED strings or candles (the non-yucky kind) -- or have your party in the daytime so lights aren't necessary.
Eat and greet. The best thing about a holiday party should be the food. If your affair is catered, ask about local and organic options. Request linens and silverware instead of disposables. If you're planning to have your shindig at a nearby establishment, support a local business instead of a faceless chain. And if you're inclined to raise the bar, consider biodynamic wines, organic beers, or your own occasion-specific organic cocktails. Provide recycling bins, and either compost leftover food or donate it to a local organization.
Cut the crap. Don't give out pewter pens or umbrellas stamped with your company logo to every staffer -- it creates waste and inspires frustration. Instead, if you have that money to spare, put it into the next paycheck or a gift card. If staffers are pushing to uphold gift-giving traditions, consider a white-elephant exchange, and make it the kind where you bring an item from home, not purchase something new. And if custom dictates that you absolutely must give something to your (greedy, planet-fucking) clients, look into green options geared toward corporations (see Resources, below).
The Big Step
Call the whole thing off. Follow the lead of companies like Viacom, which is giving employees extra paid days off this year instead of splurging on a holiday bash. Or look into a "Big Little Holiday Party" -- these collaborative events, catching on around the country, bring small groups together for one whopper of a good, impact-sharing time. Or hold your holiday party in January -- after the frenzy of the holiday season is over, when people need a diversion, and when food and facility costs aren't jacked up beyond all reason.
Whatever you do and however crunched your finances may be, be sure to show your employees the love. After all, where would you be without them?
A Green-Chic Event
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wolfgang Puck Catering and The Bridal Bar are set to host an eco-friendly evening of organic fare, organic cocktails and sustainable event décor at one of Wolfgang Puck’s special event spaces, The Annex at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesday, July 31st from 7pm to 10pm.
Overlooking the Hollywood skyline, guests will experience unparalleled organic cuisine by Wolfgang Puck Catering, eco-friendly cocktails by VeeV Spirits, green decor by Tic Tock Couture Florals, Classic Party Rentals, Arriba L&H, and LED Lighting by ELS Lighting. Guests will be welcomed into this wedding oasis by the sounds of RedShoe LA, toasting with martinis and mojitos infused with organic cucumber and dining on foods such as mascarpone, anis and black pepper-stuffed local figs and fresh, chilled lobster salad.
The event will expose attendees to inspiring and environmentally-friendly ways to plan for weddings and special events. The use of cloth cocktail napkins instead of paper, florals from local growers, and invitations on 100% cotton (or tree-free) paper; this event will feature the top designers and ideas in the world of green weddings.
In true green spirit, this event will also give back as after the evening has concluded. For every guest in attendance, a donation will be made to the Griffith Park Restoration Fund through TreePeople, a Los Angeles based non-profit dedicated to education, restoration and environmental healing. Our goal is to once again make Griffith Park a natural destination for weddings.
Wolfgang Puck Catering is a pioneer in the green event movement, providing quality foods with healthful benefits for its guests. “For Wolfgang Puck Catering, it’s all about WELL™. We are dedicated to treating our bodies, our produce and animals, our farm families, our purveyors and, always, our customers, well. We do so by striving to provide our customers, at any given price point, the freshest, organic and humanely-treated ingredients, the most delicious, innovative tastes, the best in genuine hospitality, and the highest-quality products we can. Only then can we truly meet Wolfgang’s standards for “Eat, Love, Live!” Marketing Director Clare Davis explains. On July 31st guests will experience Wolfgang’s love of life and living WELL™ first hand.
The Bridal Bar is an interactive event resource library in Los Angeles dedicated to assisting engaged couples to find their perfect vendor match. The Bridal Bar represents green event producers, florists, photographers, and caterers among others in a variety of price points, styles, and areas of expertise in order to assist every bride-to-be. The Bridal Bar’s services are complimentary to the public and many of their talented vendors’ works can be seen at Weddings by Wolfgang Puck on July 31st. The Bridal Bar, through its business practices, vendors, and educational outreach is dedicated to removing the footprint weddings make on our planet.
Wolfgang Puck Catering and The Bridal Bar are set to host an eco-friendly evening of organic fare, organic cocktails and sustainable event décor at one of Wolfgang Puck’s special event spaces, The Annex at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesday, July 31st from 7pm to 10pm.
Overlooking the Hollywood skyline, guests will experience unparalleled organic cuisine by Wolfgang Puck Catering, eco-friendly cocktails by VeeV Spirits, green decor by Tic Tock Couture Florals, Classic Party Rentals, Arriba L&H, and LED Lighting by ELS Lighting. Guests will be welcomed into this wedding oasis by the sounds of RedShoe LA, toasting with martinis and mojitos infused with organic cucumber and dining on foods such as mascarpone, anis and black pepper-stuffed local figs and fresh, chilled lobster salad.
The event will expose attendees to inspiring and environmentally-friendly ways to plan for weddings and special events. The use of cloth cocktail napkins instead of paper, florals from local growers, and invitations on 100% cotton (or tree-free) paper; this event will feature the top designers and ideas in the world of green weddings.
In true green spirit, this event will also give back as after the evening has concluded. For every guest in attendance, a donation will be made to the Griffith Park Restoration Fund through TreePeople, a Los Angeles based non-profit dedicated to education, restoration and environmental healing. Our goal is to once again make Griffith Park a natural destination for weddings.
Wolfgang Puck Catering is a pioneer in the green event movement, providing quality foods with healthful benefits for its guests. “For Wolfgang Puck Catering, it’s all about WELL™. We are dedicated to treating our bodies, our produce and animals, our farm families, our purveyors and, always, our customers, well. We do so by striving to provide our customers, at any given price point, the freshest, organic and humanely-treated ingredients, the most delicious, innovative tastes, the best in genuine hospitality, and the highest-quality products we can. Only then can we truly meet Wolfgang’s standards for “Eat, Love, Live!” Marketing Director Clare Davis explains. On July 31st guests will experience Wolfgang’s love of life and living WELL™ first hand.
The Bridal Bar is an interactive event resource library in Los Angeles dedicated to assisting engaged couples to find their perfect vendor match. The Bridal Bar represents green event producers, florists, photographers, and caterers among others in a variety of price points, styles, and areas of expertise in order to assist every bride-to-be. The Bridal Bar’s services are complimentary to the public and many of their talented vendors’ works can be seen at Weddings by Wolfgang Puck on July 31st. The Bridal Bar, through its business practices, vendors, and educational outreach is dedicated to removing the footprint weddings make on our planet.
Green is the New White
Thursday, December 13, 2007
When it comes to weddings, we all think of white. The bride wears white. The cake is white. Calla lilies and doves. But the hottest trend in weddings for 2008 won't be white - it'll be green, as in organic.
'Great Performances' On-Trend with “Eco-Friendly” Offerings
"Green" is the new white. Or at least figuratively speaking when it comes to recent trends in weddings. As more and more couples are seeking ways to incorporate organic, sustainable practices into their ceremonies and celebrations, white is taking a back seat to green. From “100-mile menus” to seasonal floral arrangements, wedding industry professionals are now offering engaged couples a whole host of green options. And none more so than Great Performances, one of New York’s most innovative and prominent catering / events concerns, distinguished by a singular dedication to locally grown food and sustainable agriculture.
The company, who recently inked a deal to operate all the banquet space at New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel, has seen the green trend really take off. As an Event Director for Great Performances, Porfi Figueroa has his finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the wedding industry. “Couples are now using more and more seasonal and organic products, and are coming up with creative ways to make use of what’s available. The Internet has been a huge factor in propelling the green wedding trend, as it provides an invaluable resource for researching ways to incorporate local / seasonal accents into events.” Figueroa once had a couple use banana leaves woven into plates to use for hors d’oeuvres, and in place of chargers.
Great Performances’ main wedding venue, Wave Hill, a 28-acre estate built in 1843 in the style of an English country residence with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Palisades, is an ideal location for those seeking to add an element of natural beauty to their event. The Riverdale location just outside Manhattan offers a green setting for a couple to exchange their vows, and while couples may choose the venue for its exceptional setting, they’re also able to offer their guests menus reflecting locally grown, organic produce, vegetables and meats, as Great Performances not only maintains strong relationships with local farmers, but also owns and operates Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY.
“Having the ability to source various ingredients from our own farm, as well as other local farms, gives couples the option of making their wedding a truly sustainable event,” says Christopher Harkness, Executive Chef of Great Performances. “Daily contact with local farmers, including our own at Katchkie Farm, ensures that we are in tune with what’s fresh and most seasonal. We offer our clients an organic experience and do our part to help support the local economy.”
And while the food and location can speak to a couples’ desire to go green on their big day, there are other aspects that can be “greened” as well. Figueroa suggests some of the following:
• Choose a signature cocktail, one that incorporates a seasonal bent and ties in with the general color scheme.
• Make your floral arrangements representative of your event locale; check if there’s a flower that’s unique to the area and incorporate it into your event.
• Simplify – look around at what’s blooming and growing and it will guide you to creating a seasonal and fresh menu.
Great Performances brings consummate culinary skill and originality to the table. The company, founded in 1979 by Liz Neumark, is an acknowledged leader in the high-profile events arena and the first caterer in the country to own and operate an organic farm as a year-round resource for locally grown produce. In addition to the company’s singular embrace of sustainable agriculture, Great Performances has carved a niche as the foodservice partner of some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including The Plaza, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Sotheby’s. Great Performances currently has seven establishments on its restaurant roster. For more information on Great Performances and its Katchkie Farm, visit www.greatperformances.com, www.katchkiefarm.com or call 212-727-2424.
When it comes to weddings, we all think of white. The bride wears white. The cake is white. Calla lilies and doves. But the hottest trend in weddings for 2008 won't be white - it'll be green, as in organic.
'Great Performances' On-Trend with “Eco-Friendly” Offerings
"Green" is the new white. Or at least figuratively speaking when it comes to recent trends in weddings. As more and more couples are seeking ways to incorporate organic, sustainable practices into their ceremonies and celebrations, white is taking a back seat to green. From “100-mile menus” to seasonal floral arrangements, wedding industry professionals are now offering engaged couples a whole host of green options. And none more so than Great Performances, one of New York’s most innovative and prominent catering / events concerns, distinguished by a singular dedication to locally grown food and sustainable agriculture.
The company, who recently inked a deal to operate all the banquet space at New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel, has seen the green trend really take off. As an Event Director for Great Performances, Porfi Figueroa has his finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the wedding industry. “Couples are now using more and more seasonal and organic products, and are coming up with creative ways to make use of what’s available. The Internet has been a huge factor in propelling the green wedding trend, as it provides an invaluable resource for researching ways to incorporate local / seasonal accents into events.” Figueroa once had a couple use banana leaves woven into plates to use for hors d’oeuvres, and in place of chargers.
Great Performances’ main wedding venue, Wave Hill, a 28-acre estate built in 1843 in the style of an English country residence with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Palisades, is an ideal location for those seeking to add an element of natural beauty to their event. The Riverdale location just outside Manhattan offers a green setting for a couple to exchange their vows, and while couples may choose the venue for its exceptional setting, they’re also able to offer their guests menus reflecting locally grown, organic produce, vegetables and meats, as Great Performances not only maintains strong relationships with local farmers, but also owns and operates Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY.
“Having the ability to source various ingredients from our own farm, as well as other local farms, gives couples the option of making their wedding a truly sustainable event,” says Christopher Harkness, Executive Chef of Great Performances. “Daily contact with local farmers, including our own at Katchkie Farm, ensures that we are in tune with what’s fresh and most seasonal. We offer our clients an organic experience and do our part to help support the local economy.”
And while the food and location can speak to a couples’ desire to go green on their big day, there are other aspects that can be “greened” as well. Figueroa suggests some of the following:
• Choose a signature cocktail, one that incorporates a seasonal bent and ties in with the general color scheme.
• Make your floral arrangements representative of your event locale; check if there’s a flower that’s unique to the area and incorporate it into your event.
• Simplify – look around at what’s blooming and growing and it will guide you to creating a seasonal and fresh menu.
Great Performances brings consummate culinary skill and originality to the table. The company, founded in 1979 by Liz Neumark, is an acknowledged leader in the high-profile events arena and the first caterer in the country to own and operate an organic farm as a year-round resource for locally grown produce. In addition to the company’s singular embrace of sustainable agriculture, Great Performances has carved a niche as the foodservice partner of some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including The Plaza, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Sotheby’s. Great Performances currently has seven establishments on its restaurant roster. For more information on Great Performances and its Katchkie Farm, visit www.greatperformances.com, www.katchkiefarm.com or call 212-727-2424.
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