Green Living

This holiday season feels a little different. The economy is still in the tank, troops are far away and I’ve noticed fewer light displays in my neighborhood. But it doesn’t have to be all gloom; we can still gather and celebrate the good things we have—like each other. Better yet, we can make sure our holiday parties are infused with green, creative, independent spirit!

Here are some ways to consider going green while daring to be different at get-togethers this time around.

*Don’t worry about perfect decorations. I like to carry in a rosemary bush and hang a sprig of makeshift mistletoe. Voila.  If you prefer to go more distance with your decor, how about a recycled cardboard tabletop Christmas tree? If investing in festive twinkle lights, opt for LEDs here. Your local hardware store may also carry them and these strings will save a bundle year and after year. Here’s another one: make a wreath out of found objects. You could use fallen leaves, cans, buttons, discarded packaging or long unfashionable t-shirts to make something truly unique sans new materials. Here are some more DIY wreath ideas from alpha+mom’s recycle bin.

*Do you do an annual gift exchange with friends, co-workers or relatives? What about opting for a pitch-in charitable gift instead? I’ve been digging Oxfam’s can of worms and sweet on its honeybees for farmers.

There are so many options depending on what fills your heart (like Heifer International, Kiva, Global Giving projects or locals like 826LA, TreePeople or the Los Angeles Mission.)  If you are giving tangible gifts, encourage guests to think outside the box in terms of wrapping and lead by example. What about using worn out flannels from high school [via Readymade? Or plain, but charming newspaper? As for what’s in the box, check out our gift guide or scavenge a local green, fair trade or independent design store. Plus, you can always resurrect the White Elephant, with a twist, where everybody brings something they own and don’t want but is actually cool or useful to exchange.

*Forget about disposables. The easiest way to go in terms of edibles is to choose those that don’t even need plates or utensils. Think finger foods that only require opposable thumbs and cloth napkins. You can buy local fruit (pears and mandarin oranges—yum!), grab some pecans from your farmers’ market, whip up my favorite vegan pumpkin muffins or swing by your preferred bakery for ever-popular cupcakes in seasonal flavors (I often go to Lark when not baking myself, or order Spork Foods’ vegan sweeties).

*For libations, a friend of mine makes delicious mulled wine every year. Hot apple cider works beautifully too. You can substitute for organic ingredients and you’re good to go. (There are a number of organic liquor brands on shelves as well.) For glasses or mugs? You can probably round up enough from your cupboards, splurge at the Goodwill or even ask guests to bring their own.

*We like pingg for virtual invitations that sing. Well, they don’t actually sing but they look really nice.

*Carpool, take public transportation or, if it’s close enough, don your coat and boots, drop your bag in your basket and pedal on over.

*As for apparel, how about holding a dress swap before the parties get started? Your find will be new to you and free of charge. Plus, what’s more fun than a bunch of girls trying on clothes in someone’s living room?

*If you believe in bringing a host/hostess gift, make it something creatively conscious. A packet of Seeds of Change , perhaps, or some (preferably local-ish) organic beer like Eel River. A natural, beeswax candle to add to the night’s ambience would be lovely too. And there’s always home-concocted food to share.

Okay party people, what are your ways of being unconventional, creative and green?

Images via popdeluxe, oxfarm, readymade, oxfarm and flickr.