Living Green

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, have you made your plans yet? With so many people out of work or just returning to work, going out to celebrate at a restaurant, bar or other venue may not fit everyone’s budget.

However, there are alternatives for ringing in the New Year without spending half your paycheck or regretting the cost of going out with friends. You can forgo the tasteless plastic glasses and party hats, and host your own simple and eco friendly New Year’s Eve party at home.

Stop looking, and start planning for an easy green party with simple decorations and party menu for your friends and family. Simple recycled party favors and easy to make appetizers will both surprise your guests and make you the ultimate party host this year.

7 Steps to planning a simple and green New Year’s Eve party at home

Invite your guests via email, social media (create an Event on Facebook) or call them personally. You’ll save paper by not sending out paper invitations, save on postage and your friends are more likely to check their Inbox or social media profile than their mailbox.
Tell your guests to bring their favorite libation, party favors or favorite party snack. Even if a few of your friends bring something to share, it will save you money by not having to make everything.
Provide several recycled items for guests to make their own party favors. Ask your neighbors too if they have any of these items to make simple recycled favors:  paper towel or toilet paper tubes, aluminum pie tins, plastic food containers. Add some dried beans or rice to these items and secure them together with glue or staples and Voila you have noisemakers that won’t harm the environment after you’re done with them. Bring out the markers, stickers, shredded paper, string and twist ties, so that your guests can decorate their eco friendly noisemakers. Offer a prize for best decorated party favor too!
Choose a couple budget friendly appetizers to satisfy hungry guests. Whip up a simple homemade bowl of hummus, tofu guacamole, or a layered Mexican dip. Buy organic blue tortilla chips, bagel chips, and prepare bite-sized veggies from your local farmer’s market or independent grocer.
Prepare a variety of organic and homemade mixed drinks for guests to sample. Buy or make your own flavored liquor and mix with juice or a generic soda. Popular mixed drinks include Black Pearl Cocktail, Lemon Drop Cocktail, and a Champagne Cocktail (with pear and pomegranate juice, and sugar) to ring in the new year. Other libations include buying local brew from a local small brewery (ask about returning the bottles too or recycle them).
Eliminate paper waste, and go green with glass or stoneware. Bypass the paper cups, plates and napkins and use an assortment of your own dinnerware; don’t worry it doesn’t have to match either. You’ll save money and reduce the need for additional trash bags too by using glass or stoneware dishes.
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party at your home is safer than traveling the city streets after a night out. You can also provide a designated driver for any guests who are not fit to drive themselves home, or provide a comfortable space for them on the couch or the guest bedroom.

Follow these simple steps to have a festive green and budget-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration that will leave you feeling joyous and guilt-free for spending less, but giving more to the environment. Be green, live simply.