Eco-friendly Parties: 5 Hilarious Ideas for Invites and Gifts
Think of a party and invariably we think about food, gifts, and favors. If we are from the eco-friendly types then we also (and probably first) think about the trash generated by the use of single use plates, cutlery, napkins, gift wrappers, glitters, and undesired gifts and goodie bags.
I often think, can parties be eco-friendly? If I say no then obviously this blog post ends here. However, as an eternal optimist, my answer is yes and as a problem solver here are answers to how? ;)
It all starts with an invite! It is a no-brainer that the invite has to be digital. Adding a few pointers in the invite may actually make a lot of difference.
Idea 1: “No gifts, please! Bring your own water and napkin.”
Imagine how many bottles and single use glasses will be saved if this invite becomes a reality? When I was a kid, my grandfather often told us that they would carry their own water to weddings. In his youth (around 1930s) water was a scarce resource in India. People in some parts of the country had to walk miles for drinking water. So it was a common understanding that guests bringing their own water would be the best help of the host family. In India weddings are a family affair :).
Idea2: “Please bring empty containers to carry excess food with you”.
Imagine the food waste after all the guests have eaten? If an invite welcomes you to bring empty containers it would save a lot of food, provided it is delicious;).
Idea3: “No material gifts, please. Carbon credits are welcome!”
Idea 4: “ Gift any amount to the kid’s college fund”
There is always a good possibility that people give identical or similar toys to children. Clothes not fitting perfectly is another common occurrence. If not, the above cases, there is still a chance that the gift is not desirable for various reasons like quality, color, material, philosophy, etc. So there is a high chance that the gift may be of a little use along with its wrapping
When gifts like carbon credits or college fund are welcomed by the hosts, gifting becomes easier for the guests. Such gifts are great to prepare for the kid’s future. Additionally, they don’t create any waste (a downside being, nor do they create any anticipation and excitement of gift opening;)
Idea5: “4 hours or more of babysitting by us.”
If you want to give a baby shower gift, gifting some of your time for babysitting would possibly be the best gift for the parents to be(provided they like you;). The baby will also get to know different people and learn from them.
There is a proverb that says, “it takes a village to raise a child” — changing the way we give and accept gifts, and host parties could be our opportunity to build that village. A village that loves and cares about the planet and people beyond the material world.
