Season's Greenings

How to throw an eco-friendly holiday party

Photos by Mint Events

Most people dream of a white Christmas. You, however, are leaning more toward green.

Perhaps the thought of killing entire trees is giving you pause. Or the piles of torn wrapping paper come Christmas morning. Either way, you'd like to save the excess for actual partying and not end up with a lot of waste.

Don't pull the plug on your holiday plans just yet. According to eco-friendly event planners Stacey Levine and Laura Ayers, small changes to your routine can make a big difference. Below, they share a few easy tips on how to throw a green holiday party.

Forget what Kermit says. It's easier than you think.

1// Use real or compostable dinnerware and cloth napkins and tablecloths. Try bamboo plates and cutlery from Whole Foods Market (bamboo's rapid growth makes it more renewable than other trees) and this apple red hemstitch napkin from Pier 1 Imports.

2// Serve up organic or locally-sourced treats. Biting Commentary lists several recommendations here. (We're partial to The Kahala Hotel & Resort's scrumptious stollen.)

3// Send paperless invitations and holiday greeting cards. Try Paperless Post and Pingg.

4// Make your own upcycled Christmas decorations, like the wine cork Christmas tree table topper featured above. Gather up your used wine corks and stack them in rows using a hot glue gun or straight pins. Saw off the bulbous end of a champagne cork, attach it as a tree trunk, then embellish the top with ribbons, sequins or any other decorative item you have on hand.

For more green DIY decorating tips, click here.

Stacey Levine and Laura Ayers run Mint Events, an eco-friendly event planning company in Honolulu.