Green Party

Make your next gathering stylish and socially conscious

Throwing a green party doesn't mean singing kumbaya and sipping homemade mead (though that could be a crazy good time). "You can have a great party and protect the environment," says Danny Seo, author of the Simply Green book series. Here are his top tips for hosting an eco friendly fête that will appeal to the masses.


RENT A PARK, A ZOO, OR EVEN LONGFELLOW'S HOUSE Instead of dumping your event's facility fee into another chain hotel, look into alternative venues in your area that will use the money to fund conservation, education, and facility upkeep. Plus there's the intrinsic thrill of sipping red wine near rare documents and swing dancing through a herd of water buffalo.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY Stock your liquor cabinet with organic wine , beer, and hard alcohol.

MINIMIZE TRASH You can buy 200 paper plates from the local party supply store, or invest in recycled plastic ones that are reusable and dishwasher-safe. Preserve Tableware's plates are made from discarded yogurt cups and come in lilac, pear green, and tulip red.

TURN IT DOWN Not the Robin Thicke; the thermostat--to 67 or 68 degrees before guests arrive. They won't notice (lots of bodies generate heat), plus you'll boost the environment and your bank account. In fact, do this for 8 hours every evening, instead of just those big party nights, and you'll save 5 to 15 percent off your annual heating bill.

DO DAMAGE CONTROL When it comes to cleaning up spilled beer and bean dip, you can buy stock in Brawny or use microfiber towels. Available at home improvement or auto stores, they're more absorbent than their paper counterparts, and they're also machine washable.

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