With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, everyone is looking forward to the festivities and celebrating. Considering all the green that will be around, choose to make this year’s celebration a little greener by hosting an inventive, eco-friendly St Patrick’s Day party. There are a lot of ways to throw a really “green” celebration. Here are a few:
Buy organic or local beer. When considering the environment, local choices cut down on transportation pollutants while organic choices cut down on pesticide pollutant. Either choice cuts carbon. But if you can find a local, organic beer, it’s the best of both worlds and tastes great.
Stop by the Raisin Rack, Whole Foods Market, or Trader Joe’s and check out their selections. They also offer organic root beer and ginger beer if you plan on making this St. Patrick’s Day an alcohol free one. Don’t forget to recycle all glass bottles and aluminum cans.
Think hard about buying decorations. Year after year, the money spent on decorating for the holidays goes up. If any money is going to be spent on decorations, purchase decorations that will last and can be reused again and again for multiple holidays.
Include more green plants this year in your decorations. Consider DIY decorating projects that reuse and re-purpose items in the house. For some eco-friendly St. Patrick’s Day craft ideas look on Earth911 and kid-friendly ideas from Jenn Savedge at MNN.
Add a little natural green. For all the green cupcakes, cookies, and beers, choose a naturally-derived food dye. Commonly used artificial food coloring is developed from petroleum and contains tar. Some are known carcinogens. Using a naturally-derived food dye is better for the environment and your body.
Buy organic and seasonal foods. When making your favorite dishes, include ingredients that are also good for the environment and for you. Epicurious.com offers some delicious St. Patrick’s recipes that you can vamp with organic/seasonal foods. Consider making all vegetarian dishes to reduce your carbon foot print.
Give something green to take home. If you plan on decorating with lush, green plants, consider giving party favors that are also green. Include seed packets of organic herbs with a small, inexpensive pot and wrapped in recycled newspaper.
Dress in the best "green." If you are still looking for that perfect green dress to wear, look into your local vintage store or consignment shop. Déja Vu is a women’s consignment shop located in Uptown Westerville. In today’s eco-conscious world it is also a lot easier to find organic, sustainable clothes options.
Whether celebrating with friends or family, make this St. Patrick’s Day better for the environment and you. Put your best "green" foot forward.
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