10 Frugal Eco-Friendly Party Ideas
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Parties are part of our lives. Unfortunately, they are also one of the causes why our planet is dying.
How we typically party on special occasions creates so much trash and waste. To mention a few – plastic trash like straws, plastic cups, food containers, and even food leftovers.
We also use an extra amount of electricity for lights, sounds, and visual entertainment.
So we made a list of 10 eco-friendly party ideas that will let you have some fun, save money, and minimize harm to the environment.
Let’s take a look.
1. Shop for all party supplies in one go
Parties can have a long checklist of foods, drinks, utensils, and decorations, depending on the kind of party you will throw.
So a practical and eco-friendly way to pick up your party needs is to get them all at once.
Going to stores from time to time will be a waste of fuel which will cost you money can create more emissions.
But before going to store, make sure to have a party supply checklist to make sure you won’t miss anything.
2. Use eco-friendly party decorations
Let’s admit it, parties can be dull if there are no decorations.
But instead of opting for traditional party balloons and confettis, use eco friendly decorations.
Prioritize party decorations that you can use again as they are more economical.
If you can’t find reusable decorations, pick those that are made of recyclable or compostable materials.
To help you get started, learn how to make your own DIY eco-friendly confetti.
As for balloons, see if you can have a party without some.
Balloons are made of plastic, and there is no actual use for them after the party.
Instead of balloons, you can use party hats, lanterns, and posters made with recyclable paper.
You can also use materials at home and repurpose them into eco-friendly party decors.
They are not only better for the planet but also for your budget.
3. Have an online party
During the time of the pandemic, online parties became a trend.
And guess what?
Online parties are not only safe and convenient but also eco-friendly.
With an online party, you and your friends can have a chat and fun bonding sessions while creating virtually zero waste.
Just download a virtual meeting app to accommodate everyone, set a meeting time with your pals, set up a room where everyone can be present, and log in.
Having online parties will eliminate driving, lessening its emissions.
It will also be safer as you don’t have to go home with liquor intoxication, leading to accidents, or expose yourself with the ongoing corona virus.
There’s more!
Having virtual parties will also regulate noise that can disturb your neighbors.
4. Go for an intimate house party
Online parties can be great but if you’re seeking for physical contact with the special people in your life, you can throw a party.
But if we can keep it minimal, the better.
You can use your or your friend’s house to hold an intimate party of 5 or 8.
One of the benefits of an intimate house party is that you won’t need much entertainment.
Just the presence of your closest friends is enough to make the event super fun and memorable.
You can also prepare a small amount of food and drinks, just enough for all of you to consume.
Another benefit of an intimate house party is that it is more more eco-friendly than going to clubs or other venues.
Hopping from place to place will produce a lot of emissions, especially if everyone has their car.
Bars and clubs are usually crowded, meaning more unsupervised waste is produced, and many of club goers practice different kinds of bad vices, harmful for themselves and the environment.
In a house party, house owners can regulate rules to prioritize cleanliness and eco-consciousness.
5. Try other eco-friendly party venues
If your house isn’t suitable for a party, find another venue like parks, beach, or go camping.
(Discover the best eco-friendly camping tips here)
Outdoor venues for camping or a nearby beach is an eco-friendly party venue because they can be more energy-efficient than indoor venues.
They are also much cheaper, if not free than function halls and party venues.
As a matter of fact, many eco-conscious people are now having their weddings and baby showers outside to be more sustainable.
Concerning nature, always remember to clean the venue and leave it as clean as you came.
6. Try a carpool party
Here’s one of the unique eco friendly party ideas for adults.
Imagine you and your 4 other friends deciding to spend some time by riding in one care altogether – perhaps going to the beach or on a road trip.
Won’t that be special and memorable?
In fact, the journey to your destination could be more special, less expensive, and less harmful to the environment than going to the same place driving your own cars.
If you can plan a carpool party properly, it could be as fun as any other parties.
You can pick up snacks for the road, prepare some music you can sing along, and have a good time.
But while on the road, don’t forget that the real point is to minimize our impact as much as possible consciously while having a good time with your friends and family.
7. Use organic and local food ingredients
Instead of relying on junk foods and chips, grace your friends’ presence with good and nutritious food.
Why not prepare organic menu using local ingredients to keep you and your friends healthy.
You can also prepare zero waste snacks for them.
Aside from zero waste snacks, here are a few samples of organic and healthy finger foods that can accompany your drinks instead of the usual junk foods.
Organic party menu
Parmesan Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients: Cauliflower, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
Directions:
- Mix breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Cut cauliflower into bite-size pieces, dip it in whisked egg, then roll it in breadcrumbs mixture until fully coated.
- Bake it for 20-25 min at 400° F and serve it with your dip of choice.
Pork BBQ Skewers
Ingredients: Pork shoulder, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, tomato catsup, pepper, bamboo sticks
Directions:
- Cut pork shoulders into small pieces and marinate them with soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple, tomato catsup, and pepper mix in 30 minutes to an hour.
- Stick the pork cutlets to the bamboo sticks and grill. Brush the skewers with the marinade from time to time until cooked.
- Serve with vinaigrette.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients: Shrimp peeled, butter, garlic, chicken stock, lemon juice, parsley
Directions:
- Melt enough butter to fry the shrimp. Take it off the pan after.
- Melt another 3-5 tablespoons of butter on the same pan, then add garlic. After sauteing the garlic, add enough chicken stock for the sauce, then add lemon. Boil until slightly thick.
- Add in fried shrimp. Cook for 3-5 minutes in a very low fire, then serve.
These recipes can be prepared and cooked for less than an hour. Your friends will surely love these treats that will keep them healthy while being safe with the environment.
There are other options for organic and healthy finger foods online if you are looking for more recipes. You can ask your friends for their preferences, so you’ll know what to prepare.
8. Buy sustainable beverage brands
As more people are becoming aware of their impact on the environment, many businesses are now making their products using sustainable ingredients and eco-friendly production practices.
The same is true when it comes to party beverages.
And don’t worry, we are not talking about non-alcoholic drinks here.
We know that it is always a little more fun with beers and whiskeys in the party.
Fortunately, alcohol brands today have found ways to be more sustainable and eco-friendly, especially in ingredients sourcing.
So for your next eco-friendly party, here are some of the eco-friendly brands for alcohol that you can choose from:
- Ninkasi Brewing Company Cold Fermented Lager
- New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire Amber Ale
- Bruichladdich Single Malt Whiskey
- Montanya Rum Oro
These alcohol brands are known for their environmental awareness and campaigns that promote our planet’s wellness.
9. Use eco-friendly food utensils
By using eco-friendly food utensils, we minimize the possible waste that our party can produce.
During these parties, the usual plastic cups and utensils have always been the product choice. We all know how bad it is for the environment.
Most of disposable plastic cups, plates, spoons, and forks are not recycled.
The damage it has caused us is almost irreversible and if we don’t act as soon as possible, it can be too late to save our planet.
Fortunately, there are a lot of eco-friendly utensils that we can use during parties.
Besides eco-friendly utensils, there are also eco-friendly food containers and eco-friendly straws to choose from.
10. Practice an after-party cleaning session
By following the eco-friendly party ideas we’ve shared above, you will be able to enjoy quality bonding time with the special people in your life without feeling guilty for the planet.
And when the party is over, make it a habit to clean your party venue and dispose off trash properly.
Segregate compostable from recyclable waste, reuse those that can be reused.
This way, you won’t be littering trash in the environment.
Final Thoughts
While they are often associated with loud noises and trash, partying can be done responsibly.
And having an eco-friendly party might not sound “cool” to some, it should be the standard of all parties.
We have seen a lot of bad incidents caused by irresponsible partying. Soon, it will also be one of the causes why our environment’s state will be at very high risk.
All the eco-friendly party ideas in this article will be very effective in reducing environmental impact and they are also not hard to follow.
More importantly, they can even help you save money!
FAQs
Is it possible to have a zero-waste party?
It can be a challenge to have a zero waste party, but is possible. You can start by reducing plastic on your party, saving energy consumption, and planning meals.
What can I use instead of balloons for party?
Balloons are harmful to the environment and animals. Some of the eco-friendly alternatives to balloons include – paper bunting and banners, paper chains, pinwheels, flowers, and bubbles.
How to throw a plastic-free party?
Throwing a plastic-free party will be successful through collaboration between the host and the guests. The host’s responsibility is to ensure that all items in the party are plastic-free. Meanwhile, guests must be aware that it is a plastic-free party and must be responsible enough to follow the rule. That way, a plastic-free party will be possible.
