How to host a sustainable seasonal celebration

Throughout the year there are opportunities to host fun-filled seasonal celebrations, and what better reason to get all your loved ones together than with a party to remember?

Douglas Benedict Photography (florals by Allium Floral Design)

For eco-conscious hosts, it’s important to ensure each element of a celebration is as sustainable as can be. To help you pull off the perfect party that’s both enjoyable and kind to the planet, here are three helpful tips you should follow.

Use repurposed items

There’s lots of small items (such as decorations) that go into pulling off a celebration, and while buying them new can seem like an effective way to minimise event planning stress, knowing that you’ve done your bit by repurposing what you already have is well worth it. Plus, it’s often a lot easier to do than you think.

For example, one eco-friendly tip for the Christmas season is to get creative by cutting up old cards to use for your gift tags in December. Of course, don’t forget the more basic items you’ll need year round – cloths made from old pieces of clothing can replace single-use paper towels for sustainable party clean-ups in all seasons or be used to create reusable bunting.

Rent your furniture and accessories

Whether you’re having a large celebration that requires additional seating arrangements or simply want to level up your aesthetic for a get-together at home, renting beautiful furniture and accessories may just be the answer.

For a rustic party think boho rugs and rattan side tables, or for a vintage look, choose unusual objects that’ll bring your theme to life, like assorted retro suitcases. This way, you can achieve the look you want, while ensuring minimal harm to the environment. Remember, buying these items new could mean contributing to harmful practices – it can be helpful to keep the material of the piece in mind when deciding whether or not to purchase any kind of furniture.

Rented items are a great option no matter the season. Just be sure to follow rental guidance, such as by making sure certain items are sheltered during rainier seasons.

Serve seasonal produce

A plant-based menu is one of the most sustainable ways to dine, but no matter your dietary requirements or preferences, serving seasonal produce can go a long way in boosting your celebration’s eco credentials. Choose homegrown seasonal produce where possible, because it means there’s the further benefit of reducing the carbon emissions that are usually associated with shipped ingredients.

A great bonus is that your seasonal menu will likely align perfectly with your celebration. For example, winter festivities pair well with hearty root vegetables (think Christmas-style roast potatoes, chestnuts and sprouts), while guests are bound to enjoy a summer fruit parfait during the warm wedding season.

Ready to get planning?

Each season brings a big occasion worth celebrating, whether that’s Easter, Halloween, Christmas, loved ones’ birthdays or even special life milestones. No matter the kind of party you’re planning, do so with the planet in mind, and opt for sustainable practices. You could even make sustainability a theme of your celebration, to encourage your guests to make more mindful choices of their own.