Show some love for Mother Nature by throwing an Earth Day party. We’ve got tips for keeping it eco-friendly!
Invitations
Send a digital Evite invitation and save a tree! Spread word about your outdoor gathering with the free, nature-loving invitation below, this free, blue and green, floral-themed invitation or this free wilderness invitation. Check out our Outdoor Fun invitation gallery for more designs.
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Decorations
Keep your Earth Day decor au naturel. The color scheme should reflect tones found in nature, so opt for shades of green, gold and brown. Tablecloths in a natural fiber such as unbleached muslin add an airy touch and keep the party from looking too polished or austere. Scatter candles made of natural beeswax or infused with citronella across tabletops for added light and ambience.
Don’t forget that this holiday encourages everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle. Decorations like streamers and balloons that will get trashed after your party don’t exactly say earth-friendly. Keep disposables to a minimum, and set up plenty of recycling bins for paper, plastic and aluminum waste instead of general trash cans. (If you’re really crafty, why not bring out some of last month’s non-shamrock-shrouded St. Patrick’s Day decorations? They’re green and recycled!)
Send guests home with party favors that encourage them to conserve. An energy-efficient light bulb, a reusable tote bag for groceries and a decorative list of local curbside recycling services can prompt your guests to jump-start a greener lifestyle.
Preparation
Earth Day naturally lends itself to an outdoor party, but don’t fret if your abode doesn’t have plenty of outdoor space. You can always have your guests meet at a local park. Keep in mind that Earth Day is prime time for activities in public recreation areas. Check with your city’s Department of Parks and Recreation to make sure your chosen destination isn’t already hosting another large event.
Remember to have some insect repellent on hand to keep Earth’s bounty of bugs and mosquitoes at bay. Echo your party’s all-natural theme by selecting a bug spray that’s paraben- and DEET-free.
Be sure to keep in mind that April’s weather can be a bit of a loose cannon. Add an alternate indoor location to your Evite invitation so guests know where to go if the forecast hinders your al fresco bash.
Activities
Earth Day games can be a fun way to emphasize the importance of protecting the environment. Here are some activities that will have your guests seeing green:
- Test your guests’ knowledge with an Earth Day trivia game. Know what brand car is most eco-friendly? How many tons of waste Americans produce each year? Do a little pre-party research and you’ll have plenty of facts to entertain and spread a little eco-awareness.
- Plan an outdoor scavenger hunt. Send your guests out to retrieve a list of items found in nature, such as acorns, pinecones or even an earthworm. Add litter to the list and the game doubles as a neighborhood beautification project.
- See which guest can turn trash into treasure. Use milk jugs, grocery bags, aluminum cans and other recyclables to create sculptures that can be used as centerpieces.
You can also host an earth-friendly spa party. You and your guests can create natural beauty remedies with things you probably already have around the house. Try these beauty tips:
- Wash hair with lemon juice for shine
- Cleanse skin with egg whites, which are known for their clarifying properties
- Combine oatmeal and honey for a naturally gentle face scrub
- Make your own body scrub with coconut oil and sugar
Food
Let local farmers’ market ingredients inspire the menu for your fête. But supermarket fare can easily be jazzed up as well. Fresh herbs, diced tomatoes and a little minced garlic take store-bought hummus from simple to savory. Serve this earthy dip with crudités and toasted pita wedges.
Also select environmentally friendly ingredients when shopping for your food. Some key words and phrases to look for include:
- Organic
- All-natural
- Free-range
- Fair-trade
- Pesticide-free
Drinks
Green Tea Punch
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 pint lemon juice
- 1 quart strong green tea
- 2 quarts white grape juice
- 1 block of ice
- 2 quarts chilled club soda
Combine all ingredients except soda and refrigerate for at least an hour. Pour over ice in a punch bowl and add the club soda. Makes about 45 servings when using four-ounce punch glasses.
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