Entertaining
Entertaining can vary from an extended visit from out-of-town friends and family to a fancy one-night shindig. If the evening requires entertaining a large group of people, turn the heat down before your guests arrive. Lots of people in the house create a lot of body heat.
Depending on the theme, consider whether decorating is necessary. If you do need some zing, make your decorations. Create banners from recycled newsprint. Homemade banners are much more personal than mass-produced ones, and large rolls of recycled newsprint can be used for the banner and then reused as drawing paper throughout the year. One way to make birthday-party decorations more special is to make a photo collage of the birthday celebrant.
Conservative Cooking
It might be difficult to think of ways to conserve when planning a party. No one wants to look like a Scrooge or a tightfisted host. Consider cutting behind-the-scenes corners that will conserve energy, natural resources, and money.
Don't overcook. Meals should be planned according to the guest list. Consider who will eat what and what portions are appropriate. Don't feel obligated to offer guests every potential appetizer or entrée under the sun. There's no need to overfeed guests either. The holiday season is a time most people struggle with temptations and add extra pounds, so eliminating enticements may not be such a bad idea.
The ULS Report includes serving recommendations for traditional holiday dinners. A twelve- to fourteen-pound turkey should serve up to ten people. Each person is likely to eat a quarter-pound of stuffing, green beans, and sweet potato casserole, but don't expect them to eat any more than three tablespoons of cranberry relish.
Don't throw leftovers away. Send them home with guests, pack them into your own refrigerator or freezer, or donate them to a shelter. Turkey carcasses and ham bones make for great soup. If there is a whole pie or untouched leftover, donate it to a local food bank. If leftovers outlive their useful life in the fridge, add them to the compost bin. However, meat and processed foods are not good for a compost bin if it is not rat proof.
Dishing It Out
It may mean extra work for you, but think about hosting the event with reusable dishes instead of disposable dishes. If it's a particularly formal event, borrow or rent dishes rather than buy them. When washing up after the affair, fully load the dishwasher to get the most out of the hot water. Put out separate bins for recyclables and label them so guests know where to toss their glass, plastic, and aluminum.
