Ecoccasions

Entertainment can be make or break for an event.  Choosing the right type for the occasion and finding a quality entertainer for your event can be hard work.  There are a great many entertainers out there but what makes them more environmentally friendly? 

Many companies and organisations now have environmental policies so a quick look on their website will tell you how they try and run their business using a more sustainable methods.  The type of entertainment, transport methods and locality to your venue can all contribute to a greater or lesser carbon footprint.

Some entertainment is not only brilliant but supports local groups.  I came across one of the best music and dance groups I have seen in ages at the park fair at my old stomping ground.  Kinetika Bloco summer school provides a two week period during the summer for 14-25 year olds – and out of that the professionalism of these youngsters provided a varied performance of carnival dance and song backed by fantastic music and costumes.  The crowd was entralled.   Booking groups like this, who have to raise fund to exist help the groups to continue and the hundreds of young people involved.

That’s just one example.  Check out what’s available local to you and don’t just think inside the box!

I love making a receiving handmade cards and gifts – it is so personal.  My son is our card-factory at home and gets on the case whenever there is a birthday, Christening or any occasion that deserves one of his handmade masterpieces.  The beauty, apart from unleashing your creative juices flowing - and perhaps dragging the kids from the TV for a few moments is that you know exactly what materials are being used.  You can get prepared by stocking up with a batch of recycled cards and envelopes.  After that you draw, paint or reuse and recycle all you want by creating a collage. 

Eco Emporia have some great gifts full stop, but if you are feeling a wee bit creative then check out packs to make your own gifts and cards.

Why are we talking about nappies? Not very exciting in terms of a present for a new mum, a newborn or a toddlers birthday come to that!    Well, I have two young children and I have to say that I prefer going to parties where people give me an idea of what they would like for their children.  We have so many toys that are left uplayed with.  And how many unwanted presents are taken straight back to the shop – or charity shop – or eventually the dump.  Not very green me thinks!

So, it may sound boring but I reckon that if you’re going to buy something for yourselves or others we should be practical – be green – waste less – and we all know that any young child would much prefer to play with the packing rather than the latest amazing new miracle brain expanding invention inside don’t we!

So, that is why we are talking nappies.  And I haven’t tried all of the disposable brands so help me out if you can, but I know these ones are good as they have been tried and tested by my little ones. 

Disposable eco-nappies have improved so much over the last few years.  I love the Nature Babycare nappies which I buy from Boots.   They come in all sizes and now do pull-ons which are great.  My local Boots doesn’t stock all sizes or the pull-ups so shopping online is a good idea.

If you want to make your gift a little more personal why not make a card or gift yourself to add to the package (check out some ideas). 

Look out for more practical gifts (and therefore more environmentally friednly gifts) – I’m sure they will be very much appreciated!

Nick

If you want to take into consideration the journeys of delegates and speakers as well as the environmental and social policies of venues themselves this is a good place to start.  

The Conference People will find the right venue for your event.  Having researched worldwide and shortlisted the greenest venues, The Conference People will help you find a venue suitable to your needs and in line with your environmentally friendly and socially responsible principles.

My wedding favours were simple. Just a bar of Fair-Trade Divine chocolate, a selection of plain, white and milk at every setting.  I bought these from Tariro by the box.  The heart logo makes these a cheap and cheerful favour and helps to spread the word I felt to those who hadn’t come across a Fair-Trade choc before!

Recycled favour boxes can hide away little treasures of your choice.

Write a comment and share what and who you used to make yours a more eco-friendly wedding.

I used a lovely straw flecked paper for my place names.  This hand made card had straw pieces running through which gave a fabulous gold shimmer in places mixed a rustic hand-made look.

For our table plan I printed the lists on the 100% recycled paper which was used inside the invitations and stuck them on a hand-made sheet of wrapping paper from Tariro.  This large piece was perfect and made a simple but beautiful table plan laced with dried bougainvillaea – the same type of flower petals we used for our confetti – and our wedding photo album.

First impressions are always so important.  I wanted our invitations to say something personal about us in the way they looked and made.  I found the most fabulous 100% recycled card and paper to use and found the choice is getting better all the time.

We had quite a package for the invitation which included cards with an inner page and matching envelopes, as well as an information sheet (or two).  We put all the information on a website but just knew we’d get loads of calls if the information wasn’t there in black and white!  I didn’t feel so bad as all the card and paper was 100% recycled!

I went for ivory paper from a small efficient stationary company called Recycled Paper Supplies.  The website is straighforward to use and the stock is displayed online.  Ordering a sample is a must unless you know the range – this helped me make a decision on which colour, texture and thickness to use.  Ready scored greeting cards are a great bonus when you’ve got a few (hundred!) invitations to make and don’t forget to order the recylced address lables!

Search through the selections, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.

The card I used for the place names was gorgeous and what about favour boxes?

If you run, know of, or have used a great eco-company who specialise in anything Ecoccasions then email me now!

If it’s not your company then write a review and include the relevant website link.

If you run a company with an eco-conscience then provide us with the website details and write a blurb on how you can help people plan and supply for event to make them more green.  We’ll be in touch before publishing a post advertising your business.   This is free advertising for green companies to give those lesser known companies with eco-ethics more publicity and provide people with a great opportunity to find great eco-businesses who provide eco-friendly catering, gifts, holidays, venues and more. . .

The World Land Trust offer you the facility to carbon neutralize fixed events such as small parties.   Donate to support a charity working toward a great global cause and help reduce your carbon footprint. 

Party max, carbon neutral!

We make an effort to pick out and promote small and family run businesses.

Jem Winston owns and runs Rosalie forest Eco Lodge Hotel in Dominica.   Accommodation varies from a self-contained cottage to a bamboo tree house, jungle cabins to staying with a local family – and also include camping a dormatary style accommodation.  The emphasis is on living among nature with as little disruption as possible – a perfect eco-holiday.

It looks amazing!  Remember, if you have been to Rosalie forest Eco Lodge Hotelor any other eco-holiday please leave a comment and share your experience.

You can also check out eco-friendly tree house holidays in India and South Africa and Kenya.

If you’re heading on an eco-friendly holiday but still flying long haul why not carbon neutralize yourself?