Celebrating Outside: Throwing an Eco-Friendly Outdoor Nature Party
7.5 minute read
Feeling stressed from searching for the perfect venue? Finding a place to party can be a painstaking experience, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s true that gathering indoors has its advantages: comfortable seating, readily accessible restrooms, coverage from inclement weather, and more. But why not consider going all-in on going out? Celebrating the environment, while celebrating in the environment.
A party without walls leads to expansive possibilities, good flow, and can even cut back on costs—both financial and environmental. At Greener Gatherings we know that with a little creativity and an open minded, eco-conscious approach, you can throw a memorable outdoor gathering that honors the guests and the environment. Here are a few tips on how to celebrate outside while celebrating the outdoors.
Review Your Outdoor Options
Check out the locations in your proximity and consider such criteria such as whether they are centrally located for guests, transit friendly, and have basic amenities like restrooms, parking, and nearby shelter. Some options that may be close to you are:
Local Parks and Nature Reserves: These places are often well-maintained and provide natural beauty without the need for elaborate decorations. Many offer ways to reserve space in advance for a small fee or even for free. And many have gazebos or other structures that help with protecting party supplies from wind or rain.
Backyards and Gardens: Hosting in your own space can reduce transportation emissions and allows for easier, personal touches.
Beach: While not for everyone, and not always near everyone, with some advanced logistical planning and picnic style atmosphere, a beach gathering, can make for lasting memories.
Community Gardens: Some community gardens allow small groups to gather, especially if you’re a member or volunteer. They’re unique, colorful, inspirational, and you can enjoy the local greenery.
Incorporate Nature in Your Activities
Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts: These activities encourage guests to explore and appreciate the environment around them.
Outdoor Games: Set up eco-friendly games like sack races, tug-of-war, or Frisbee. Corn hole, badminton, and volleyball work well for those seeking more competition, and simple games like hide-and-seek or tag require no equipment and work for all ages and skill levels.
Eco-Crafts: Offer crafts using natural or recycled materials, such as making leaf prints or building bird feeders.
Bird Watching or Wildlife Spotting: Have binoculars and guidebooks on hand for guests to spot local birds or other wildlife. You could even plan a “wildlife bingo” with prizes for spotting common local animals. Who doesn’t love shouting out “BINGO”!
Planting Station: Bring small pots, soil, and seeds or saplings for guests to plant and take home. Herbs or native wildflowers work well, and these also double as your party favors!
Leave No Trace Clean-Up Challenge: Make a game out of tidying up the area by providing small bags for each guest and offering a prize for the most litter collected. It’s a fun way to end the party and leave the space even better than you found it.
Outdoor Entertainment
Live Music or Acoustic Sets: Hire local musicians or have a friend play acoustic music to reduce power usage.
Storytelling and Singing: Embrace traditional entertainment forms that don’t require electronics. One Greener Gatherer attended a birthday party that had an outdoor variety show and required every guest to participate. It was a blast!
Outdoor Cinema: If you’re set on a screen, use a solar-powered projector and show nature documentaries or eco-themed films.
Stargazing (if it’s an evening event): Bring telescopes or just a few blankets, and let guests enjoy the stars as they put on their show. Apps like Star Walk can help identify constellations, and it’s a perfect way to wind down the party.
Give Back to Nature
Tree Planting: Since using balloons or confetti risk leaving harmful scraps behind, and states like Florida now ban releasing balloons, consider alternatives like a tree-planting ceremony to leave a lasting, positive impact on the environment. Or toss flower petals or other natural items instead. Learn more about the impact of balloons here in our Substack article Bursting the Bubble.
Eco-Friendly Party Favors: In lieu of party favors, consider an alternative, like a planting station or not having party favors at all. But if you feel this is a must (we understand the desire to thank your guests!), choose items that are sustainable, such as packets of native wildflower seeds, beeswax wraps, reusable straws, or handmade soaps. Or stick with the outdoor theme and provide outdoor necessities like a reusable water bottle made from recycled material, a sustainably sourced rain poncho, or a hand-crafted walking stick. Looking for more alternatives for party favors? Check out our Substack article Consider Saying Goodbye to Goody Bags.
Mindful Waste Management
Composting: If your venue or municipality supports composting, set up a compost bin for organic waste like food scraps and biodegradable utensils. If in a public park, find out if the park has a bin you can use to save you some hauling.
Reduce Single-Use Items: Encourage guests to bring their own reusable water bottles or provide a water station with biodegradable cups.
Rent or Borrow: from local companies or find out if you have a Party Kit of reusable dishes near you, by checking out the Party Kit network.
Throwing an eco-friendly outdoor party can be a meaningful and enjoyable way to celebrate. By choosing sustainable practices and encouraging guests to be mindful of their impact, you can create a gathering that celebrates our planet, while celebrating any and all other occasions. An outdoor party not only sets the bar for a great time, but also serves as a testament to the harmony of nature and celebration.
Have an outdoor celebration idea you want to share? Leave us a comment!