Every year, Yellow Scene Magazine rounds up the best of our local community with our Annual Locavore Holiday Guide. This year, we give an extra focus on eco-giving, including how to host an eco-friendly party.

Hosting an eco-friendly party

Parties are notoriously wasteful, often resulting in piles of trash and excessive food waste. They’re a marker of overconsumption and consumerism across the country. While an essential part of supporting planet health is to reduce overconsumption and reuse materials that are available to us, there are still lots of approaches that contribute to better spending habits. Here are a few ways to become a more eco-conscious party host and a list of local eco-friendly gifts you can bring to support a green future.

Hosting an eco-friendly party is not only better for the environment, but it’s also likely to be more cost-effective since it commonly involves recycled or renewable strategies. Common tactics that eco-conscious hosts might implement could include repurposing items like bed sheets and turning them into table cloths or napkins and prioritizing seasonal food ingredients. Additional ways to host an eco-friendly party include:

1. Sending digital invitations instead of paper invitations

Snail mail is cute, but delivering it isn’t exactly carbon effective. One way that eco-conscious hosts can cut down on energy expenditure is by sending digital invitations on platforms like Paperless Post or Evite. The other perk of using this method is that your friends and loved ones don’t have to wait to get a notice in the mail.

2. Use sustainable decorations to reduce waste

Everyone loves balloons and paper garlands, but the reality is that those types of decorations quickly end up caught in a tree or nestled in a landfill, wearing out their welcome long after the celebration concludes. Fortunately, you don’t have to entirely give up on decorations to host an eco-friendly party. Instead you might use eco-friendly lights to brighten the space, natural decorations like evergreen needles, and renewable textiles to bring joy to the event. This is a great way to hone your creativity while supporting positive outcomes for the planet.

Over the years, balloons have been used as a symbol of celebration, contributing to a festive feel. Yet the reality is that balloons are simply not eco-friendly. In fact, balloons frequently contribute to pollution since they often escape from the hands of the person that carries them, floating into a nearby tree. The materials out of which they are constructed are also not biodegradable, which means that once they end up in that tree (or a landfill), they generally stay for a long, long time. Balloons also use helium, which is not a renewable resource. Instead of using balloons as a decoration, celebrations could be marked with items like lanterns or paper balloons.

3. Use reusable or compostable dishes and cutlery

We know. Using reusable dishes and cutlery increases the amount of work that the party host has to do once the event is finished. But the environment will thank you for keeping those paper plates out of landfills. If reusable dishes and silverware are simply not an option, an alternative could involve the use of compostable plates and forks.

4. Avoid single-use drinks

One of the biggest and most obvious contributors to party waste comes from single-use drinks. While soda cans and water bottles provide convenience, the grab-and-go style comes at a cost to the environment. One way to avoid this reality is by opting to use reusable cups and bulk drinks such as those that come in 2-liter or gallon-sized containers. You might even encourage your guests to bring their own cups — they’ll be able to keep track of which drink is theirs, and you’ll have fewer items to wash.

5. Serve local food

The more local the food, the better it is for the environment. This could mean working with a local catering company, encouraging guests to bring their favorite homemade dish, or buying from farmers markets and local grocers to reduce the amount of travel your food does before it gets to you.

6. Go meatless

Let’s face it: Meat is delicious, but it comes with a pretty significant impact. Not only does the production of it come with substantial greenhouse gasses, but it also contributes to deforestation. In fact, meat alone contributes to 14.5% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. While we recognize that not everyone has the ability or desire to go completely meatless, reducing meat and dairy consumption can help to reduce the global carbon emissions footprint. Instead, party people might prioritize a vegetarian or vegan spread using local ingredients for the greenest approach.

7. Encourage carpooling

While carpooling isn’t always an option, sometimes it is! Cutting down on the energy consumption it takes to make it to a specific destination is a great way to keep in alignment with the environment. This could mean renting a bus for a day or simply pairing friends and family together for more effective travel. Two or more passengers qualifies for high-occupancy vehicle lanes, getting to your destination more quickly, and fewer cars mean less parking hassle.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

In the pursuit of a greener planet, another great way to support sustainable parties is by bringing conscious gifts. Items that work to reduce long-term carbon footprints like travel mugs or glassware are a great option. Those who are looking for local gifts might also consider:

Kantha Napkins – Fair Trade Winds sells napkins that are upcycled from saris. The patterns and cotton construction make for a durable, long-lasting gift with a bit of flair and color. Plus they can be purchased as singular napkins or in packages of four, making it easy to customize each gift. They are even machine washable, which makes the clean up process simple, as well. fairwindstrade.net • 1219 Pearl St, Boulder

Gift Card to a Local Bulk Food Store – The Nude Foods Market is best known for its bulk foods. With over 1800 items for sale, the store allows shoppers to grab essential items in large quantities, cutting down on packaging and allowing you to use your reusable bags and containers. An eco-friendly gift could involve the purchase of a gift card to this store, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.

nudefoodsmarket.com • 3233 Walnut St, Boulder

Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag – Reusable bags are all the rage. With the elimination of single-use plastic bags in Colorado, more people are switching to well-made reusable bags. For this reason, the Hey Mountains Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag makes a nice, sustainable gift option for the eco-conscious giver. heymountains.com

Sustainable Slow Fashion – Fast fashion is all the rage, but Glenn + Glenn slows it down with tailored, classic apparel pieces for women. So, instead of ending up in the landfill, this style of clothing is quick to become a staple garment. Glenn + Glenn clothing sources materials from iconic textile locations like Italy and Japan. The fabric is then processed in women-owned locations in both New York City and Colorado. The result: conscious, kind, and classic products that bring a smile to anyone’s face. glennglennapparel.com • 1035 Pearl St, Boulder

Local Tea & a Tour – Remember what we said about local food? The same theory should be applied to beverages. But Colorado locals are in luck, because Celestial Seasonings is right here in Boulder. As a matter of fact, Celestial Seasonings has been around for more than 50 years, and is rooted in herbal tea. From the start, the company aimed to provide healthier tea options – a tradition that continues even today. celestialseasonings.com • 600 Sleepytime Dr, Boulder

Alpaca Connection is a Boulder-based company that operates with a conscious ethos. An inherently sustainable material, alpaca wool has a much lower carbon footprint than synthetic or even merino wool materials. The materials are also often biodegradable and durable, and Alpaca Connection sells high-quality clothing, home goods, toys, and gifts. These are the type of clothing items that remain life-long staples in any woman’s closet. alpacaconnection.us • 1334 Pearl St, Boulder

Knowledge is power. This is a concept that’s generally attributed to Francis Bacon, but the idea highlights the importance of education. Longmont’s Barbed Wire Books is a great place to get your literary fix, and the sustainably-conscious buyer can prioritize the purchase of used books over new ones. This new and used bookstore also has a trade process that allows bookworms to bring their own books to the shop for store credit. Trade credit can only be applied to used book purchases, further prioritizing sustainable efforts. barbedwirebooks.org • 504 Main St, Longmont

Flea markets often feature some of the world’s greatest treasures as well as oddities. Since these markets help reduce waste by reusing and repurposing already manufactured materials, they offer a great shopping option for those who love stumbling upon a surprise and those who want to reduce production across the planet. The Lafayette Flea Market is a great local option for flea market lovers. thelafayetteflea.com • 130 E Spaulding St, Lafayette

Old Friends in Louisville was born out of the idea of bringing joy and laughter to the area with clever gifts and gift cards. Today, the shop features a majority of local products with an emphasis on laughter and quirkiness. Some popular gifts that the store offers include Colorado socks and mountain jewelry. oldfriendslouisville.com • 706 Front St, Louisville

Erie’s Bridge Refill Market works diligently to reduce the use of plastic by providing shoppers with bulk refill options. Customers weigh their own containers that they bring before filling it with the product of their choice, purchasing just the contents of the jar. Like Nude Foods Market in Boulder and Simply Bulk Market in Longmont, Bridge Refill Market also provides bulk foods and other items like tea, spices, and cleaning supplies. The store also offers gift cards that make a great option for the eco-conscious gifter. bridgerefill.com • 285 Cheesman St, Erie

Boulder’s Classic Facets is an iconic vintage and estate store that provides unique rarities, ranging from the Georgian era to the Art Deco and modern periods. While the store isn’t the best option for those on a budget, it does provide an eco-conscious option since its emphasis is on vintage products. classicfacets.com • 942 Pearl St, Boulder

Longmont’s Absolute Vinyl is a local treasure that features a wide array of records and stereo equipment for the music lover. Open since 2009, this shop is both quaint and classic. While the vinyl market is a niche, it is eco-friendly, and it brings a warm, analog sound and vibe to the party. Instagram • 319 Main St, Longmont

Bricks on Main Street features souvenirs and gifts from dozens of Colorado-based companies, including t-shirts and specialty foods. The business often brings local musicians in to entertain visitors, and it hosts open mic and karaoke nights as well, making it a must-see stop in the area. bricksretail.com • 471 Main St, Longmont

Finally, Maker General is a Longmont-based store that features an array of hand-picked goods from local providers. The result is an eclectic store with unique items that range from homemade soap to embroidery kits. We also love that this store offers classes to those who want to learn how to sew and make their own products. A lost skill in most households, sewing better allows the eco-conscious person to repair and reuse clothing and items that they already have. What better way to support a sustainable and green planet? makergeneral.com • 381 Main St, Longmont

Yellow Scene Magazine maintains very strict editorial standards. We do not accept payment for our stories.  The writer chose the businesses featured here, and we paid our writer to create this story. YS receives no monetary compensation for featuring local businesses that fit our storyline. It’s really sad we have to explain that. Concerned about maintaining local journalistic integrity? Support your local indie, $8/mo or more gets the printed copy delivered to your home and helps to keep communities informed.

Looking for additional ways to shop local? Check out our past Locavore Gift Guides.

Locavore Gift Guide: Sustainable, Local & Meaningful

This one is HUUGE!

Community over CEOs: Local Retail Guide 2022

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The post Locavore Holiday Gift Guide; Eco-Friendly Ways to Host a Party and Green Gifts to Bring appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Who doesn’t love to bring new energy into your home space?

I was on a mission to work with the stuff I’d already amassed at my house to bring new energy in. First, I got some inspiration from Boulder County upcycling royalty.

Pau Martin was ready to accept an internship in Spain when a friend helped Martin sew a pair of overalls??—loud yellow overalls to be exact. Martin was in love with them and wore them to a party. Friends, and eventually people Martin didn’t even know, were soon in Martin’s room waiting to be measured for a pair of their own. Martin decided to stay in the States, found a studio on Facebook marketplace, and began making partnerships with local businesses to obtain fabric. Atrévete, which means to dare yourself, was born.

Pau Martin bought a used sewing machine after learning to make overalls from a friend. Photo by Andrew Labreck.

Martin uses fabric scraps obtained through partnering with businesses including Melanzana and Town Showroom Interior Design and thrifting to make clothing.

“I like the uniqueness of everything being one of one, that it can’t be replicated, and you have to be very resourceful with what you have,” Martin said. “Now I have a system where I know a big piece of fabric has to be pants because we need so much fabric for the legs of the overalls. Super small samples are great for hats.”

The size of the fabric along with its durability determines what piece of clothing Martin will create.

“It’s almost like it evaporates.We’re never going to have it again,” Martin points to the many collected fabrics. “It just makes it a new experience every time. It’s not like we make the same thing over and over and I know what fabric is coming.”

For Martin, upcycling is both an acknowledgment of how unique and finite resources can be while also allowing the individual to express themselves.

“I would say there’s this expressiveness in the overalls and the pieces that’s really hard to find in other brands,” Martin said. “There’s something about it that’s so small, it’s kind of like finding a blues bar in a really touristy city that’s underground and nobody knows about it. Nobody is going to have the same pair that you have.”

Although I can’t come close to the ingenuity of Atrévete overalls, I decided to try several projects that upcycled items I already had in my home.

Photo: Zoe Jennings

Photo by Zoe Jennings

Photo by Zoe Jennings

Photo by Zoe Jennings

Photo by Zoe Jennings

Photo by Zoe Jennings

Lafayette Flea sells a variety of items from kitchenware to furniture. Photo courtesy of John Smidt.

John Smidt is the new owner of Lafayette Flea. Before becoming the owner, Smidt ran a property management business for 20 years. Through handling items that renters left at his properties, Smidt developed an eye for salvaging and reselling.

“I like to refurbish stuff, I don’t like things going in the landfill,” Smidt said. “It’s been really fun seeing all the stuff being repurposed and refurbished. Our parents always say it, and I always say it, that the old stuff is usually made better than the new.”

The 160 vendors selling items at Lafayette Flea bring unique pieces from the community. Some upcycle pieces from thrift stores and estate sales by performing upgrades like sanding and painting old furniture.

A selection of antique glass containers sold at the Lafayette Flea. Photo courtesy of John Smidt.

Why buy used?

“It’s better to spend a little bit more on something that will last ten years as opposed to the Ikea concept, which is buy it and use it one time and when you’re done with it throw it away,” Smidt said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with all our vendors and see what they do.”

Some customers spend five to six hours looking around the shop or hanging out with the shop’s mouser, Bo.

Smidt points to the way his mother’s generation lives. Things were made better back then. Smidt sees thrifting used pieces as a way to get quality items that will last longer.

“It would be nice to see that concept come back into play,” Smidt said. “There’s just so much waste in our society, it’s disappointing. Maybe we can change that a little bit.”

Whether it’s supporting a local business that’s dedicated to using upcycled goods, or finding items that already exist in your home or in the community, with upcycling comes a sense of individualism and adventure.

Bo the shop cat hangs out at the Lafayette Flea, located near downtown Lafayette. Photo courtesy of John Smidt.

The post Upcycling: How to spruce up your home without ‘Made in China’ tags appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Best shop for any women: Barbara & Co.

Rare is a shop that can please all ages and styles of women. But Barbara & Co. in downtown Boulder is such a place. The boutique could leave a 20-something saying “OMG!” while making her mother’s eyes light up with joy. Here, chicness knows no bounds.

Best newcomer that’s been around: Go Lite

Welcome, Go Lite, to the neighborhood. The outdoor gear and clothing company has been a local mainstay for years, but only recently has it opened a permanent shop in Boulder. Don’t worry, we’ll show you around.

Best place for foodies to drool: Peppercorn

How is it that a kitchen shop has become both a local favorite and a tourist attraction? Well, because the Peppercorn’s massive space is packed with fun gadgets, beautiful décor, shelves of glossy books and so much potential deliciousness.

Best future favorite: Trader Joe’s

As a college student in California, everything was Trader Joe’s: Chinese chicken salad for lunch, trailmix for snacks, enchiladas for dinner, and Two Buck Chuck whenever. Now, as an adult in Colorado, Trader Joe’s is coming back into my life. Does that mean I’m gonna gain my freshman 15 again?

Best spot to find bling, Just don’t call it bling: Walters and Hogsett

Boulder’s Walters and Hogsett has been around for three decades, and despite drastic changes in styles and designers, the shop is consistently on top of its game. Stop by, and get iced out.

Most style per square foot: Ville de Luxe

Ville de Luxe is packed from floor to ceiling with the cutest clothing you’ve every laid your eyes upon. It’s a small space, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in cuteness.

Best online tool  for shopping local: Etsy

We are not usually proponents of shopping online, but when it comes to Etsy, it’s the easiest way to track down tons of local artisans in one stop. You can see their collections, send them little love notes and even buy something special.

Best musician mecca: HB Woodsongs

Bluegrass rules in Boulder County, and HB Woodsongs is the hot spot for those who love guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukuleles and violin. Keep on pickin’.

Best way to connect with local craftspeople: Firefly Handmade Markets

You want to shop local, you want to support local craftspeople, you want to bathe in the glory of local creativity. Firefly Handmade Markets are one very good way to do all that. These seasonal pop-up shops are a tribute to small-batch art and crafts, including the market on April 21-22 at Chautauqua.

Best doggie vacation: Cottonwood Kennels

My dog once spent a whole week at Cottonwood Kennels, a beautiful facility outside of Boulder, and I’m pretty sure she was disappointed to see us.

Best way to save your back and marriage while moving: Taylor Moving

Did you know moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do? But it doesn’t need to be. Taylor Moving is legit—and we can testify—taking the pressure off of you and the family.

Best shop for a statement piece: Fuzzy Antler

Louisville’s Fuzzy Antler is packed full of pieces that make a room a room. Elegant, classic and refined, the shop is all about décor and furniture that says something. What will it say about you?

Best shopping when you don’t know what you’re looking for: Suburban Hill

Suburban Hill is an ideal spot for shopping for something. You may not know what it is you’re looking for, but once you get there, we think it’ll suddenly occur to you.

Best deal: Twin Peaks Mall

Earlier this winter, NewMark Merrill Mountain States purchased the Twin Peaks Mall for just $8.5 million. At the same time there were several Boulder County homes for sale for
more than $10 million. We’re just saying.

Most exciting retail newcomer: H&M

When H&M came to Denver last year, we were like “OK, cool. I should check that out.” But then, H&M announced it was coming to FlatIron Crossing, and we were totally stoked, like, “WTF! This is like awesome!”

Best place to get lost: Lafayette Flea Market

Lafayette Flea Market is a cavernous space filled with tables, shelves, cabinets and cupboards that are cluttered with all sorts of neat stuff. From military collectables to crystal sorbet glasses to vintage leather coats, you can take a cache of antiques and knick-knacks home with you. Or just stay a while and explore.

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