This St. Patrick’s Day, go green – literally – with these easy tricks that will help you be more eco-conscious (and save you lots of money!).
Get Reusable Decorations
Around this time of the year, stores are usually packed with plastic shamrocks, leprechaun figurines, and glitter-covered banners, and as tempting it is to go overboard with them, most of these pieces end up in the trash the next day. Instead of buying throwaway decorations, invest in durable and authentic Irish ones that can be used year after year. Decor pieces that are made in Ireland, such as shamrock-designed table runners, tea towels, wall hangings, and even mugs with traditional Irish symbols are all a much better and long-lasting alternative to the flimsy store-bought trinkets. Irish online shops like ShamrockGift offer a wide selection of St. Patrick’s Day decorations for every taste and budget, all made of natural fabrics and materials that are built to last. These decorations can be used for years and years to come, unlike the mass-produced ones that are made of poor quality fabrics that disintegrate after a season.
Wear What You Already Own
We tend to spend more money on clothes during the holiday season, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. It’s easy to grab a cheap green t-shirt with a catchy slogan or a silly caricature, but let’s be honest, will you ever wear it again? There’s no need to add yet another one-time purchase to your wardrobe, especially when you can look through your closet and find something green that you already own. On St. Patrick’s Day, you can dress up in a green dress, a shirt, or just use an accessory like a hat or a scarf to fit in at the parade or the pub. And if you really want a new look, you can swap clothes with a friend or check out a thrift store instead of giving your money to a mass-market shop.
Send Digital Invitations
If you plan on hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party or family dinner and you want to go an extra step and send invitations, look for digital alternatives instead of sending paper invites that get tossed aside after a quick glance. Thankfully, there are endless online platforms like Canva that let you send stylish and creative invites without using a single sheet of paper, completely for free. You can also make a festive video invitation if you’re feeling extra creative, or set a private event page where your guests can RSVP and stay updated on the details.
Buy Local Food
St. Patrick’s Day is known for its delicious and traditional meals such as corned beef, Irish soda bread, and beef stew, and luckily you can still enjoy them in a more eco-friendly manner. For instance, you can look for local farmers and get your sustainably raised beef and organic vegetables directly from them, or buy fresh bread from a bakery in your city or town. This way, you’ll reduce the carbon footprint of your meal and support small businesses in your area – a win-win situation.
Recycle Correctly
No matter how environmentally-friendly you try to be, you’ll definitely have a certain amount of trash left behind at the end of the night. A little planning can help you keep the trash to a minimum and make sure it gets recycled the right way, for example by setting up recycling bins next to trash cans so guests have an easy way to sort their waste. Food waste is another major problem during the holiday season, so if you’re serving food, make sure to use real plates, cups, and utensils instead of disposable ones, and encourage your guests to bring containers and take leftovers home, so that nothing goes to waste.
