A holiday party is an opportunity to team up with loved ones or colleagues to make a difference in the world, through the choices made in planning the event, as well as actions taken during and after the party.

“Being sustainable isn’t just about being eco-friendly,” points out Teang Tang, president of Mingle Event Management, a Calgary company specializing in environmentally friendly events. “It’s also about building community.”

In that spirit, many tactics for staging an eco-friendly event also foster community, both among friends and beyond. The very act of creating an intimate affair with the least possible impact on the earth creates connections between people and organizations, building the relationships that strengthen a community.

Take food, for instance. Tang suggests sourcing locally and organically grown produce, or at least organic foods, whenever possible. Pay attention to what is in season rather than serving tropical fruits in December. Buying locally grown foods as near to the source as possible not only cuts emissions used during transport, but also builds the relationship between the consumer and the producer, and helps to strengthen local economy.

Once the local foods are chosen, label them with place-cards that explain where the ingredients hail from, or even who grew them. For a potluck party, guests can be encouraged to do the same, and the host can collect recipes from guests to e-mail out to everyone after the party.

At every step, decisions can encourage both human connection and sustainability. The host of a party can encourage ride-sharing, and organize a gift exchange involving re-used or re-gifted items (often meant more to make guests laugh than send them home with an item they will absolutely love).

Continue this theme of community by being sure guests are introduced. Tang likes to go around the table at dinner parties and have each guest introduce themselves and relate something positive that is happening in their lives. “It makes them feel good that you’re interested and gives them a chance to glow a bit in front of the other guests,” she says.

When it comes to decorating for the event, creativity is key. Tang suggests using “things in a non-conventional way,” such as fabric remnants as table runners, a trifle dish or hurricane lantern to layer an arrangement of fruit, flowers, or ornaments. Decor items can be re-purposed as party favours at the end of the night.