16 Dec Throw a Seasonal Engagement Party with Eco-Luxe Panache
Whether He or She said “yes,” the proposal was a success! Now it’s time to bring the two sides of the aisle together and share the happy. As an easy, eco-friendly theme, “Seasonal” is always on-trend.
Embrace the Florals of the Season
You want an intimate and cozy vibe at almost any party—but especially in winter and especially for engagement parties. Winter pine, poinsettia, eucalyptus, holly and amaryllis create a warm-and-spicy yet traditional feel.
Winter Amaryllis Blooms
Buying organic and locally sourced plants benefits the environment by reducing both pesticide demand and transport-based pollutants. In this handy Thrive Market post, Alden Wicker says it succinctly:
Think about it: When East Coasters receive roses on Valentine’s Day (e.g. in the dead of winter) what gets delivered probably didn’t grow in a snow-covered field a few miles away…. The entire process of picking, arranging, and getting flowers delivered leaves a pretty big carbon footprint.
Lovely Winter Themed Tablescape by Lila Wilson Weddings
Get Tipsy, Do Good
Not only are the bottles sparkly and festive, but a good chunk of the money your dishing out goes to your choice of a charity helping Children, Women, Health or Global.
One Hope Wine Celebration Glitter Collection
Visit OneHope Wine and find a vintage that will commemorate your engagement as well as remind you how lucky you are in the overall scheme of things. That’s the spirit!!!
The OneHope Foundation site (“What if every purchase you made gave back?”) shows the NGOs and nonprofit partners they work with globally. We even found ourselves a bit ver klempt as we scanned their Impact page, which highlights heartwarming stats like “49, 045 animals helped to find a forever home.”
Fire it Up
Mojo Candle Co.
In a nod to tipplers everywhere, Mojo Candle Co. handcrafts delicious smelling soy candles contained in recycled wine bottles with giant sustainable-corks (our favorite part). The “Frosted Berries and Violet” passes for wintery, but so can “Mountain Pine.” Where is that smellable internet they promised us already? Bonus: The wicks are made with “100 percent lead-free cotton.” Share that tidbit as you gift-bag the candles to your guests.
A Hot (Chocolate) Conversation Piece
Legend has it that in the 17th century, warring factions of Roman Catholics and Protestants in what is now Switzerland solidified a lasting truce over… fondue! One side brought boiling cheese and other side brought dipping bread. What’s more, say the Swiss: “This king of meals, at once simple and convivial, even pays homage to Switzerland’s democratic culture.” If cheese fondue is a recipe for democracy, then the chocolate version is one of our greatest hopes for world peace. No doubt, Swiss-born chef, Konrad Elgi—who invented the upgrade at his Chalet Suisse in 1960s New York City while searching for ways to help market Toblerone—will win the Nobel peace prize one day.
So do a Fair-Trade chocolate fondue with homemade marshmallows, whole-wheat graham cookies and fruit dippers. Lake Champlain Chocolates—all-natural, made in Vermont—has a Fair for Life certification. (see recipe below)
Fair Trade Fondue with Lake Champlain Chocolates
Fair-Trade Fondue Recipe:
1) Measure 10 ounces of Lake Champlain Dark Chocolate, cut into small squares
2) Pour in 1/2 cup whole milk or almond milk
3) Mix together and set the bowl over a pot of shallow simmering water
4) Stir until fully melted
5) Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
6) Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
7) Add 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil to give the fondue a pretty gloss
8) Transfer into a heated fondue pot and enjoy!
Lake Champlain Fair Trade Chocolates
Festive Vintage Décor
When we were in middle school, the place you went to sled was Suicide Hill, naturally. We remember thinking, you couldn’t pay me to ride one of those old metal and wood Flyers down the hill! We also remember thinking that the super-heavy Flyer collecting cobwebs in the garage should retire and serve out its time as nostalgic holiday decor (or so we like to think we thought).
Find a vintage sled and transform it into an artisanal cheese and appetizer display. Here are some restoration tips, if you’re handy and have lots of extra time.
Vintage Sled Appetizer Decor