5 Expert Tips for Hosting Sustainable Gatherings Without Sacrificing Grandeur

As many of us are putting more effort becoming more conscious consumers with more sustainably-designed homes, focusing on our hosting practices is an important part of the equation for those who love to entertain at home. From party prep to menu planning to clean-up, hosting a sustainable affair is less daunting than it may sound, but it does require thoughtful effort and reflection.

"When it comes to being an eco-conscious host, the best thing to do is to ask a lot of questions," says celebrated events designer Beth Helmstetter, who is based in L.A. "Find out where products come from. Who makes them. How are the items processed and so on. It’s so easy to just pick that pretty plate without thinking about it too much, but I always try to take the extra step to know more about the source. Doing so not only helps the environment, but I often end up with the most interesting, beautiful and even some of the most flavorful meals because I made the extra effort."

We asked Helmstetter—and Nicole Berrie, healthy living expert and entertaining aficionado—for simple yet effective approaches to hosting a more sustainable gathering without having to sacrifice your own personal style. Here, their five best sustainable hosting practices, plus four eco-friendly entertaining essentials (that also make for great hostess gifts).

"I let what is available at the farmer's market dictate the meal," Berrie says. "During the winter, I'll most likely lean towards lots of baked root veggies or a stew rather than host a taco night or tropical fiesta. These are ways to entertain and dine more responsibly but also the flavors will be so much more vibrant when sticking to what is in season and local."

Berrie says choosing local over internationally shipped foods is not only the most sustainable way to shop, it also ensures you're serving more vibrant and nutrient-dense meals.

Helmstetter says it's important to be just as vigilant about where you shop for meat and seafood. Her preferences are going straight to the source, like a local butcher shop or a purveyor at your favorite farmer's market to get the best offerings.

"Choosing meats from small, environmentally conscious farms is the number one most sustainable thing you can do when entertaining, or preparing any meal for that matter," says Helmstetter. "Once you find a supplier who aligns with your values, move on to designing a menu around the products available that week."

Helmstetter advises asking about the farm where the meat comes from, what their farming practices look like in terms of protecting the environment and animal treatment in order to find a supplier you can feel good about supporting.

From there, curating your menu is like an exciting puzzle, taking the local, seasonal ingredients together and finding the flavors that will make them sing. Helmstetter also enjoys creating cocktails and pre-dinner bites based on the season as well.

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Make sure your cookbook arsenal has a variety of options for learning how to eat with the seasons—as well as some regional books for diving into your area's best local produce and cuisine.

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Besides investing in cloth over paper towels, Helmstetter and Berrie are also mindful of where they source dishes, linens, and other decor for their gatherings.

Berrie loves the ease of utilizing tablescape rental brand Social Studies for sustainable hosting. She can either choose a beautiful themed set of items for her guests that she won't have to store at home or invest in her favorite offerings. The brand sources from a family-owned artisanal vendor in Portugal which emphasizes zero-waste gas energy, zero disposal of water into nature, zero clay waste, and glazes focused on raw, natural materials that have been locally sourced.

Helmstetter is meticulous about every item she makes part of her home, investing in pieces that will serve her well for years, instead of just picking pieces that are fun for one themed event or color scheme.

"When I selected my dinner plate, I chose a design that I felt would be appropriate for both my everyday meals but also entertaining," she says. "While I do have a small collection of playful dinner plates I love to bing out for cheeky daytime entertaining, overall, I recommend option for a refined dinnerware set that can be used for everything."

Helmstetter loves to travel and is always on the lookout for beautiful pieces she can use for her next party. This way, she doesn't have to have items flown across the world, and she can trust she's investing in a local, ethical artisan. The same rings true for shopping her favorite neighborhood ceramicists in L.A.

"It’s so easy to just pick that pretty plate without thinking about it too much, but I always try to take the extra step to know more about the source." she says. "Doing so not only helps the environment, but I often end up with the most interesting, beautiful and even some of the most flavorful meals because I made the extra effort. When shopping for items on my travels, I always tap the open-air markets or seek out local boutiques known for featuring the work of local artisans. Seeking these sources out, not only provide an authentic experience in the region where I'm traveling, but it's also where I have found some of the best pieces in my collection." A few of her favorite sustainable, high-quality brands are Heath Ceramics, Hawkins New York, and Bayith.

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While packaging and storing leftovers may be the last thing you want to do at the end of the evening, both tastemakers encourage repurposing these fresh, seasonal ingredients.

"Don't toss leftovers! I love to revive last night's meal with lots of fresh herbs and lettuces the next day and beyond," Berrie says.

Finishing leftovers yourself may be easy with an intimate dinner party, but don't be afraid to share them with your guests if you have more than your household can handle.

"When it comes to food, there’s never waste in my home," says Helmstetter. "I always have a plan for leftovers or will send guests home with something to enjoy the next day."

Keeping cute compostable takeout boxes in your party closet and letting guests take what they want for tomorrow's lunch is a simple way to reduce food waste and ensure you're not stuck eating the same kale salad for the next week!

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"Start small and don’t make it so overwhelming that you set yourself up for failure," says Helmstetter. "The first and easiest thing to do is to do is to buy cloth napkins that are either sustainably made or vintage. They elevate your everyday dining and reduce your need to rely on paper towels or napkins either for dining or for clean up."

Taking these small steps like allotting more time to shop for the best ingredients, cutting back on single-use paper and plastic (we love these compostable straws!), and shopping small for conversation-starting pieces that will serve you for a wide range of events make a bigger impact than you might expect—and seeing your example may inspire guests to do the same. Share your journey with friends and family to get ideas, challenge, and support each other as we all strive to do our part to create a more sustainable, conscious home and life.