Celebrate Earth Day

— Gather Your Close Friends!

Let’s celebrate Earth Day! The day all kids do a fun activity to remind them that our earth is precious; that we need to love it and care for it. But why should the kids have all the fun? And shouldn’t the adults also take responsibility in loving, nurturing and caring for our earth?

What are some ideas for Earth Day? What can I do for Earth Day at home?

I propose Earth Day as a great day to gather with a few close friends with the expressed intent of reviewing and renewing our commitments (at any level) to sustainability and green living.

Here’s a thought. In the invite, ask everyone to come prepared with:

• 1 “win”, something they did over the last year to increase their green living,
• 1 “goal”, something sustainable they would like to add to their routine for the coming year
• 1 “tip”, one green thing/idea they had heard of or read about that sounded interesting

Gather around a gorgeous earth-themed table with yummy food served. Share your friendship and share your wins, goals, and tips. It will be a bit of a directed  conversation, but a fun, free–flowing conversation as we encourage each other in our shared responsibility of caring for Mother Earth.

I started with a tablecloth of natural fibers, but also the ultimate in sustainability. It’s reused! It’s a painter’s drop cloth. Technically, it’s not reused . . . . . yet! So better to call it re-invented.

I bought this drop cloth to be used as a tablecloth. I will use it again and again as a tablecloth and then when there are too many red wine stains that won’t budge, it will return to its origins and be used as a drop cloth.

Next up, I created the centerpiece.

I have this wonderful garden piece. I wanted to keep it light and airy so you could see through it easily for conversation, so I wedged three small clay pots inside all holding each other together. If I removed one, the other two would fall out.

Just like our delicate ecosystem.  All the elements of nature support each other.

A few more potted plants and clay pots around the base complete this easy centerpiece.

Now that the centerpiece is set. I can flank it with two washed linen table runners — natural fibers that have been washed again and again! Here are the table runners I used (and make and sell).

To add more texture, and to play on the idea that our friendships, and dare I say our very survival, [yikes, getting rather dramatic here], is all interwoven, I tied a loose slip knot in the middle of both runners and then spread the runner out under each place setting.

And continuing along the theme of reuse. The napkins are actually kitchen dish towels.

I often use dish towels, as they are larger than napkins and often times less expensive.  These were from a set of six from Home Goods for $6.99. I love them! I could not find the same ones online, but I have listed below a cute alternative from TJMaxx.

The centerpiece was all greens, so for the table setting, I stuck with blues. Thinking of the seas and sky.

I topped the salad plate with a sweet terra cotta saucer. For the pictures, I added some dried moss and a wooden egg, under a small glass cloche. For my actual party, I’ll be cleaning the terra cotta saucer and serving a deviled egg as a starter, or maybe some optional salad toppings, under the cloches.

Around the neck of the cloche, I wired a single little seashell and a piece of wired jute rope. This is my representation of Earth (terra cotta and jute), Sea (seashell) and sky (nest and egg). 

Those cloches? Adorable, right?

No, I’ve never seen cloches like those. They are actually some kind of candle cups from a light fixture. I rescued them from Habitat ReStore. I’ve got my eyes peeled for more, I suggest you do the same.

Everything looks so much more important under a cloche, don’t you think?

And then I couldn’t help myself! These are dear friends coming and I haven’t seen them without screens. The occasion of celebrating our Earth and celebrating our friendships deserves not one, but two party favors.

So each is receiving a little shell dish I made from shells collected along the shore of that very body of water you see in the background. You can see how I made them into these sweet dishes right here. 

And for the earth, they are receiving a little bags of washed linen, that I make and sell right here, filled with sand, gravel and charming succulents. And for the perfect finish, I made a jute tassel to close up each bag.

And for my guests comfort, I have throws draped on each chair.  It is April in the Midwest, afterall.  

This past year has certainly reminded us of how we are one large global family, as well as how precious our time together is!

I hope this inspires you to gather with those precious friends to celebrate our Mother Earth, perhaps brainstorming ways to contribute to caring for her better than we have in the past. And if not for Earth Day, then take these table scape and party favor ideas for any other occasion you want to make special!

Wishing you a glorious Spring

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