Summer Hostess Gift

The next time you are invited to a casual backyard BBQ, consider offering your hostess this creative gift. Create a summer car wash gift basket filled with green products, such as eco-friendly sponges, organic cotton washcloths and phosphate-free liquid soap.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Multi-Use:Mason Jars

While scouring spring flea markets, be sure to stock up on mason jars for all your entertaining needs. These classic jars are the perfect multi-use party accessory. With a bit of thoughtful planning, they can easily be incorporated into all aspects of your event, from your floral centerpieces to lighting to post-party clean-up.
Photos: Etsy

Post-Holiday Clean Up

Now that the autumn holidays are over take some time to reorganize your cleaning supplies in preparation for the winter entertaining season. Tidy up closets and cabinet shelves with a collection of convenient see-through storage canisters. Reused and recycled glass jars, such as Mason jars, jelly jars and spaghetti-sauce jars, serve as easy and inexpensive green storage receptacles for sponges, cloths and other basic cleaning supplies.

Photo: Whole Living 

Get Your Shine On

Over the weekend, I was busy browsing in a nearby secondhand shop when I stumbled across a box filled with beautiful silver flatware and serving pieces that were just a bit past their heyday. The pieces would be perfect for holidays, and really, for any other time of the year worth celebrating with a good party. Although the pieces were beautifully ornate and decidedly cheap, I have to admit that I simply bypassed the whole lot because I could not bear to think about having to sit and polish each piece with stinky (and toxic) silver polish. Which, naturally, led me to come home, feel guilty about bypassing said silver pieces, and then research nontoxic ways to clean silver without having to huff any fumes. 

Photos: Pottery Barn

Five Simple Steps for Green Silver Cleaning

Step 1: Wash all silver pieces in soapy water (to loosen any dirt and grime)

Step 2: Line a large pot with aluminum foil and place the silver pieces on top

Step 3: In another pot, mix about a quart of boiling water, ¼ cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons of salt.

Step 4: Pour the solution onto the silver pieces and let stand for about five minutes

Step 5: Rinse each piece with clean water and then hand dry with a soft, cotton towel