Temple Shalom of Newton
Greening Your Simcha

Gifts

Some of this section is targeted at gift givers and some at the receivers.  As an event host, you likely will be in both
roles at some point throughout the planning and follow-up process.  Also, some of these ideas may work well for certain
kinds of events (like weddings, anniversaries, adult birthday parties), but not as well for others (like bar/bat mitzvah parties).

Gift Registry

First of all, if it is appropriate for your event, register for gifts.  People are going to give you presents, and registering means that you will get stuff that you like or need and also things that match.  This reduces waste, both because you will be able to use what you get and because you will not be driving all over the area returning gifts you didn't really want in the first place.

Donations

If you already have most of what you need, encourage guests to make donations in your name to an organization that you care about (shelter, food pantry, hospital, environmental or other advocacy group, literacy/educational program, children's organization.  Let this suggestion reflect something that is important to you. 

                             Heifer International lets you actually register at their website, but instead of the gifts coming to you, people in
                            developing nations will benefit from your celebration.  Or if it is a shower or party, you could contact a local shelter
                            or human service organization to find out what that organization’s current needs are (possibly things like new
                            towels, sheets, pillows, personal care items, infant care items, cleaning supplies and so on).  Then you could ask
                            your guests to bring those items instead of gifts for you.  You don’t wind up with a bunch more stuff that you don’t
                            need and someone else benefits from your simcha.

Socially Responsible Gifts

You could also take a look at Changing The Present.  This site has several ways to give socially responsible gifts and encourage your guests to do the same for you.  Additionally, the World Wildlife Fund has a wedding registry concept on its site, too.

Wrapping

Encourage gift givers to wrap presents in reusable gift or cloth bags.  For example, if the gift is small enough, there
are lots of great durable bags out there designed to be used for things like groceries and trips to the drug store.

 
Guests could stick a crockpot or silver placesetting in a canvas bag from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market and
give two very practical gifts at the same time.  Teens might like getting something in a cool tote bag or lightweight
bag with drawstrings.  Please consult your local teen for what cool might be this week – this is beyond our scope
of expertise.  If it’s practical and feasible, encourage guests to skip the gift-wrapping altogether.  They could instead
add a note or card to let you know whom the gift is from.

                             Thank You Gifts

                             If you are also a gift giver (including things like attendant gifts or gifts to thank special people for their role in your event),
                            consider giving something like tickets to a sporting or cultural event or passes or a membership to a local museum. 
                            Movie passes or restaurant gift cards also make lovely gifts, and giving a “night on the town” is a great way to say thank
                            you.