Easter weekend is coming up and we can’t wait.

It’s just such a good time of year to be having a celebration.  The days are getting longer, the weather is getting better (we’re writing this a little bit in advance and crossing our fingers that there’s not going to be another cold snap or torrential rain), the daffodils are out and new shoots are poking out of the soil in front of our very eyes.

It fairly puts us in the mood for organising a get-together with family and friends, which has got us thinking about parties in general.

We love a party. Give us food, drink, music, dancing, chat. But a full bin bag at the end of the evening? That's rubbish!  Let’s not get sucked into the consumerist mindset.

How can we organise a gathering in a sustainable way?

No balloons!

• they take between six months and four years to decompose

• they contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals who die each year by becoming tangled in, or ingesting, plastic

And helium balloons are even worse!

Helium is a finite resource that is fast running out and is actually needed for MRI scans. While the gas used in the scanners and deep sea diving equipment can be recycled, the same is not true for balloons.  Obviously.

We like the air of celebration that balloons give, but we can get that elsewhere.

We made paper chains for a 21st birthday celebration a few years ago that have been strung in various places ever since.  They were originally hung round trees overlooking the River Tay, so there's no need to despair if you don't have a garden.  Just take a few decorations to the park, the beach or by the river and make your spot that bit more cheery.

Paper chains are one of the easiest thing in the world to make

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/papercraft/how-to-make-paper-chains