What are you doing for the Fourth? Here at Momster Central it’s usually no big deal, but I’m feeling more patriotic this year, and want to work toward a country that I can feel more and more proud of for Georgia. So we’re planning a tiny neighborhood parade, some sparklers, a hike and probably a little barbeque. Georgia will be asleep by 8:30, missing the big city fireworks once again, and that’s OK by us.

If you’re planning a big shindig, and your guests can be convinced to do the right thing for the good ol’ USA (and the earth she shares), here are some ideas for keepin’ it green.

Go retro! Picnic with real tablecloths, reusable plates, cups and utensils. Have everyone bring their own and take them home to wash. Really not that big of a deal, right?

Ask each person to tell a short story about freedom. It doesn’t have to be lofty, and it doesn’t have to be about the holiday. It’s good to ask about and listen to lots of ideas about freedom, even if it’s from the 5-year-old who decided to free her potato bug or the 15-year-old who thinks it means a later curfew.

Avoid plastic flags and throwaway decorations. Instead bring fabric paints or markers and white bandanas (or scrap fabric) and have kids (and adults) create red, white and blue banners. Tie them to sticks, branches, and trees to dry and to decorate the festivities. A cute idea for plain white tablecloths is to have each person spread red, white or blue paint on their hands and press a handprint onto the tablecloth. Needs a bit of time to dry before the tablecloth can be used, but it makes a sweet keepsake.

For many people it’s all about the fireworks. It may not be time to talk about how fireworks are made with toxic chemicals, and how the manufacture of fireworks is a very dirty business, but you could mention how some people who present fireworks displays are trying to use fewer toxic chemicals. To balance out some of that carbon and step more lightly on the earth consider taking public transportation, if possible, to a fireworks display near you.

If you want to avoid the toxic display altogether here are some nice DIY ideas too!

Photo credit: Other Neither