Buying disposable paper items

As we approach the busy holiday season, many families will have extra place settings to add to their table. To accommodate this, people tend to buy disposable items such as plates, cups and utensils. Of course avoiding this purchase would save you the most money, but if you decide you need to, consider buying solid colors. If you can purchase items that do not restrict you to a "theme" or holiday, you can stash the extras for another use, saving you money. Below are a few examples.

• Purchase clear cups so that the extras can be used at any family gathering including special events such as wedding showers.
• Purchase orange paper plates so that they can then be used at an upcoming birthday celebration. Most birthday items come in a rainbow of colors, so orange fits right in along with about any bright color. If your child really wants themed paperware, consider using solid cups and plates, and adding themed napkins and balloons as a compromise.
• Purchase red plates that can be used for both Christmas and Valentines day. Green for using at Christmas and Saint Patricks day.
• If holiday appropriate, buy paperware etc that are the same as your schools colors. Our colors are gold and black, making Halloween plate recyclable for graduation parties etc next summer.

Pic pulled from The Rosemary Company