Personal politics aside, the inaguaration of Barack Obama marks a changing of the guard.  A lot of people have high hopes that the planet will finally be made a priority in Washington D.C. (Will it actually be?  Click here to decide).  So if you’re in the mood to celebrate change this January 20^th, check out our guide to hosting the coolest, greenest inauguration party on your block.  Hey, if Al Gore can host a green inaugural ball, why can’t you?  

Send out the Evite 

Why even think about paper invites?  Evite offers cool templates like “Party Like a Barack Star” and “Mr. Obama Goes to Washington.”  I mean, who doesn’t want to party like a Barack star?

Pick up the table supplies  

Biodegradablestore.com is an excellent source for table wares – they even have a plate made from renewable sugarcane. 

Plum Party offers great compostable flatware.  They’ve got some cool red, white, and blue options for napkins and even recycled rubber star coasters for your drinks.  

Decide on the décor

Use organic soy candles to illuminate the lights of change.  (Too corny?  Sorry, too corny).  Check out these biodegradable red, white, and blue crepe paper streamers.  And want to throw some confetti as our first African-American president is sworn in?  Go DIY confetti by cutting up a little paper.  Just be sure to recycle the scraps.

Plan the menu

Assuming your guests have jobs that don’t entail them writing all day in their pajamas, they will arrive after dinner.  Since most of the inauguration activities will be over by then, you could set the television to the Inaugural Ball coverage and focus everyone’s attention on the food.  Want to serve an organic spinach-artichoke dip or pumpkin seed spread with warm pita?  These are just some of the awesome appetizers out there.  Same here for gluten-free brownies or other healthy (ish) sweets.  

If you’re lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods and have money to burn, (because who doesn’t in this economy?), check out these cool catering options.  

And don’t forget to keep the booze organic – The Organic Wine Company can help you do this. 

And finally, focus on fun

If you get bored watching Anderson Cooper, (though I really can’t wrap my brain around that concept), you could invite your guests to partake in a game of Garden-opoly.  (Monopoly for greenies.)  

And since we just all made our green resolutions for 2009, how about offering up tidbits of information about the major green issues facing the new government?  You can even make a Pictionary game out of it – just add concepts like climate change, renewable energy, intensive farming, ethanol, offshore drilling, vampire power, and so on. 

And if all else fails, pour some more organic wine.  Don’t forget to toast the new president – and most of all, to toast the health of our planet!