Thanks for all the helpful hints, especially on estimating portions! I haven't used disposable wares in many years and it is really no big deal to use real dishes. Most guests enjoy helping with the cleanup - and borrowing chairs, dishes, etc. from neighbors actually creates a feeling of community and solidarity. On the rare occasions when things got damaged or lost, replacement is usually no big deal.
For outdoor entertainment I use non-breakable dishes which I keep handy during the warm months and store during the cold months. Indoors we use "real" dishes.
Poldi Binder, New Jersey

If you want to use paper invites, I would suggest buying paper made with sustainable materials like hemp. There are a few small businesses that specialize in making hand-crafted paper products from 100% recycled materials like Of the Earth, Twisted Limb Paperworks. For an even greener touch, send out grow-a-note cards. These are cards with flower seeds embedded in the paper that can be grown after the paper has served its purpose. At the very least, find paper the highest post-consumer recycled content and look for an FSC certification.

Great ideas for hosting a dinner party-thanks!

Adding "fun" entertainment to an indoor get-together is what I love. Try to add Charades, a lively discussion, or an Eco-friendly board game for older players (surprisingly lots of sustainable game choices we saw at the Twin Cities Green shop in Minneapolis).

Less expendible cash for entertainment will lead us to some natural alternatives for group fun at home. Time for neighbors, friends and family to spend quality time together (as I would define it).

I'd also jump in the sled for a little downhill fun!

Make food that you can remake as other dishes: marinated vegetables for grilling, for example. Vegetables and meats you don't use can be made into a sauce. Fish makes great soups.

As a sous-chef for a large Hollywood caterer in the late 1980's, I I would always bring the unused food home and convert it into other meals, then freeze.

Great reminder about dishes and flatware, and some other good ideas too.

Except for one suggestion: If I went to a party and the host had labeled their food with things like "local" and "organic" I think I would feel they were bragging, trying to show off how superior and "green" they are. It's one thing to tell someone who asks about your wholesome ingredients, (ie, I grew those tomatoes, I love the farmers market etc.) but it seems in very poor taste to smugly announce it in writing for all to see.

I found some wonderful light-weight dishes made of bamboo at Cost Plus. They're not dishwasher proof, but light and easy for folks to hold while visiting, and they're nearly indestructible (they just need to be rinsed lightly with a little soap and water). Along with some inexpensive metal flatware, cloth napkins, and some non-disposable plastic cups made from recycled plastic, it's easy to entertain without creating a lot of trash. Another idea is renting a couple of "pony-kegs" for beer from your local liquor store instead of buying cases of cans and bottles.