Lend a Hand
Helping Hand Rewards brings together gift companies that employ artisans, especially women, from the developing world. Recipients get a card that lets them choose a gift; choices include a spa basket, a decorative bowl or an edible treat, in one of two price ranges: $18-$37 or $32-$60. (773) 890-5900, x3387; helpinghandrewards.com
Report Card
By the nature of the business -- feeding hundreds with food that might sit under a warmer -- hotels need to keep their kitchens immaculate and their practices stringent. Just in case, though, check out the hotel's scores from its most recent health department inspection. Everyblock.com posts inspection reports in a number of major cities.
Avoid the Landfill
For a Habitat for Humanity gala, Chef Pascal Coudouy at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa in Beaver Creek, Colo. (beavercreek.hyatt.com), devised a special menu that would be easily compostable. All the food waste -- 80 gallons of it -- was sent to a nearby composting facility. For planners looking to do the same, check out findacomposter.com for a listing of facilities in your area. Note that meat is more difficult to compost than vegetables, and the smaller the bones, the better.
Doing Their Bidding
The latest trend in auctions is electronic bidding. Guests each get a handheld device to place bids, and the highest bid at any moment is projected onto a screen. Anecdotally, this method seems to raise more money than a traditional silent auction. Companies that can create this setup are IML (212-805-7331; imlaudienceresponse.com) and BidPal (317-816-8842; bidpalnetwork.com). Because the technology costs $5,000 to $15,000 to implement, it's best-suited to events that can raise many times that sum.
Glow the Brand
These 100-percent soy candles get personal with custom packaging and your organization's logo in a wax emblem. Cost: $11.95 each for a minimum order of 100. (630) 355-5877; wayfarercandles.com
Vintage Keg
This budget-friendly barrel of Californian red wine can be set up at a self-serve station, picnic table, barbecue, etc. Cost: $29.99 per 3-liter barrel. (707) 933-2640; redtruckwine.com
Sassy Seating
Liven up an event with funky Fusion chairs. These stackable seats, available for rental from Cort Event Furnishings, come in red, green and clear. Cost: from $30 each. (888) 710-2525; cortevents.com
White on White
A mix of snow-hued blossoms add an elegant touch to tables -- and work with any type of décor. Price for arrangement shown, by Blade Floral and Event Designs, approximately $175. (917) 723-3577; bladenyc.com
Case Closed
Tote your laptop in colorful style with these vibrant covers from Kena Kai. Available in three sizes; cost: $25-$35. (714) 782-7387; kenakai.com
Pure Plates
Stylish Verterra dinnerware adds an earthy touch to any table. It's also one of the greenest products around: Plates and bowls are crafted from fallen palm leaves and pressurized steam alone. Cost: $4.99-$6.49 per package of eight. (718) 383-3333; verterra.com
Saks of Goodies
Saks Fifth Avenue is still a place for luxury goods, but this year especially, the store has lower-priced gifts mixed in for those on a budget. For example, this attractive set of 100 monogrammed coasters (top left) costs just
$50, and a brightly colored personalized leather luggage tag (bottom
left) costs $35. If money is less of an object, check out this
brilliantly complex wine-tasting kit (bottom right) perfect for
aspiring experts, for $200. (877) 551-7257; saks.com
Pop Culture
Set up a lollipop bar featuring Lollyphile's newest
variety -- White Russian, flavored with vodka, cream and coffee liqueur
-- along with established favorites like absinthe and bourbon. Price
per pack of 36 pops, $52. (415) 690-5198; lollyphile.com