It’s the time of year when we gather around the table with family and close friends to enjoy a scrumptious meal and think about what we are grateful for in our lives. Yet, Thanksgiving can also get a bit out of control with all the decorations and trimmings. Here are some tips to make your Thanksgiving holiday a bit more sustainable without having to sacrifice tradition.
Food
There’s no doubt that Thanksgiving is heavily focused on food. Here are some ways to create a feast while still being kind to the planet.
- Choose organic and locally grown foods when you can. It’s now even easier to find organic turkeys this time of year.
- Skip the meat. There are many options to create a vegetarian or vegan holiday meal. Consider fish for a pescatarian meal, tofurky or just going with lots of side dishes.
- Serve organic beverages like apple cider, juice, wine and beer.
- Reduce waste by composting leftovers, donating to those in need or creatively reusing the food to make soups, stews, salads and sandwiches.
- Be mindful of which food items you purchase at the grocery store to avoid those wrapped in excessive plastic, such as dips and pre-packaged fruit salads.
Storage
Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers. Here are some great alternatives to plastic storage containers that are healthier for both you and the planet.
- Airtight glass containers: These are a great option for storing, heating up and transporting all kinds of foods and liquids. Secure lids keep liquids from leaking.
- Mason jars and leftover glass jars: You can purchase jars to store your food in or instead of just tossing those extra glass jars from pickles, olives, pasta sauce and salsa into your recycle bin, wash them out for leftovers.
- Insulated stainless steel containers: These durable, long-lasting containers are double-walled and have a silicone seal for airtightness so they keep food and liquids warm or cold for hours.
- Reusable non-plastic wrap: They are made from a blend of hemp and organic cotton cloth that contains beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil to create a self-adhesive to stick to itself so you can create sealed packages and pouches. They are water-resistant, easy to handle, soft, pliable and come in a variety of sizes,
- Fabric Bowl Covers: Use the bowls you already have and slap a fabric bowl cover on top to store leftovers.
Serving
Many families bring out the good china, silverware and eloquent tablecloths. This is a great way to reduce extra waste. However, some families opt for plates and utensils that they can easily discard after the meal to reduce clean up time. Fortunately, you can still choose options that are more sustainable. First, avoid plastic plates and utensils; instead, choose paper (recyclable is best), bamboo or those made from palm leaves.
Next, use real wine glasses, not plastic ones, and don’t serve drinks with plastic straws or stirrers. If possible, use cloth tablecloths instead of a plastic throwaway one.
Decorations
There are many ways to go natural with decorations that still showcase the comforting colors and themes of this holiday.
- Go natural: Instead of running to the stores stocked with plastic decorations, consider using items such as plants, berries, gourds, acorns, twigs and branches, cranberry garlands and colorful flowers and leaves. You can go for a hike before the holiday to collect your special nature décor.
- Make your own: Make decorations from non-plastic materials you have lying around the house.
- Shop second hand: Check out thrift stores, online sites like freecycle.org and garage sales for treasures to add sparkle to your holiday look.
- Trade with friends and family: Organize a decoration swap with friends and family. You can ask guests to bring their favorite Thanksgiving decoration to display during the meal and share why it is meaningful to them.
Give Thanks an Give Back
Another way to bring the environment to the forefront of this bountiful holiday is to spend time giving thanks to what nature provides. This is also the time of year in which giving back becomes a focus. We can help protect our planet by choosing to get involved in community service projects and sending donations to organizations focused on environmental issues. When we give, we feel a sense of gratitude because it puts things in perspective and helps us feel happier and healthier.
Consider buying extra food when you shop and donate it to a local shelter or food bank. Look for volunteer opportunities during the week of Thanksgiving that provide a holiday meal to those in need.
Finally, consider sending a donation to an environmental organization on Giving Tuesday, a global day for sending charitable donations to organizations of your choice that always takes place the Tuesday right after Thanksgiving.
Sandi Schwartz is an award-winning author, freelance journalist and mother of two. As the founder and director of the Ecohappiness Project, her mission is to inspire and educate families to build a nature habit to feel happier and calmer. Learn more at ecohappinessproject.com.