Thanksgiving kicks off a season of holidays for many in the U.S. For me Thanksgiving is THE holiday. It’s origin in gratitude for friendship, working together, and celebrating the harvest makes it a superstar of holidays. It is the holiday that’s purpose is to celebrate connections; our connection to one another, our food and the earth.
Here are some green thoughts for the season…
Yule Log
Want to enjoy a warm cup of organic local apple cider by a roaring fire? Make sure your wood is local hardwood like oak or hickory. Those woods burn the longest and provide the most heat. Try an artificial wood log made from recycled wood waste but be sure that the brand you buy does not contain paraffin which is a petroleum based chemical that produces toxins when burned.
Wrapping Paper
Opening presents is fun at every age. Most of the wrapping paper you find in the mega stores in NOT recyclable and therefore ends up in a landfill. Save money and recycle by using the comic’s page or the holiday ads from the newspaper. Try old maps or brown paper bags that your kids (or the inner artist in you) can decorate. Wrap you presents with another useful gift like a scarf or holiday dish towel or bandana. Make “ribbon” by cutting strips of fabric from old sheets, towels or clothing. The ribbon can then be used as a cleaning rag or recycled at a center that takes cloth.
Yummy Holiday Food
The best ways to green your holiday table is to buy local and organic whenever possible. Unless you live in Hawaii your after dinner coffee will not meet that criteria (buy fair trade) but it is easy to buy local when it comes to your turkey, dairy and veggies. Local means you are reducing the carbon footprint of your table and eating more nutritious food as well.
Gift Giving
How about taking recycling to another level and regift for the holidays. Not only is regifting green by it will save you green and in this economy that is sensibly green.
I am not talking about wrapping up the dusty item that you couldn’t give away at your last yard sale. But that that fondue pot resting in the original box in the back of the closet because you are lactose intolerant would be a great gift for your friend who loves to entertain. Think regifting is for you, check out www.regiftingrevival.com.
My sincere thanks to all who are reading this blog; have a joyful holiday filled with gratitude. Remember, small changes that you make can change the world.
