Halloween’s over, Thanksgiving is upon us, and Christmas is just a step away! It is busy time for everyone, but you can still stay green. Here are a few tips to green up your Thanksgiving:
10. Stay Home
Yes, I know the holidays are usually about travel to be with family, but consider staying home. You can help reduce emissions and stress by not taking a trip this year.
9. Travel Smart
Okay, I realize many will ignore #10, so if you do have to travel, travel smart. Make sure the car is working properly before leaving, check your tire pressure, and carpool if possible. If you are flying, consider purchasing carbon credits to offset your emissions.
8. Go Organic
Yes, an organic Thanksgiving dinner can be just as tasty as a non-organic one. Imagine how flavorsome fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides could be! You may even want to rethink your traditional turkey. Consider purchasing an organic free-range turkey or forgoing meat completely for a vegetarian meal.
7. Give Thanks
After all, what is Thanksgiving really about? Green is more than just purchasing products – it is a spiritual, healthier way of life, so stop during the busy holiday to truly give thanks for that which you are thankful.
6. Green Decorations
No, I don’t mean the color green, but eco-friendly decorations. If you are hosting the Thanksgiving party, make sure your decorations are made of recyclable paper or use biodegradable items such as fruit and pine cones to make a beautiful centerpiece.
5. Buy Local
When purchasing fruits and veggies for your big feast day, purchase locally! The food will taste better and it will help your local economy.
4. Plant a Tree
The math is simple – carbon dioxide contributes to global warming and trees absorb carbon dioxide – within one year, just one tree can absorb up to 26 pounds of it.
3. Invite the Neighbors
Some people think of Thanksgiving as just a family holiday, but if you plan to stay home and have a small family, invite your neighbors to come over. Remember, the first Thanksgiving was about being neighborly and sharing.
2. Practice the Three R’s
What are the three R’s? Reduce, recycle, and reuse. Try to reduce your amount of waste, try to recycle as much as possible, and reuse anything possible.
1. Have a Spiritual Day
Going hand and hand with several of the other tips, remember to make Thanksgiving a spiritual day. Our forefathers were looking for a better life for themselves – one that many of us are living today. Be thankful for that and count your blessings.
(This image is a work of an employee of the United States Farm Security Administration or Office of War Information domestic photographic units, created during the course of the person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.)
