- Use Soy Candles - Avoid regular candles, which are made from petroleum, and deteriorate the indoor air quality. Instead, buy soy candles to light your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Shop Local For Your Feast - Farmers markets are a great resource for delicious, seasonal vegetables and fruit for your meal. Plus, it'll help put you in a festive mood, and it isn't nearly as stressful as elbowing your way through the Thanksgiving supermarket crowd.
- Get Outside and Enjoy Nature - Take your family on an after-dinner walk to enjoy the crisp Fall air. It'll also help to burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories.
- Buy Local or Organic Flowers - Head to your farmers market to pick up some local blooms, or order organic through Organic Bouquet.
- Carpool! - There's no reason to drive solo to a big gathering. Coordinate with friends or family to pack your car, and cut down on your carbon footprint.
- Use Cloth Napkins - Cloth napkins, such as these Brown Bird Cotton/Hemp Napkins ($32), will last for years, and won't contribute to the waste stream, which can't be said for paper napkins.
- Turn Off the Electronics - Instead of plunking down in front of a movie, laptop, or video game after dinner, gather family members together for a fun board game or other interactive, lo-fi experience. I love playing charades with my family. What do you like to play with yours?
- Avoid Disposables - Don't even think about purchasing disposable cups or plates, even with a large crowd. Ikea is a great source for cheap glassware and plates, if you need them. Or grab some temporary tableware from a thrift shop if you're feeding a small army.
- Don't Forget to Provide Feasts For Nature Friends - Refill bird, deer, and squirrel feeders and enjoy the view of nature. After all, the feasting shouldn't just be limited to the human crowd!
- Take Advantage of Leftovers - If you have neighbors or friends who could use some Thanksgiving cheer, bring them some nicely boxed leftovers from your feast. Elderly neighbors will especially appreciate the gesture. If you're keeping them for yourself, check out YumSugar's ideas for transforming Thanksgiving leftovers.
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