Seven Great Ideas to Green Up Your Thanksgiving

It's my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving. Let's face it, as an American holiday it is tops on the list. There is nothing like the traditional turkey with all the trimmings. It is lovingly placed on a table that is packed with friends and family members. Much time, love and effort has been put into that Thanksgiving meal.

When we think of how to make our lives greener, holidays aren't tops on our priority list. We really don't want to give up anything that makes this, or any other holiday, special. Another fact about this holiday season is that many of us have been forced to tighten the holds on our wallets. Even the current economy cannot lessen how we celebrate Thanksgiving. There are ways where we can keep within our budget and still have a greener Thanksgiving. Keep reading for 7 ways you can tweak your Thanksgiving celebration.

#7 - Don't scrimp on the important stuff, I mean the bird! The main focus of any Thanksgiving table is the turkey. Many mainstream grocery stores are offering turkey for just pennies. While this temptation to save money may be almost overwhelming consider your choices.

A free-range bird is a greener, healthier choice. You won't have a bird that has been pumped full of hormones and antibiotics. Your turkey will be one that has been treated humanely. Go a step further and get a local bird. Skip the middleman and mass transportation altogether and see if you can find a local farmer to provide you with your bird. When it comes down to cost in the end purchasing a free-range organic bird from a local source is not that much more expensive. Do your homework and comparison-shop. Remember to factor in the health benefits as well.

#6 - Plan ahead as much as possible. Make out that menu as far in advance as possible. I know that sometimes that just isn't an option. Those of you who can foods are thinking of what will go on your Thanksgiving table in the summer as you are growing your organic vegetables. Most of us though just aren't that organized. However, the more we try, the greener we become, honest ... let me explain.

When you go shopping, and you have that menu and your list. You will know what you need and how much. You can get all your shopping done in one trip. You can buy in bulk if you need to. You can get the better selection of organic produce.

That little last minute trip to the store for those items you forgot, cost you in more ways than one. First you are using fossil fuels, unless you walk, which for many of us is not an option. If we are doing last minute shopping for forgotten items than more than likely we have not done our homework to see where it is the least expensive and may end up paying more for it. Not to mention the closer we get to the big day the less of a selection that we will have.

Planning can really help your greening effort. It also helps with the stress levels.

#5 - Try something new at the Thanksgiving meal. It is a holiday of traditions. We don't want to miss out on any of the goodies that we associate with the meal, but let's think about making new traditions.

For an example those traditional mashed sweet potatoes with the marshmallows on top. While this is so linked with this holiday it isn't the greenest, or the healthiest option. Just read the label of those canned sweet potatoes and I am sure you will get what I mean. You can on the other hand purchase sweet potatoes raw. You sure can. They are right there next to the white red and yellow potatoes. Try fixing a few from scratch this year. It's the greener choice. It is so much more healthy and you may even find you like the taste better.

Cranberries too are a good thing to make from scratch. I could never figure out what that cranberry gel was anyways. Real cranberries will give you so much more nutrients, are abundant this time of year, and are amazingly low priced.

#4 - Table settings and dishes on the cheap. We all want our tables to look like the front of those food magazines. There is an easier way than running up your visa bill and a whole lot cheaper. For things such as plates, serving dishes and utensils shop Good Will. You will be amazed at what you will find there. The prices can't be beat and the selections are so varied. If you don't find what you are looking for the first time, keep looking. Selections change constantly. When Aunt Jean ohhs and ahhs over your pretty serving bowls and asks where you got them, you don't have to tell her, just be mysterious and smile. No one will ever know.

#3 - Thanksgiving decorations on the green. For starters I am not one for decorating for Thanksgiving. To me it is all about the food, but I do understand that for many it is a tradition. For starters get decorations that you can use repeatedly. Every year I take out chair covers that I must have made a decade ago. We don't buy new, we reuse. Find things that you can use on every year. We can also revisit #4. Let's use what someone else used last year on the cheap. The Good Will is a great place to find any holiday decoration.

#2 - Look at your leftovers. One of the great things about leftovers is the sandwiches the next day. There does come a point though when you can no longer look at another piece of turkey. Unfortunate, but it does happen. Plan for those leftovers.

Plan on what to put them in. The greener option is reusable containers. They have come out with a brand of greener storage bags, but they are still just use and toss. Use your plastic containers with covers to store those leftovers. They also fit better in your fridge than just putting plastic wrap on top of your pretty serving bowls.

Use your freezer. If you have bought a larger bird, you can portion the leftovers for future meals. While the kids may object to turkey casserole for 5 days straight after Thanksgiving, think of how great a turkey potpie will be, come mid January. You can freeze those vegetables to be put in soups and stews for later too.

#1 - The greenest way to celebrate your holiday is to share with others. Know a family that will be celebrating alone? A single parent that will just be at home with their kids? Invite them over to share your meal. You are combining all your resources so you are being greener. You are also sharing what the holiday season is all about.

I hope this has given you ideas on how to green up your Thanksgiving. These are only 7 ideas. I have faith in you. I think that if you and yours put your thinking caps on you will come up with a lot more ideas on how to green up your holidays!