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Decorate in "green" this Thanksgiving
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This is just a first step in my article series on how to make your Thanksgiving a "green" holiday.
Green Decorating Tips:
Does your holiday hosting space need a little dressing up before the guests arrive? Here are some great ideas to keep your Thanksgiving green, yet fun and festive. With a few simple supplies and a little imagination, you can make great eco-friendly Thanksgiving decorations and have a lot of fun in the process. Colored construction paper can be cut or folded into simple Pilgrim, turkey and harvest decorations. Later, the paper can be recycled.
Reuse your old decorations from last year in new way or just make some new ones. Use items from your back yard and fall fabric colors if you have any to make a nice centerpiece. As always the Internet is a great resource for creative ideas. Any bought decorations should also be environmentally friendly, that includes flowers, plants and so on.
* Table fashions: Dress your table to the nines with eco-friendly, reusable table fashions including tablecloths, skirts, and napkins. Options made from sustainable fibers like bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton will amp up the greenness even more.
* Eco-dinnerware: Don’t clog your trash bin with disposable dishes, cutlery, and cups. Instead, choose table tools that are reusable, recycled, or biodegradable.
* Living decorations: Opt for live herb or flowering plants in pretty pots for centerpieces. Or, display an artful arrangement of branches and river stones from your garden or a colorful bowl of fruit.
* Organic bouquets: Can’t live without vibrant blossoms? Seek out organic or local flowers to add a bloomin' green quality to your event. Decorate with organic flowers, branches, dried flowers and (naturally) live poinsettas. Find a florist who recycles and uses local sources. Consider environmentally sensitive Eco Flora or Sierra Flower Trading for your floral arrangements. Green holidays can include green flowers!
* Ban on balloons: Find alternatives to balloons, especially those released outdoors. Even when released far inland, balloons can travel hundreds and even thousands of miles, ending up in the ocean where they kill marine life. If you can’t live without them, choose to play with balloons indoors, being careful to dispose of them properly once the party is over (in the garbage, that is). Most people don't decorate with balloons for Thanksgiving. But it's good to think about it for families with children that love balloons year-round.
Baker’s clay, made from common kitchen ingredients, can be shaped and molded into holiday figures and colored with non-toxic paints or food coloring. You can make baker’s clay to make whimsical turkey, Pilgrim and Indian table decorations that draw compliments from your Thanksgiving guests for years.
Dress in vintage, hemp, organic cotton or silk. Redesigned vintage is unique and chic. Accessorize with enchanting recycled or vintage jewelry, and experiment with all-natural makeup. Vintage jewelry is also a great eco-friendly gift idea.
* Finishing touches: Add the final touches to your Thanksgiving with eco-friendly party decorations. Instead of disposable streamers, opt for reusable ribbon, scarves, or beads. Light the room with natural candles, and opt for banners and signs that can be repurposed at future celebrations. If reusable items aren’t readily available, just be sure to opt for recyclable options—that means foil and vinyl balloons, signs, and confetti are out.
For more information: Visit: www.treehugger.com. Seattle area, Romanza Floral is designing Thanksgiving bouquetts. Aimee Pelligrini is a great florist that Taraneh has used for many events.
Taraneh Guidry is a Seattle area mom of two. She is always looking for tips on how to buy organic, be green and to have a more simple life. You can email her at seattlemommy@verizon.net , She is also on Twitter as Seattlemommy, or Facebook Page under Seattle Mommy
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