Green Thanksgiving Traditions
We're gearing up for Thanksgiving. And before the food ever hits the table you've got to set the mood. Corey Colwell-Lipson of Celebrate Green shared with us some creative and free ideas for decorating your table, as well as some new traditions you may want to start with your family.
Create a Natural Centerpiece
The day before Thanksgiving, take your family on a hunt for centerpiece items. This could be a walk in the woods or at a park where everyone can collect whatever natural items they like (be sure it is legal to remove items) or at a grocery store for seasonal food items like gourds and nuts. When you get home, work together to create a centerpiece from the items collected. This might be a bowl into which the items are put, or a tray with them artfully arranged or something you build together with a hammer and glue. After the holiday, add a tradition of returning items to nature as appropriate or composting them.
Another idea is a gratitude centerpiece. Hollow out a gourd and place a votive candle inside. Place the gourd in a bowl with small strips of paper surrounding it. Allow your guests to write what they're thankful for on those strips. You can take turns reading your own or make a game out of it and try to guess who wrote what!
Bring Your Own Plate
This works really well if you're expecting more guest than you have place settings for. No need to buy more! Instead ask guests to bring their own place settings (or main plate if you prefer), one that has some sort of story attached, i.e. "This was handed down from my grandma who brought it with her from Italy." Or, "This was my biggest bargain ever! I picked it up at Goodwill for 10 cents." The story is not important, the sharing is what counts.
Remember Lost Loved Ones
Before the meal starts, light a candle in memory of one or more friends or family members who have passed away. Offer the opportunity to anyone who would like to say what this person brought into their life and why they are grateful to have known them. Let the candle burn through the meal.
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