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Guilt-free Turkey Day. Overindulging is a Thanksgiving tradition. But as we shift to more eco-friendly behavior, , an online guide to green living, has these ideas for greening Thanksgiving.
Holiday driving can be unavoidable, so try to fill the empty seats in your car. If you don’t know anyone headed your way, and you’re adventurous, Craigslist is one place to arrange carpool rides.
Decorate the table eco-style with gourds from the local farmers market as reusable centerpieces and beeswax candles, which are natural, renewable and thought to help clean your home’s air of allergens. Soy candles are also a good bet.
Buying all organic food can be costly, so consider going organic with Thanksgiving feast staples such as turkey, spinach, celery, apples and coffee.
During cleanup, wipe down your kitchen with all-natural, cheap, Earth-friendly cleansers like vinegar and baking soda.
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Spend less on the home. People often want to make their homes look and feel as good as possible before the holidays. You can do that without breaking the bank by taking advantage of promotions like these:
National Hotel Liquidators, the warehouse store that salvages and resells hotel furnishings at seriously discounted prices, just received a new shipment from The Marriott. The store also has an array of TVs priced under $30. 900 E. 104th Ave., Thornton, 303-452-7733, .
Mod Livin is hosting a Charity Gift Drive through Dec. 23. Customers who bring a charity gift to the shop will receive a $10 gift certificate. 5327 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 720-941-9292, .
Kozo Fine Art Materials is a great resource for the crafty holiday crowd. This month all decorative papers, watercolor blocks, assorted paper packages and select journals are 25 percent off. Fancy Japanese paper and archival quality ink pads also are on sale. 10 E. Ellsworth Ave., Denver, 303-733-2730, kozofineartmaterials .
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Plan now, play later. Weiman Products (weiman.com) offers these ideas to help eliminate some holiday stress even before the season starts.
Clean the refrigerator before loading it up with turkey and mashed potatoes. Start by removing the shelving and drawers, spray down the interior with a solution of 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and clean condiment tops.
Polish the silver. After a year in storage, silver serving pieces and candlesticks may be dusty or tarnished.
Prepare the guest room. Wash the bedding, clean up pet hair and dust drawers and closets.
Make closet space for guest coats and shoes. Place extra hangers in the hall closet and make room if necessary to accommodate guests’ bulky winter jackets. Also, add a welcome mat to help stop dirt and water from entering the home.
