Thanksgiving is in the air, and as we get ready to dress our turkey, we cannot ignore the whirlwind of events that have shaped our recent realities. We've weathered turbulent storms, from Hurricane Helene and the record-breaking heat waves to the Northeast flooding and political movements—indeed we have a lot to be grateful for. We survived! But these challenges remind us why we must cherish and protect our shared home. And we can play our part by having a more sustainable Thanksgiving.

This year, let's express our gratitude not just through words and holiday traditions but by making choices that protect one another and our planet. Let's ensure our Thanksgiving celebration does no harm but instead contributes to a more sustainable future.

Here are 7 sustainable Thanksgiving tips to help you spread love in a more conscious way:

1. Use Sustainable Decor

One of the best ways to host an eco-friendly Thanksgiving is to use sustainable decor. Opt for block print tablecloths and table runners made from organic cotton or linen (cotton will help you save costs), which are more sustainable than synthetic fabrics. If your curtains need an update, consider going for block print curtains.

Candles made from soy or beeswax are perfect for adding warmth and ambiance without the harmful byproducts of paraffin candles.

Finally, use biodegradable materials like dried leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins to create beautiful centerpieces.

Pro tip: Be mindful with your Thanksgiving decor, as you don't want to go overboard and create more waste. Consider repurposing items you already have, such as mason jars and glass bottles as decorative accents. The goal is to make your Thanksgiving truly eco-conscious.

2. Eco-Friendly Table Setting

Choosing sustainable tableware and dinner settings is another step towards achieving an eco-friendly Thanksgiving. This year, consider ditching disposable plates, napkins, and cups for reusable ones.

While disposable paper towels may sound like the standard for holiday parties, reusable cloth napkins are more eco-friendly. They're reusable, helping you reduce waste and future expenditure. You can wash and reuse cotton cloth napkins for Christmas, New Year, and even your everyday family dinners. Plus, cloth napkins are more elegant.

Here are some fun napkin folding ideas to spruce up your Thanksgiving table setting.

If you expect lots of guests, consider buying disposable bamboo plates and cutlery instead of plastic ones. Bamboo biodegrades fast.

3. Reduce Food Waste

30-40% of food supply in the US is wasted. Never eaten. During Thanksgiving, 200 million lbs. of food gets tossed out. This isn't sustainable, as a lot of wildlife and other limited resources are consumed during food production. In fact, the food industry has the second largest environmental impact, just below fossil fuels. It is a major contributor to climate change.

This Thanksgiving, let's be more mindful and conscious of our meal preparation. Write a grocery list of what you need and how many guests you expect, Then create a holiday meal plan.

Skip any dish you're unsure anyone will eat. Or make a very small portion.

Also, compost inedible food scraps or leftovers.

This will help reduce your Thanksgiving waste.

4. Shop Locally

One way to be more sustainable this Thanksgiving is to shop locally. Why?

Supporting local businesses helps boost your local economy. What's more, by shopping locally grown and organic foods, you support the farmers giving their all to supply us with fresh produce.

Plus, buying locally means the product takes less carbon emission to get to you, reducing your carbon footprint.

Shopping locally grown foods also promotes organic farming, thereby reducing environmental pollution form artificial processing and toxic chemicals.

5. Shop Consciously

This Thanksgiving, let's rethink the way we shop. Be mindful of the brands you buy from and how their practices affect the environment and their workers. Do they employ sustainable production? Are their products eco-friendly? Do they treat their workers fairly?

To make your Thanksgiving more conscious, shop from sustainable brands, buy only what you need, and consider how the item affects the environment. Most importantly, minimize plastic waste.

Shopping mindfully this holiday season can help reduce waste while financially supporting ethical businesses that care about sustainability and a healthier planet for us all.

6. More Veggies, Less Meat

More than 70 billion animals are killed each year for food. But hey, no Thanksgiving is complete without the turkey. And no, we're not asking you to ditch it. What you can do to make your Thanksgiving meals more sustainable is to replace one or two animal-based foods with plant-based ones.

If you're vegan or have some vegan friends, this is easier to pull off. So consider crafting an entirely plant-based dish for your vegan guests.

7. Donate, Donate, Donate

Lastly, what is Thanksgiving without sharing love? We have a lot to be grateful for. But we cannot ignore those who are in a less favorable situation than us.

From shelters to food pantries and orphanages, the needy are all around us.

You can donate your old clothes, extra food items, and leftover turkey. Imagine the smile you'll be putting on someone's face by so doing. This is another way to reduce waste during Thanksgiving.

It doesn't matter what your plan is for Thanksgiving. It's all about being mindful and conscious of how you go about it. Eat, party, and be merry, but doing so sustainably can go a long way. If these tips seem hard to pull off, just consider how much money you'll save by buying only what's necessary and reusable.

Together, we can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Happy Thanksgiving!