Category: Holidays

bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste Mother’s Day!

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Hey earth muffins! This is a friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is on Sunday. 😊 I am so excited to announce that I am officially immune after my second Pfizer vaccine! I look forward to celebrating with my mom in-person this weekend! While Mother’s Day doesn’t create as much waste as larger holidays, it is still important to remind yourself to stay conscious about your impact. A zero waste Mother’s Day isn’t far out of reach; I hope these suggestions inspire you to make small adjustments to your weekend plans.

A picture of a cup of coffee with macarons with a sign that says Happy Mothers Day

Use craft supplies around the house to make a personalized card for your Mom.

Remember the days when you would make handmade cards for your mom in elementary school? Well, I personally still love a good homemade card! You can use any art supplies you already have at home. From paper to paint to watercolors, there are so many great options to get creative. I personally love “punny” cards, so I recommend checking out Pinterest if you need a bit of inspiration. If you really can’t get yourself to bust out the art supplies, try looking at local thrift stores to see if they have any cute cards.

Make some delicious breakfast in bed (or dinner) with sustainable ingredients.

When I was little, my dad and I would always make my mom breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. To make this a little more eco-friendly, try opting out of meat or selecting vegan options if possible. If you go the extra mile to bake something from scratch, I highly suggest sourcing ingredients from the bulk bins or selecting items in sustainable packaging. Bon appetit!

Get a zero waste Mother’s Day gift!

I wrote a post all about my eco-friendly Mother’s Day gift suggestions – make sure to check that out! Another one of my favorites is to buy felt flowers instead of real ones. Did you know that cut flowers aren’t very sustainable? Many flowers travel hundreds or thousands of miles to get to their end destinations… And then only last a few weeks. Not to mention the pesticides used to grow them. Felt flowers are such a great gift idea for many reasons. First, they are beautiful and will last a lifetime! 🌻 You can also support some awesome small businesses by buying them from Etsy or Fair Trade Winds. I personally am a huge fan of flowers as decoration, so this is an awesome sustainable alternative to cut flowers for a zero waste Mother’s Day.

A picture of a felt flower bouquet

If your mom likes sweet treats, bake them yourself!

While cakes and chocolate aren’t typically associated with Mother’s Day, there is nothing wrong with showing your mom some appreciation with baked goods. Baking from scratch is much more rewarding (and tasty) than chemical-filled baking mixes… Try out a new recipe from Pinterest and see what delicious treat you can make! Again, try to source your ingredients from bulk or sustainable packaging.

Make your zero waste Mother’s Day special by spending the day doing something she loves.

If she loves to garden, spend some time outside with her. Did her favorite restaurant finally open dine-in service again? Treat her to dinner! Or, hit up her favorite local boutiques and buy her something she loves. There are so many options to enjoy quality time together without hurting the planet! Celebrating locally is a great way to help your community during this tough time too.

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Conclusion

There are so many great ways to celebrate your mother and Mother Earth this weekend. Get creative and make sure your mom is the center of your festivities. Whether you decide to make her a new cookie recipe or buy some adorable felt flowers, your mom deserves to be treated like a queen on her special day. And to all you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day from Life of an Earth Muffin! 😍

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Have a Zero Waste Easter!

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Hey earth muffins! I can’t believe that Lent is almost over and Easter is around the corner… I am SO ready for some spring weather. Winter is tough for me in terms of work and seasonal depression; having some sunshine and warmer temperatures is going to make my life much better. 😊 With Easter just around the corner, many people are making plans on how they are going to celebrate. So, when you and your loved ones are deciding this, opt for an eco-friendly Easter this year! As I’ve done for many other holidays, here are my tips for having an amazing, zero waste Easter! 🐰

A picture of pastel Easter eggs

Stream the Easter Vigil or Mass online.

While many people are getting the vaccine, it is important to stay safe this holiday. Church services are central to many celebrations of Easter, so see if your church has a live stream service online. You can still dress up in your best spring fashion, but you can opt out of a mask (unless, of course, your family decides that masks should still be worn). The cathedral I attend has been live streaming their services for years even before the pandemic, so I will be tuning into their Mass with my family. ⛪

Thrift your Easter decor (including eggs!)

I’m always amazed at the cute holiday decor I can find at my local thrift stores. I’m not one to have a ton of holiday decor around the apartment, but I’ll definitely put up a bunny or two. Shopping secondhand is a great way to reduce your impact on the planet. Plus, you can find some unique treasures that no one else has! 🐇 One of my favorite local thrifts had bags of plastic Easter eggs too – perfect for any Easter egg hunt! If you can’t find secondhand eggs, opt for wooden ones instead of plastic.

Reuse your Easter basket every year – and thrift it!

Even when it isn’t springtime, baskets are everywhere in thrift, secondhand, and antique stores. Find a cute one and then reuse it every year for the Easter Bunny’s treats! If it isn’t too spring-colored, you can even use it around the house until it is needed for the holiday. I remember using the same basket every year growing up, and it was super fun to bring it out each year when we were decorating for the holiday. If you are gifted other baskets from family and friends, find a good use for them as well – don’t just toss or donate!

A picture of an Easter basket full of candy and toys

Choose bulk candy and/or avoid plastic packaging.

The bulk bins are my favorite – and you can find some delicious treats to fill up Easter baskets! Not only is bulk bin shopping easy, it reduces a ton of packaging if you bring your own bags to fill. If you don’t have a lot of candy options in bulk, you can fill Easter eggs with special notes, drawings, money, or little secondhand trinkets. Depending on your bulk bins, you might not have any candy options… If that is true, buy large bags of candy that aren’t individually packaged to save on waste. 🙌

Avoid plastic Easter grass!

Even as a kid, I hated Easter grass. It got in the way of my precious Easter candy and got EVERYWHERE. Now, I hate it because it is super wasteful and bad for the planet. Opt for paper grass or cloth stuffing materials, reuse the Easter grass you already have, or just use no grass. Your basket will be just as pretty if it is a zero waste Easter one!

Dye eggs with natural dyes.

There are a bunch of ways to dye your eggs in a natural way. If you don’t want to go through all of the trouble, see if your secondhand store has dye kits. I saw a bunch at my local thrift store – just make sure the expiration date is okay! You could also skip the dyes and use brown eggs and paint markers instead!

A picture of brown Easter eggs on a decorated table

Go meatless and skip the ham.

After being vegetarian for over a year, the meat I miss the most is my mom’s Easter ham… BUT, save the planet and go meatless for your Easter dinner! This year, my mom got me a “ham” from the brand Tofurky… So get creative and figure out how to have a delicious vegetarian feast as well! Be conscious of the amount of food too, and do your part to reduce food waste!

Stream your favorite Easter films.

My family seems to have movies to watch for each holiday. We always watch It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (affiliate link) and Here Comes Peter Cottontail (affiliate link) for Easter! If you also have a similar tradition, stream your Easter movies as you eat some of your bulk candy or make popcorn from bulk kernels!

Get your Easter dress secondhand!

I’ve always been a fan of cute spring dresses, so it was always fun to get super dressed up for Easter. Hit up your local thrift stores and find some super cute pieces to wear. Or, rent a dress online from sites like Rent the Runway. If your family is into Easter bonnets, try DIYing yours this year! 😍

Overall, it isn’t that difficult to have a zero waste Easter – you just have to be mindful of the waste your celebration is creating. I hope everyone is planning to celebrate in a safe, eco-friendly way, and I bet the Easter Bunny (and Easter Beagle) won’t forget to stop at your house! 😊 Happy Easter!

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste St. Patrick’s Day!

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Hey earth muffins! Believe it or not, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner… And then Easter is not far behind! I have never really done much to celebrate St. Patty’s Day; but, as it is a major holiday, I just couldn’t skip over writing another sustainable holiday post. Today, I wanted to share my list of how you can celebrate a zero waste St Patrick’s Day this year! Holidays tend to create more waste than a typical day, so it is important to be mindful of how sustainable your celebrations are. Let’s jump right in!

A picture of two St. Patrick's Day mugs

Wear green!

Wearing some sort of green is a tradition for St. Patrick’s Day. This is the one thing I try to do every year! Looking through my current closet, I actually don’t have any green to wear… Instead of going out and buying something to wear for just one day, borrow from a friend or family member. My boyfriend has a couple green sweatshirts, so I can just steal one of those! If none of your friends have green, then you can check to see if there are any cute items at the thrift store. Make sure you will wear it on a “normal” day too – buying a St. Patty’s themed shirt is silly because it sits in your closet for 364 days of the year.

Play some tricks.

Similar to the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus, my parents tricked my siblings and I into believing that the Leprechaun was real. He would cause chaos in our house each St. Patty’s by messing up our orderly toys and dyeing the milk green. While playing some tricks on your roomates is clearly zero waste, I would steer clear of the food dyes that come in plastic. I have been making my own seed/nut milks recently; pumpkin seed milk (from raw pumpkin seeds) is already a light shade of green. Maybe opt for this instead! ☘️

Do some zero waste cooking!

There are tons of amazing Irish meals you can cook for this holiday. Try to source all of your ingredients from bulk bins, glass containers, or loose items. 😊 If cooking a whole Irish meal seems like too much, try making one thing. I personally would recommend some delicous soda bread! For those who aren’t into cooking, support a local Irish pub or restaurant. Try to eat in if there aren’t COVID restrictions; takeout always creates more waste than necessary!

A picture of a loaf of Irish soda bread

Learn to Irish jig or listen to some Irish music.

While learning the jig might sound stupid, it is always fun to try something new! 👯‍♂️ Plus, having a few random dance moves in your back pocket is always a good idea. I taught myself how to moonwalk in middle school, and there have been numerous times where I’ve shocked people because they didn’t believe I could actually do it. If dancing isn’t your thing, listen to some classic Irish music. Or, listen to Spotify’s top songs in Ireland – I love that you can listen to what is popular in other countries!

Skip those gold coin chocolates.

For one, they don’t even taste good haha. And they create a lot of extra waste. Instead of those candies, look for some other sweet treat in the bulk bins. If you can’t find any good options, you could always make your own chocolates or candy!

Attend a virtual St. Patrick’s Day parade!

Every holiday I am always amazed at the number of virtual events you can stream. I bet if you go on YouTube you will be able to stream a bunch of different celebrations from Ireland! If you can’t find any, there are sure to be ones from prior years that you can watch. 🍻 I personally will probably watch a St. Patrick themed movie, such as Luck of the Irish.

There you have it – some awesome ways to have a zero waste St Patrick’s Day! 🇮🇪 I hope your holiday is lucky and full of gold! 🍀

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Have a Zero Waste Mardi Gras (and Lent)!

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Hey earth muffins, happy Fat Tuesday! 😊 I can’t believe Lent starts tomorrow… Easter and spring are just around the corner! As a practicing Catholic, I’ve always loved to challenge myself during Lent to improve my life in some way. I gave up YouTube a few years ago, stopped going on social media another time – there are so many ways to push yourself! Fat Tuesday is a time to celebrate before Lent begins, so I thought it would be fun to share ways to have a zero waste Mardi Gras. I’ve never been one to party hard on this day, but there are still so many ways to enjoy the holiday! 🎉

A picture of Mardi Gras masks

~Avoid plastic party favors/beads!

Mister Corona is still (unfortunately) an issue, so most Mardi Gras parties, parades, etc. have been cancelled or moved online. But, if you find your housemates or family having a party to celebrate, avoid any type of plastic party favor. I think this goes for any party, as favors tend to get used for a few hours and then chucked in the trash. Plus, do you really need a plastic bead necklace to remember the memories you have?

~If you are drinking anything, choose glass (or metal cans).

I think it goes without saying that glass should be your first choice when it comes to purchasing beverages. Metal cans can usually be recycled curbside or returned to stores, but glass is always the best alternative. Avoid plastic containers as much as you can!

~Find a local shop to buy your Paczki

A picture of two paczki donuts and a glass of milk

Have you ever had a Paczki? These are a staple when celebrating a Polish Mardi Gras… Even if you aren’t Polish, these delicious donuts are usually only around for Fat Tuesday; make sure you get them before they are sold out. Word from the wise: pre-ordering is the way to go! 😊 I have personally found that the best paczki are made by local bakeries and donut shops. Many donut chains like Tim Hortons will make “paczki” on Mardi Gras, but they usually just taste like their typical filled donuts. A real paczki doesn’t taste exactly like a donut – plus, you can find some more unique (and traditional) filling flavors at local shops. Ask your local shop to only use a cardboard box when packaging, then compost or recycle it!

~Reduce your food waste – compost if needed!

Just as the name implies, Fat Tuesday is often about eating a lot of food; some people take the name a little too literally. I guess maybe they are preparing for the fasting on Ash Wednesday? Regardless if you decide to eat a lot or not, make sure you are consciously trying to cut back on food waste! I’ve written a post all about my top tips for reducing food waste at home, so give that a read if you haven’t already! A zero waste Mardi Gras should be one where there isn’t extra wasted food lying around. If you do find yourself with extra paczki, make sure you 1) give it to someone who will eat it or 2) compost it! I can honestly say the best decision I made in 2020 was to start composting in my apartment – I’ve saved SO much waste from going to the landfill!

~Think of an eco challenge for yourself this Lent!

Sure, Lent is a religious thing but I’ve always tried to do extra “challenges” to improve my daily life as well. If you are feeling up for it, try to think of an eco-friendly goal you would like to do from Mardi Gras to Easter. This could be decluttering, adopting a few new eco swaps, or volunteering for our planet! My boyfriend and I have decided to do a (modified) “Less is More” challenge. Every day of Lent we will be picking one new item to donate. I’ve decluttered a lot since my eco journey began. But, it will be awesome to pass on more items to someone who will use it more.

A picture of zero waste shopping with jars and loose vegetables

~Try not to eat meat the WHOLE Lenten season

Most Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent. (As a vegetarian, this is definitely not something I need to worry about this year haha.) If you still eat meat, an awesome Lent goal could be to stop eating meat the whole 30 days! The meat industry is horrible for the planet; this is a great way to reduce your impact on the earth for a month or so. Plus, if you have been thinking about becoming a vegetarian, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try! Who knows, you might absolutely love it and make the switch completely. 😍 All in all, there are so many ways to make your Mardi Gras zero waste. Here’s to the upcoming growth we shall see during this Lenten season!

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste Valentine’s Day

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Hey earth muffins! It is crazy to think that Valentine’s Day is almost here! 😍 I love spoiling my friends and family with candy and cards, and it is the first year my boyfriend and I have been together on actual Valentine’s Day (thanks a lot long distance). Plus, February 15th marks the end of my busy season at work… So, I’ve been counting down the days to this holiday! 😊 In the spirit of sustainability, I thought now would be the perfect time to share some ways you can celebrate while still being kind to the planet. Here is my list on how you can celebrate a zero waste Valentine’s Day. Let’s get started!

Bake some zero waste goodies!

A picture of two hands holding a heart cookie

You need some kind of tasty treat for Valentine’s Day. It’s basically a proven fact of life. How can you celebrate a day of love without treating your stomach to something sugary? There are plenty of options to do some zero waste baking. Make your favorite cookie recipe. I personally love to make heart sugar cookies with adorable sprinkles. 🍪 Attempt making homemade truffles or chocolate bars. I tried this over Christmas and it wasn’t too difficult (but it does take some time). Or treat yourself (and your loved ones) to candy from the bulk bins! While you are baking, make sure to think about how you can reduce any food waste. I personally like to compost any leftovers!

Have a romantic movie marathon

It seems like during this pandemic my boyfriend and I have been watching a lot of TV/movies… But, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to put on your favorite rom coms! If I would have to pick, I think my favorites would be:

–10 Things I Hate About You
–The Princess Bride
–A Cinderella Story
(affiliate links)

I personally would throw a few Disney movies in a romantic movie marathon as well. 😉 I suggust:

–Tangled (the lantern scene will forever be my favorite scene of any movie!)
–The Princess and the Frog (watch this for the romance of Ray and Evangeline… This is the only Disney movie that has ever made me cry)

Once you have indulged yourself in some romantic movies, you can totally get a little freaky. 😚 (It is Valentine’s Day after all.)

Make homemade Valentines!

A picture of a bunch of homemade valentines cards

Who doesn’t love getting a card in the mail? In the spirit of spreading kindness and cheer on this day, I suggest making a bunch of valentines. Use whatever craft supplies you have around the house – get creative! You can give these to your partner, friends, family, neighbors, even yourself! I personally think this is a great time to support Cards for Hospitalized Kids too. This organization accepts cards for any holiday and distributes them to kids in the hospital. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I made a batch of valentines this year…. I urge you to do the same! 😍 Give a little love to those who truly need it most!

Have a stay at home date night

Most couples head out for Valentine’s Day, but, due to Mister Corona, that is not going to be the case this year. I say embrace it – recreate what you would have done! Put on your fanciest dress, do your hair, throw on some makeup. Order food from your favorite local establishment (support small business!), pour some wine, turn on some smooth jazz, and have a great dinner in. You don’t need a date for this either; treat yourself to an amazing meal because you deserve it!

Celebrate your love by having some deep conversations

Valentine’s Day is a great day to reflect on your relationship with your partner. Deep conversations can sometimes be difficult to start, but they are so worth it! You should always be growing as a couple, so take time to talk about what could improve in your relationship. I’ve always found setting goals to be super helpful, so I encourage you all to do the same. 🙂 If you aren’t in a relationship, you can still have deep conversations with yourself. Think about where you want to be in life and make a plan on how to get there! A zero waste Valentine’s Day is not complete without a little self love. ❤️ How will you be celebrating this year?

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste Christmas

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Hey earth muffins, happy Christmas Eve to all those who celebrate! 🎄 With Christmas less than a day away, I wanted to share this post to remind you all that the holidays can be sustainable! Especially this year, celebrations will be different. So, take that opportunity to reduce your impact on the planet too! I am lucky that my family (and my own household) has been staying safe in our respective bubbles. This allowed me to still go home for Christmas this year which I am extremely grateful for. Here are some of my top suggestions on how you can celebrate a zero waste Christmas this year! 😊

Wrap your gifts in reusables.

A picture of presents wrapped in reusable fabric gift wraps

You might have seen this picture on my Instagram, but I thought it was worth mentioning in a post too. Instead of using wrapping paper, use fabric wraps! I bought these at Lush and plan on using them every year for the same family member. However, an even better zero waste solution is to use fabrics you already have around the house. Or, hit up your local thrift shop as I always see some pretty adorable printed fabric at mine. Just thinking about all of the single use wrapping paper trash that is created on Christmas makes my head spin; reusables are always a better option! 🎁

Donate to your local community.

Many people won’t be able to celebrate Christmas with their families this year. Instead of large gatherings with lots of food, there might be a small dinner or even dinner for one. If you were supposed to host a large amount of people, donate the food you would have bought to families in need in your community. The pandemic hit everyone – share what you can in the giving season! If you aren’t sure how to donate food, then write a check instead. Most organizations allow you to donate online, which is a great contactless way to give.

Use actual dishes, silverware, and cloth napkins for Christmas dinner!

Like I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post this year, it is so much better for the planet to use reusables at the dinner table. Even if the number of guests only includes your household members, you can still make the dinner nice! I personally will be folding napkins into Christmas trees for our fancy dinner. It is actually super easy to do, and looks adorable! On top of the reusables, think about reducing the meats at your feast. Even if you just swap the meat in one dish for a protein replacement, you will have a better impact on Mother Earth already!

Attend virtual church celebrations.

I used to go to church every week before the pandemic hit. While the churches in my area are actually open (with limited capacity of course), I don’t feel the need to go and spread germs. Watching church livestreams or on YouTube is a great alternative. You can still dress up like you were actually going but then can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your home. The true meaning of Christmas is important to remember, especially during this challenging time for many.

Make a plan for all those cookies and treats.

A picture of a gingerbread christmas cookie

I know my family always goes a little nuts when it comes to baking this time of year… But a zero waste Christmas requires you to have a good plan to reduce your food waste. I’ve written a whole post about how you can avoid throwing away excess food; definitely check it out for some ideas like sharing with your neighbors or even freezing leftovers!

Relax with your loved ones!

Christmas is a time to unwind and chill for a whole day. Who says you even have to change out of your pajamas? Spend some quality time with your family playing board games, drinking low waste hot cocoa, playing outside, or watching your favorite Christmas movies. My family always watches A Christmas Story each year, which is a great tradition that I look forward to. What will you be doing this year to celebrate the holiday?

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderTips for Getting the BEST Secondhand Holiday Decor

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Hey earth muffins! With the holiday season just around the corner, there are decorations everywhere! I think decorating my apartment is one of my favorite things to do in December. From the tree to cookie plates for Santa, what’s not to love? 🎅 Believe it or not, you don’t have to purchase all of your holiday decor from big-box stores. If you are on an eco journey, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Christmas decorations either. There are plenty of ways to acquire used decor; here are my top tips for getting the best secondhand holiday decor pieces!

A picture of the lights of a Christmas tree

Where to Get the Best Secondhand Pieces

The first place to look is the basements, attics, and storage units of friends and family! It seems like everyone has a small collection of holiday decor hidden somewhere. If they aren’t using it, they might gladly give it to you! The tree I have in my apartment was in my boyfriend’s mom’s storage unit, along with two others that she wasn’t putting up. She already had her favorite tree in the living room, so it was a no-brainer to let us borrow one! 🎄

If they are open where you live, try checking out thrift stores too. Again, people usually have way too much holiday decor; so, it often ends up at the thrift. Most of my local shops have sections dedicated to the next holiday, and I’ve been able to find some really great pieces! I haven’t been able to look for any Christmas decor this year due to Mister Corona, but I’d highly suggest it in a more “normal” year. 😊

A picture of an antique ornament

I’d also recommend combing through some antique stores. While the decorations may be priced a bit higher than a thrift store, you can probably find some very unique pieces! I personally really like finding old ornaments at antique stores. It is so cool to think about where it came from, and if there are any others like it out there. ❄️

Another great way to get secondhand decor is on Facebook Marketplace. Because it is already the holiday season, the choices might be limited… But, if you look in October (or even earlier) you should be able to find some cool things! I’ve written a whole post about how you can get the best deals on Marketplace, so I recommend checking that post out as well! You could also check out many other resale sites/apps: Ebay, Freecycle, OfferUp, etc.

A picture of the Christmas listings in Grand Rapids

Other Tips for Secondhand Holiday Decor

Secondhand decor is great because it reuses what has already been taken from the planet (in terms of resources). It also prevents things from heading to the landfill! While it is awesome, you could still buy new if the decor piece is sustainable. I personally recommend checking out Etsy to find handmade pieces. That way you can ensure the product is made with eco-friendly materials while supporting a small business. Plus, Etsy offsets the carbon from every order! 😍 I have been sifting through stocking listings recently, as I think hand knitted ones would look amazing in my apartment.

A picture of a knitted Christmas stocking

Lastly, don’t be afraid to make your own holiday decor! Try your hand in salt dough ornaments, make a gingerbread house from scratch, or make paper snowflakes from newspaper/used paper. The ideas are endless! Make sure you are following me on Pinterest, as I often pin my favorite holiday DIY projects. I hope these tips help you get the best secondhand holiday decor pieces – your home is going to look awesome for the holiday season! 🎄

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWays to Celebrate an Eco Friendly Thanksgiving!

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Hey earth muffins! 2020 had its ups and downs, but I hope that you all are still thankful for something… Whether it be a family in good health or lockdown increasing your free time. 😊 Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays; you basically just eat food all day! While many Thanksgiving celebrations will look a little different this year, I hope everyone still feasts in some way. To ensure your holiday is “green”, here are my recommendations for an eco-friendly Thanksgiving!

A picture of an autumn forest with the words give thanks

Tips for a Zero Waste Turkey Dinner

I think the trend for this year (with Mister Corona) is smaller gatherings for Thanksgiving dinner. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it could lead to some excess food waste if the recipes aren’t modified for the new guest list. Food waste is a huge problem worldwide, so I suggest reading some of my tips to reduce food waste as much as possible! 😍

Some grocery stores are still struggling to stock everything, which might mean you weren’t able to get all of your usual ingredients. Don’t be afraid to stray from tradition – try something new this year! Especially if less people are there to judge the food, you might as well see if a new dish could be added to the turkey feast.

On a similar note, try to add more eco-friendly ingredients to your meal. Shop local at the farmer’s market or deli, use more plant-based foods, and try to avoid plastic packaging as much as possible. Holidays centered around food lead to a lot of waste in general, so do your part to avoid that as much as possible!

Set your table with reusables! I have been designated as the napkin folder in my family. My mom has nice cloth napkins for every holiday, and I find a creative way to fold them. While the Christmas tree fold is my personal favorite, there are a bunch of different ways to fold them for Thanksgiving! Having a fancy table set with a tablecloth, napkins, and nice dishes really makes your dinner feel like a feast. Plus, it saves on waste!

A picture of a thanksgiving table set with cloth napkins

Try Skyping in family members that are usually there. 😊 I mentioned in my ways to celebrate Halloween post that a virtual party is a great way to adapt to this year. I actually know people who do this yearly on Thanksgiving due to family in different countries, so why not give it a try? This will definitely make the holiday feel more “normal” as well. A great eco friendly way to celebrate Thanksgiving! 🦃

Other Eco Friendly Thanksgiving Ideas!

Thanksgiving in my family has always been more than just dinner. It is a day to be with your loved ones and reflect on the “goods” of the past year. Take some time and write down all of the things you are grateful for. 2020 had a lot of bad in it, but I bet you will still be able to come up with a list of the goods. My family likes to write down the five biggest things we are thankful for and then share them at dinner; it is such a great way to reflect together and see what each family member is thankful for!

A picture of a letterboard with the words Grateful on it

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! My family watches it every single year, and I’m happy it wasn’t totally cancelled this year. While it will be different, I bet they will try to make it as “normal” as possible. I personally love to watch the snippets from Broadway shows at the very beginning; but, it is also fun to see all of the people celebrating in New York! 😊 Santa’s float is always the last one. It marks the start of the holiday season, but I may have already started listening to Christmas music… 🤫

If you are able to, watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. My family watches the Peanuts on many of the major holidays. I know that for Halloween at least they stopped putting it on TV this year, but I suggest trying to find it another way! The movies are really short and bring back a lot of nostalgia. Plus, I don’t think there are many other films centered around Thanksgiving. 😂

Regardless of who you are celebrating with this Thanksgiving, I hope you find ways to make your holiday “green”. And, take some time to truly reflect on what you are thankful for. It will make you feel great, I promise! I am thankful that I have such amazing readers here on Life of an Earth Muffin! 🌎❤️ I wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day this week!

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Love,
Jenna ♥

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