Celebrate green & safe
Update last year’s decorations
Adding cinnamon sticks or twigs to old candles can update a well-used decoration year after year without spending a lot of money.
Shop the season
For holiday meals, use as many seasonal, regionally-grown and organic foods as possible. Farmers markets are a great source for foods, holiday greens and flowers. A few farmers markets are still open during the late fall and winter.
Shop second-hand
You can decorate your home for the holidays or spruce up your table settings with a trip to a second-hand store. Check the store’s website in advance for their Covid hours and procedures. Can you believe we got every item for this place setting at one local thrift store? And the grand total? $15.
Natural centerpiece
Ask neighbors if you can trim a little of their holly, cedar, corkscrew willow, or plants with berries to use for holiday decorating. Cranberries, popcorn, fruits and nuts also make fun decorations. After the holidays you can eat them, compost them or give them to the birds. For this centerpiece, we found cranberries at the local farmers market and the glass vase at a thrift store.
Recycle food scraps
Be sure you put all your food scraps and food-soiled paper in your curbside food and yard waste cart. Consider donating food you don't use for the holidays. Local food banks appreciate many canned or packaged items, including juices, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Food banks generally do not want open items, perishables or homemade foods.
Don't forget those leftovers
Place leftover food in clear containers so they are less likely to get lost in the fridge and forgotten. Visit Food: Too Good To Waste for tips on smart shopping, easy food prep and how to waste less food.
