8 Sustainable, Earth-Friendly Holiday Ideas

With Thanksgiving celebrations in the making and Christmas feasts just around the corner, we'd like to spread the word on just how easy it is to combine sustainable, earth-friendliness with holiday cheer. From organic turkeys to green utensils, why don't you consider incorporating a greener outlook regarding this year's festivities. 1) Organic Cooking Ingredients Whether you're baking a pie with Farmer’s Market Organic pumpkin filling or using Wholly Wholesome’s Organic Whole Wheat pie shells, organic cooking ingredients provide an array of healthier dietary choices. If you like cooking from scratch, don't forget to choose organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables to create your sweet treat masterpieces and side dishes. 2) Set the Mood with Recycled Goods Recycled goods not only provide interesting pieces of décor at the dining table, but also encourage unique conversation amongst family and friends. At VivaTerra, this Birds on Branch Tealight Holder uses recycled metal with inviting leaf and stem features. Another eye-catcher is the carved wooden work of art (shown) called the Root of the Earth Wine Caddy. 3) Freshen Up with Flowers The sweet scent of fresh organic flowers adds color and delight to a holiday get-together with eco-bouquets and elaborate centerpieces. A few choices in fresh flower delivery include EcoFlora (in Toronto) or the popular Organic Bouquet, which offers Autumn Sunset Lilies, Autumn Grains Wreaths, and the Santa's Rose Bouquet. 4) Organic Wines and Liquors From the certified biodynamic wines of Frey Vineyards to the green beers of New Belgium Brewing, it's easy to serve organic and eco-friendly alcoholic beverages during the holidays. Choose wines with real cork stoppers over plastic versions, as trees are not lost in the manufacturing of cork. No need to stock up on bottled water, whose plastic containers wreak havoc in landfills. Invest in a decent water filter and freshen the taste with fresh lemons. 5) Green Utensils Each year, nearly 100 billion plastic, paper and Styrofoam plates and cups are disposed of in the United States – sending petroleum-based plastics, hazardous foam or chlorine-bleached paper to harm the environment. Don't become part of the problem – use green utensils. Some options include biodegradable, compostable spoons, forks and knives made out of corn, rice, sugarcane, and even potatoes. For example, ultra green goods offer tree-free sugarcane paper products that biodegrade or compost in 60-90 days, and cornstarch cups and utensils that biodegrade or compost in 150 days. Other green utensil companies include:

• Nature Friendly Products – Made from proprietary biodegradable resin.
• Biocorp – Manufactures cellulose fiber/limestone products
• VEGWARE US Inc. – Responsible for Plastarch (PSM), a thermoplastic resin made from natural starch.

6) Organic Tablecloth Dress your table in striking organic table linens. At Rawganique, choose from their organic linen and organic hemp collection that offers an array of colors, including Russett Orange, Olive, Indigo, and Ivory. Made in Europe from organic European hemp or linen, there are 18 different sizes to consider – all with matching table accessories, such as runners, place mats, napkins, and tea towels. 7) Bamboo Bowls and Plates When serving your infamous stuffing or jellied cranberry sauce, embrace the beauty and natural allure or bamboo bowls and plates – crafted from sustainable materials. With a range of colors and styles, you're sure to find items to match your personal style and home décor. 8) Pass on the Plastic Wrap After you've devoured your Thanksgiving meal, it's time to wrap your leftovers with care. The majority of plastic wraps on the market contain PVC – notorious for clogging landfills and threatening the environment. Use reusable leftover containers to keep food safe or reach for the aluminum foil, which unbeknownst to many – is completely recyclable! Image Credits: VivaTerra, ultra green, Wholly Wholesome, Amazon.com

Organic Bouquet: Sustainable Eco-Gifts

Flowers play an integral role in birthday surprises, setting the mood on Valentine's Day, and expressing an undying love. Organic flowers and gifts allow eco-minded consumers to support their earth-friendly lifestyle by choosing gestures that place less harm on the environment. Since 2001, Organic Bouquet has been delivering sustainably grown flowers to thousands upon thousands of customers around the world. Leading the way in the floral industry, the company has set impressive standards from establishing the first carbon offset program to promoting earth-friendly packaging. From 10 long-stemmed Organic-Certified Calla Lillies to a spread of orange roses bursting with color to a bunch of exotic-looking Pink Oriental Lilies (shown above), Organic Bouquet is much more than a flower business. The company offers a selection of decorative wreaths. Choose the hand-made Dried Lavender Wreath to add color and fragrance to a room. A wreath constructed of bay and rosemary (shown) leaves behind traces of ancient Rome with eye-catching appeal. Eco-Friendly Plants and Seed Gifts Imagine the delight that comes when relatives and friends open a gift that keeps on growing with love. Organic Bouquet offers plenty of choices in apple trees, dogwoods, California poppies, wine grapes, parsley, and other seasonal treats. Currently, Organic Bouquet is featuring the Tangerine Bonsai, which infuses a room with fragrant tropical flowers and produces mini tangerines. Housed in a natural ceramic bonsai container, this indoor gift is VeriFlora Certified. Organic Bouquet Gift Baskets Gift baskets are an easy way to show someone that you're thinking of them without the stress of choosing the 'perfect' gesture. Avoid time-consuming shopping trips and send a taste of luxury with one of the following theme-baskets:

• The Eco Gardener: For the gardener in your life, this tote provides your loved one with an array of gardening utensils, watering bottle, and a fragrant eco-friendly hand soap. Cap off an adventure spent with freshly grown rose bushes and herb gardens with a relaxing cup of tea, dried fruit, shortbread cookies, and chocolate.
• The Vineyard Selection: With a beautifully wrapped basket filled with organic Chardonnay from Bonterra vineyards, Organic Valley cheese, crackers, chocolate and cookies – how can you not go wrong?
• Italian Bistro Gift Basket: Celebrate with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine with a bistro basket offering the makings of a fine dinner (pasta, sauce, olive oil breadsticks, and biscotti).

Organic Boutique Eco-Standards and Achievements From the sustainable gift basket to the Oregano Wreath, Organic Bouquet products meet the highest of standards – certified by the likes of USDA Organic, Veriflora, Demeter, Fair Trade, Smart Certified, and Green-e. When possible, the company uses recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, and wild-crafted materials for their luxury gift baskets, holiday wreaths, and plant-centered presents. Eco-minded shoppers can purchase their gifts with confidence - knowing that Organic Boutique:

• Takes a gentler approach in growing flowers that places less strain on the earth
• Embraces safe ecological standards
• Prints with vegetable-based inks
• Considers the well-being of farm workers and wildlife

In addition to the many green business practices, Organic Boutique supports social and environmental causes beyond their daily operations. For example, the company donates a portion of their proceeds to charitable organizations – raising more than $250,000 to date. Photo Credits: Organic Bouquet