Okay, so there is plenty of information floating around about how to have a green Thanksgiving and plenty of resources about how to have a cheap Thanksgiving but none for both. So I have complied and created one!  And, no, this isn't an article about how yummy Tofurkey tastes... Instead, it's some quick ideas for keeping your wallet full and making this delicious holiday feast a bit more environmentally friendly.

• Plan the shopping. Double check the pantry for various staples and spices to make sure you don’t buy ingredients you already have.
  
  
• Turkeys are a crucial element of the Thanksgiving meal and good quality meat brings up the flavor of other dishes so no need to cut back. Many grocery stores carry quality and organic or free-range birds without the Whole Foods price tag.
  
  
• Don’t cook so much. Sure everyone treats Thanksgiving as the time to get stuffed on not only stuffing and gravy covered turkey but 2 kinds of potatoes and 4 pies - not to mention various breads and wines!  A cheap and green alternative is to:
  
  

  --Reduce the food choices available – pick your BEST recipes – favorite potatoes, top 2 desserts etc.  
  
  --Reduce the amount of each of your offerings.
  
  --If you hate this idea then give leftovers away to homeless shelters or food bank instead of throwing food away or letting it mold in your fridge. And when you do give out leftovers – use aluminum foil or ceramic containers to transport the food.

• Avoid packaging. Make as many of the meals as possible as well as purchasing the freshest ingredients from your local farmers market. (Cheap and green!)  For those items you must purchase – check for packaging that is environmental friendly.

• The Pros of Frozen and Canned Food:

--Vegetables: if you need a vegetable that is out of season – buying them frozen is cheaper and often has more nutrition’s than something a few weeks old.

--Potatoes: instead of buying potatoes in bulk –purchase instant mashed potatoes – saving you time and money.

--Pumpkins: for your pumpkin pie – canned pumpkins are cheap and already seasoned, saving you on the extra spices!

--This idea applies to other staples; if you really need to save money this year buying frozen and canned foods is very affordable and still tasty. Plus this is a great way to involve the children as the preparation requirements are simpler.

• Avoid Eww. Don't make something that no one will eat because it is cheaper. It will be a more expensive waste and dampen the mood. Simplify existing recipes to use less or different ingredients. Find recipes that use similar ingredients to also save on costs throughout your foods.

• Stay in the spirit. The first Thanksgiving was with the Pilgrims and Native Americans and what do Native Americans excel at? Using everything!  After dinner – be sure to save the turkey bones and make soup for another meal. (Cheap and green!)
  
  
• Go Potluck! With some planning and coordination – this can be a cheap alternative for all families involved. Those traveling can just bring one side dish, dessert or wine and the host can just be in charge of the turkey.
  
  
• Don’t Decorate. Reuse your old decorations from last year. (Cheap and green!)
  
  
• Don't Travel. Intimate family settings are a great time for bonding over board games and football scores. (Cheap and green!)
  
  
• Okay you have to travel.

--Driving – make sure your car is in good working order; tires properly inflated etc. Carpool – go pick up Grandma and Grandpa and maybe Aunty Ruby too.

--Flying – look for cheap tickets and with the leftover money, you buy carbon credits.

• Lose the remote. Be healthy and go walking after the big meal or if your group is more rowdy – play some football or basketball!  (Cheap and green!)
  
  
• Forward thinking. Plan ahead and plant seeds for next Thanksgivings harvest. Whether this is spices or veggies – it is a rewarding activity to look forward to plus giving seeds also makes a great gift. (Cheap and green!)
  
  
• Give thanks.

Have a Delicious and Happy Thanksgiving from ConstructionDeal.com!