Your Guide to a Cozy, Sustainable Thanksgiving
The little details make a big difference when hosting. These fair trade tips help add a little whimsy to the table, creating a cozy atmosphere with sustainable products your guests will adore.
Prep The Table Intentionally
Stop bracing for chaos and start the day by welcoming positivity to your space when you set a table that works for you. These items will help you create a stunning display that sets you up for success.
The Power of a Trivet
Beyond plates and silverware, this item can save you later. Sprinkle the table with trivets to add a visual element while saving space to place food when it's ready. This is your chance to make it easier on yourself when food comes out of the oven while adding special details your guests won't forget. Mismatching trivets add character and take away any pressure to have the "perfect" set.
For a little shine, try the Butterfly Trivet from India. The Tree of Life Trivet welcomes earthy tones, while the Egg Potholder made in Ghana adds a pop of color and easily multitasks around the home. These ethically handcrafted trivets are perfect for the dinner table and can be used time and time again.
Textiles That Function For You
Leave excess waste in the past and welcome the power of cloth: napkins, dish towels, and covers. Seemingly simple kitchen accessories that hold a lot of power.
Place cloth dish towels and napkins around the table to add some color and be your secret weapon for cleanup. When little spills happen, no one has to go running for more paper napkins or haul out the paper towels. Just dab it up with the cloths around the table. Absorbent and reusable, they get the job done while looking beautiful.
They are also great tools for keeping hot foods hot. Cloth dish towels and napkins are great for covering plates at the table. If you need something for travel or just a little stronger, cloth bowl and dish covers are at the ready. At the end of the day, they can all easily be tossed into the wash.
Floral Block Print napkins from India show the beauty of traditional craftsmanship. Sustainable Threads Kitchen Towels keep it simple with minimalist designs. Kantha dish towels that can be found in-store are so good, your guests will want to take them home.
Freshen Up Your Flavors
Give everyone's taste buds something to talk about with global flavors you know the story behind. Fair trade tells you who made it and what you're supporting when you use it. These spices and beverages are delicious and make great conversation starters.
Spice blends from Women's Bean Project are made by women facing significant barriers to work. Through the program, they receive job training and the help they need to enter the workforce. Every snack and spice blend is truly made with love, and you can taste the difference.
When looking for a warm beverage to go with your meal, try teas from JusTea. Ethically farmed in Kenya, every cup supports sustainable farming and production methods. Explore their seasonal options or enjoy the robust flavors of purple tea, grown only in Kenya.
Ambiance Is Everything
You're already with loved ones (and assisted by tryptophan), so what could make the day any cozier? Start the energy the moment they step in the door with the right decor.
Scentless taper candles add height to your table and create cozy lighting without overwhelming the scents of your meal. These Thumbprint Artifact taper candles are hand-poured and painted by a family-run business in South Africa.
Colorful garlands are a great way to change the feeling of a room in moments. Easily swapped for seasons and events and endlessly reusable. This felt ball garland is hand-felted by women in Nepal. Part of the profits go toward school fees for the artisans' children.
Fair Trade Your Way To A Great Day
A cozy, sustainable Thanksgiving means settling in, prepping yourself for a great day, and creating memories. Bring joy with handcrafted decor, create a succulent meal with global flavors, and create a dinner table that works for you. When every item on your table has a story, conversation always has a place to go. Let fair trade guide the way to the gathering you've been waiting for.
Written by Marketing and Communications Manager, Emma Sue Larramore.