As the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, November invites us to stay warm and celebrate the people we cherish most. Between cozy nights watching Gilmore Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of my favorite traditions of the season is hosting an annual Friendsgiving.
Every year, my friends and I gather to share a potluck meal featuring ingredients from our favorite local farms. We each bring a comfort dish that reminds us of home. My time-honored offering is a bubbling pot of sundubu jjigae, a Korean tofu stew made with my family’s signature blend of oyster mushrooms and green onions.
Over time, I have made an effort to make my Friendsgiving gatherings more sustainable. Swapping out single-use plastics and paper products for reusable ones has become second nature. The charm of mismatched mugs, thrifted silverware, and colorful tupperware waiting to be filled with leftovers has made each gathering distinct and memorable. After all, Friendsgiving is for friends, not for single-use plastics trying to crash the party.
Below is a guide to some of my favorite sustainable swaps and ideas to make your Friendsgiving event both beautiful and eco-friendly.
Before the Meal
Compost, Recycling, and Trash Bins
First things first: set up your compost, recycling, and trash bins and make sure they are clearly labeled. Creating a simple waste station helps your guests know exactly where everything goes and prevents contamination between bins.
No compost bin at home? Not a problem! This month, we are teaming up with our friends at Green Box for a special Thanksgiving service. Non-Green Box Compost Members can try a one-time Thanksgiving compost bucket, and current members can snag an extra Green Box for all of those extra seasonal scraps. You can even purchase as many boxes as you would like, so no potato peel or pie crust crumb gets left behind. Learn more here!
On The Table
Reusable Dishes, Cutlery, and Serving Ware
Rather than purchasing disposable plates and utensils, set your table with items you already own. If your gathering is a bit bigger than your dish supply, ask guests to BYODAU – bring your own dishes and utensils! I have found that scattering the different patterned dishes across the table gives a homey, eclectic look.
No Paper Towels
Replace napkins and paper towels with reusable No Paper Towels. Made from 100% cotton flannel, these are soft, machine washable, and come in adorable fall patterns like Forest Friends or Fall Floral, perfect for a cozy autumn table spread.
Loose-Leaf Tea
Skip the waste from tea bags and serve tea in bulk! Create a mini tea bar so guests can choose their blend, or create a big batch of iced tea to set in a pitcher on the table. Our Apple Spice Green Tea embodies the essence of the season and can be served either hot or iced.
Off the Table
Cleaning Dishes
When it is time to clean up, small swaps make a big difference. Instead of using a disposable sponge, use Dish Brushes with Replaceable Heads, Pot Scrapers made from sustainably sourced bamboo, Eco Sponges made from wood pulp and loofah, and Swedish Dishcloths. If you are using a dishwasher, choose plastic-free Dish Pods or Dishwasher Powder.
Other Cleaning
For surface cleaning, I choose concentrated cleaning products like an All Purpose Cleaning Tab or refillable Grill & Oven Cleaner, instead of using single-use plastic bottles.
Storage Options
Encourage your guests to bring tupperware from home or provide extra containers, a roll of Beeswax Food Storage Wrap, and a few Silicone Stretch Lids to eliminate the need for plastic wrap or single-use bags.
This November, celebrate community while keeping sustainability at the heart of your table. With just a few simple swaps, you can enjoy a fun, vibrant, and eco-friendly meal with friends.
