In the effort to conserve — for the sake of a depleted Mother Earth, let alone the economy — Thanksgiving offers ample opportunities.

Try decorating with …

• Gourds: Can be painted and reused, and reflect the season

• What you already have: “That really unleashes your creativity,” says Gustafon of SustainLane. She advises topping a table with vegetables or candles surrounded by rocks (“If there’s mossy stones, those are even prettier,” she says), and tie napkins together with string around a stick of cinnamon or sprig of herbs.

• An edible centerpiece: Jack Poles, an interior designer who specializes in eco-friendly products, suggests fashioning a a centerpiece out of ingredients for a dish. Take, for example, vegetable soup. “You can use cabbage as decorative pieces for your leaves and carrots for color. You can put in other types of radishes, green peppers, really to make it almost like you’re using flowers,” he says. Afterward, mix, cook and enjoy all over again!

• Natural materials: Poles suggests soy-based candles. Beeswax candles are another option, and the honeycombed style adds dimension to the light. Poles also says tablecloths can be crafted from burlap or linen and lotus leaves can serve as place mats.

As for eating …

• Locally grown food: Enter your zip code at LocalHarvest.org to find local farms, markets and grocery stores selling sustainably grown food.

• Save and share: Reuse your plastic bags when shopping, and don’t forget to share your extra portions with churches, shelters or meals on wheels programs, Seydel says, noting that many elderly people may lack a nutritious Thanksgiving meal.