It’s time to gather and indulge! From appetizers to dessert, the tables will be overflowing… But this year, why not make the festivities rhyme with eco-responsibility? No drastic changes—just a few simple gestures and easy alternatives to lighten up this season of abundance.
Let’s put vegetables in the spotlight
No need to banish capon or foie gras at all costs. The idea is simply to give more space to plant-based dishes. For example, why not swap out shrimp skewers and smoked salmon canapés for a seaweed tartare or homemade hummus? The more adventurous can try Faux Gras, a plant-based take on foie gras. It’s also a great way to surprise your guests and discover new flavors together!
Get hands-on and make it homemade…
What makes the holidays so magical? The anticipation and the preparation! So, skip the ready-made dishes and cook from scratch. Buy only raw ingredients and keep it simple yet delicious. The benefits are many: a smaller carbon footprint, better quality, less packaging, and of course, savings! Honestly, why buy pre-made mashed potatoes when it’s so easy to make your own? Why spend dozens of euros on a party loaf or canapés when all you need is good sliced bread and a little help from the kids to spread the toppings?
Prepare a comforting, easy dessert: an apple and cinnamon crumble—delicious!
…And choose quality, seasonal, and whenever possible, local products!
To be sure you’re getting quality ingredients, turn to short supply chains: AMAP, local producers, direct sales… Choose the market over the supermarket. For those festive essentials you can’t do without, opt for ethical products from farms that respect animal welfare and the environment.
Adapt your menu, too. Live by the sea and have access to fresh, locally caught fish? Are there free-range poultry farms just a few kilometers away? Take advantage! Parisians, don’t miss out—add some Brie de Meaux or Melun to your cheese board! And of course, always respect what’s in season!
Fruit, vegetables, fish, even cheese: discover the list of winter produce!
Adjust portions to avoid waste
Festive meals mean leftovers. So before you grab your basket for the market, plan ahead and buy reasonable quantities. Think back to previous years: how many days did you have to eat turkey, foie gras, salmon—or worse, end up throwing some away? Cutting back is good for the planet, your health, and your budget! Treat your guests and prepare doggy bags so no one leaves empty-handed!
Beyond the meal, go all in with homemade décor. Forget disposable tableware—bring out your porcelain, a tablecloth, and cloth napkins. Create a natural setting with salt dough, wood, pinecones gathered from the forest, nuts, cinnamon sticks, homemade cookies, and glass jars as candle holders… From the food to the décor, make your celebrations more sustainable than ever!
