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How To Have A Green Christmas

From buying gifts to preparing food, discover how to have a green Christmas with Howdens, as we explore festive entertaining – the environmentally-friendly way. Small changes to how you shop, eat, and live this December can save energy, reduce waste, and protect the planet. Embracing these new habits can help you enjoy a greener lifestyle all year round. As well as tips on being more eco-conscious at Christmastime, this guide also features product recommendations for energy-efficient cooking, cutting plastic use, and making the most of leftovers.

1. Let loose on ingredients

To cut down on single-use plastics, buy ingredients that can be stored in reusable containers and kept in larders – one step closer to a zero-waste Christmas.

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1. Let loose on ingredients

From vegetables to dry goods, many of the foods that make up a festive feast come wrapped in plastic. At the supermarket, go for unwrapped options during your seasonal shop. Alternatively, find a local food store where items are sold in bulk and free of packaging, so you can stock up on pantry supplies without harming the planet. A pull-out larder unit is a smart way to keep groceries fresh and within easy reach when cooking. It also makes it more convenient to refill containers.

See pull out kitchen storage
2. Eco-conscious cooking

Save energy by switching to induction cooking, a fast and efficient way to prepare food that could also help to reduce household bills at Christmas and beyond.

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2. Eco-conscious cooking

Powered by electromagnetic technology between the cooktop and the base of the pan, induction devices warm up almost instantly. This reduces the time and power required to cook – for a faster and more eco-friendly festive meal. Heat is only generated when a pot is in contact with the surface, so no energy is wasted. This means the room will remain at a comfortable temperature during cooking, which both the chef and guests will appreciate.

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3. The season to shine

For a home that is merry and bright, swap to LED lighting – an energy-efficient alternative to conventional bulbs that will last for many Christmases to come.

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3. The season to shine

LEDs are efficient, durable, and are less prone to overheating – all result in a longer lifespan and reduce lightbulb waste. Offering instant illumination at the flick of a switch, they are a great choice when prepping food for a party after dark. These products can also be retrofitted to enhance the ambience of your cooking space, creating cosy mood lighting for entertaining on December evenings.

See LED tape lights
4. Waste wrapped up

After the festivities, separate wrapping paper, cards, and packaging, ready for recycling with a pull-out bin that is easy to access for quick clear-ups.

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4. Waste wrapped up

From gift wrap to table decorations, and even the tree, Christmas generates a lot of waste. For a more eco-friendly celebration, sort reusable materials from rubbish to ensure anything recyclable is diverted from landfill. Neatly concealed behind a door front, a pull-out recycling bin offers a discreet and convenient solution that can be used by all ages to keep your home clean.

See kitchen recyling bins

5. Planet-friendly presents

Have a go at Furoshiki, the art of Japanese fabric wrapping, for a creative and colourful way to wrap Christmas presents that is better for the environment.

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5. Planet-friendly presents

Gift wrap is frequently made from new paper, putting pressure on the earth’s natural resources. It is also often decorated with non-biodegradable glitter containing microplastics that harm the health of rivers and oceans. Try your hand at Furoshiki instead, and use scraps of fabric or old scarves as a more sustainable alternative. To freshen up second-hand material, give it a spin in the wash.

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6. Clean the greener way

Ditch the disposable crockery when hosting a crowd and let a dishwasher take the hard work out of washing up, so plates are always sparkling.

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6. Clean the greener way

It can be tempting to stock up on throwaway options, such as foil roasting trays, paper plates, and plastic glassware, when planning a festive feature. This creates extra waste, much of which is unrecyclable. Instead, invest in an efficient dishwasher to keep tableware and crockery clean and ready for the next course or dinner party. Many models use far less water than washing by hand, making this an energy-saving addition to any home.

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7. Go homemade

Share something extra special by baking festive treats for family and friends – a thoughtful gesture that saves money and cuts down on throwaway gifts.

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7. Go homemade

Off-the-shelf presents are heavy on packaging and often end up heading to landfill, so have a homemade Christmas instead. If you are a keen baker, put your culinary skills to good use and make gifts that are good enough to eat. A steam oven is the secret to achieving delicious results every time, baking cakes and biscuits evenly to ensure they retain moisture and flavour. This will also be handy when cooking your Christmas roast, as it helps keep meats succulent.

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8. Green cuisine

When entertaining this Christmas, experiment with vegetarian or vegan dishes, which are often better for the environment than meat-based meals.

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8. Green cuisine

Eating less meat is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint while trying out tasty new recipes. Whether you are planning a fully plant-based spread on Christmas Day or want to serve veggie options alongside the traditional turkey, a multi-functional oven will cook every dish to perfection. With specific programs for cooking different foods, including vegetables, it will be easy to achieve professional results that guests will love.

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9. Love your leftovers

After hosting Christmas lunch, save and freeze excess portions, so you can enjoy festive foods as a quick ready meal when the January blues set in.

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9. Love your leftovers

It is easy to cook too much at this time of year, especially if you are feeding a crowd. Freezing surplus food is a great way to reduce waste while stocking up on quick dinner options for busy days. If you buy too much veg during the festive season, this can also be prepped and frozen for future dishes – a habit that could help cut grocery bills all year round. Upgrade your refrigeration set up ahead of the big day to make space for storing leftovers.

See freezers
10. One tap wonder

Say goodbye to plastic bottles, thanks to a 5-in-1 fixture, which offers filtered and sparkling water on tap, plus an instant boiling stream for after-dinner coffees.

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10. One tap wonder

A multifunctional tap is an eco-friendly feature for both Christmas entertaining and everyday tasks. It cuts waste by reducing the need for bottled drinks at home and makes it easy to keep guests refreshed. Meanwhile, the boiling water function saves time when filling a saucepan or making a round of hot chocolate, using less energy than a traditional kettle.

See 5 in 1 taps