Christmas, New Year's Eve: how to prepare eco-responsible holiday meals?

The time of the agape has arrived and we're going to enjoy it! From aperitif to dessert, the tables will be overflowing... What if this year, to avoid indigestion, we made festivities rhyme with eco-responsibility? No drastic change on the horizon, but rather a few simple gestures and easy-to-realize alternatives to alleviate this period of abundance.

We give pride of place to plants

There's no way we're going to get rid of capon and foie gras at all costs. The idea is simply to make more room for vegetable products. For example, why not trade shrimp skewers and salmon canapés for an algae tartar or homemade hummus? The more adventurous will try the Faux Gras, a vegetable version of foie gras. It is also an opportunity to surprise your guests and make culinary discoveries!

We're getting our hands dirty, with a preference for homemade...

What makes the holidays so magical? The waiting and the preparation! So we forget about the ready-made dishes for home cooking. Buy only raw products and make it simple but tasty. You'll see, there are many advantages: reduction of your carbon footprint, gain in product quality, reduction in packaging and of course, savings! Frankly, why buy prepared mashed potatoes when it's so simple to make? Why pay tens of euros for a surprise bread or canapés when all you need is a good sliced bread and you can get the kids to help spread it?

We prepare a comforting and easy-to-make dessert: an apple crumble and cinnamon, hum!

...And we buy quality, seasonal and, if possible, local products!

To be sure of getting quality products, turn to short circuits: AMAP, beehives, direct sales to producers... Also favour the market rather than supermarkets. For the inevitable festive products, if you decide not to give up, choose ethical products from farms that respect animal welfare and the environment.

Adapt your meal as well. Do you live by the sea and have fresh fish caught locally? Do you raise poultry in the open air a few miles from your home? Make the most of it! Parisians, don't be outdone, on your cheese board, don't forget the Brie from Meaux or Melun! And of course, we respect the seasonality of the products!

Fruits, vegetables, fish and even cheese: discover the list of winter products!

Quantities are adjusted to avoid waste.

A festive meal means leftovers. So, before you grab your basket to go to the market, plan ahead to buy in reasonable quantities. Think back to previous years: for how many days did you have to stuff yourself with turkey, foie gras, salmon, or worse, did you even throw some out? Limiting excesses is not only good for the planet, for your health, but also for your budget! Spoil your guests and prepare them doggy bags so they don't leave empty-handed!

In addition to the meal, play the game to the max with a home made decoration. No more disposable dishes, take out your china and a tablecloth and cloth napkins. Create a natural decoration with salt dough, wood, pine cones gathered in the forest, nuts, cinnamon sticks, homemade shortbread, glass jars as candle jars... From mealtime to decoration, make your festivities last longer than ever!