It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! With this turkey-filled day, the holidays go into full swing with festive parties and gatherings with family and friends. If you currently live in Lexington, you’ll enjoy the charming atmosphere and events throughout the community that accompany this time of year!
We all know that the holidays are a great time to give back, but have you considered how you can give back to the environment over the next few months? Whether you’re visiting loved ones over the holidays or are hosting them in your Lexington home, you’ll want to be sure to take a look at these nine tips for an eco-friendly holiday party!
1. Switch to Convection- Now, I don’t expect that you’ll run out and buy a new oven before your holiday party, but this is something to consider for the very near future! Switch from a conventional oven to a convection oven. The difference? A convection oven continually circulates heated air, which means food cooks more quickly and reduces energy usage by 20%! Imagine being able to prepare food faster and save on energy- all from one appliance!
2. Cloth Napkins- These “things of the past” are making a comeback! The average American will use around 2,200 paper napkins per year- which are never recycled! Using cloth napkins will cut down drastically on waste and will make any event feel more special.
3. Buy Local- Shopping locally from farmers and other various growers for ingredients for your holiday party (or any time!) is a great way to cut down on our carbon footprint as well as help support sustainable growing in Lexington and surrounding areas.
4. Reusable Towels- When cleaning up after your holiday party; be sure to use reusable towels instead of paper towels. Microfiber towels will hold on to dust, dirt and food particles since the fibers act like a magnet. After cleanup, throw them in the wash and you’ll be able to reuse them over and over!
5. Nix the Microwave- As much as possible, reheat or cook items in the oven or on the stove. Certain plastics can produce harmful fumes when put in the microwave and, while not overtly harmful, microwaves do leak radiation. It’s just better for your health and for the environment to use other options as often as you can!
6. Glass Containers- Storing leftovers or dried foods in glass containers with lids are much safer than the plastic alternative. When heated, certain plastics can break down and put chemicals into your food. Learn more about harmful and safe plastics.
7. Chill Out- Be sure to put a pitcher of water in your fridge at least an hour before your party to ensure it’s completely chilled. Those that prefer water won’t have to stand at your sink and let the water run until it gets cold. The average kitchen faucet flows at a gallon per minute! Thinking ahead can help to chill water before will reduce the waste that a running faucet will produce!
8. No-Cook Dishes- Save energy and give your oven a rest by preparing dishes that don’t have to be cooked. Think: salads, fruit dishes, veggie dips, yogurts and much more! You’ll find yourself being more creative and spending less time in the kitchen!
9. Fill the Dishwasher- To avoid wasting water and energy, be sure to have a full load each time you use your dishwasher. Surprisingly, new energy efficient dishwasher can be more eco-friendly than washing dishes by hand! Be sure to air dry and skip the pre-rinse cycle as most newer models are effective enough to get your dishes clean without the added step!
Of course there are a wide variety of other ways to go green this holiday season, but these should help get you started for an environmentally friendly holiday!
As always, as a Lexington Real Estate agent, I’m here to help in any way I can! Whether you’re searching for a Lexington home or are considering selling and aren’t quite sure where to start; feel free to let me know! I’d be more than happy to meet with you to discuss your real estate needs!
I look forward to hearing from you!
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