The holidays are a time for warmth, connection, and celebration. They can also be a great opportunity to start new habits that save energy and create a cleaner, healthier home. Whether you are gathering with loved ones or exchanging gifts, a few simple choices can help you enjoy the season while supporting a brighter energy future for our community.
Below are easy ways to make the holidays more energy smart, along with gift ideas that are thoughtful, practical, and planet friendly.
Energy-smart habits for the holidays
Small changes can make your celebrations more comfortable and efficient. Here are a few simple energy habits to keep in mind as the holiday season gets underway:
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- Use LED holiday lights: They use less energy and stay cool to the touch.
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- Set timers on lights and decorations: Help your home shine without using lights all night.
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- Keep the oven door closed while cooking: Every peek while opening the oven door can lower the temperature and use more energy.
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- Run full loads in the dishwasher: Holiday dishes can add up quickly, so let the dishwasher do the work efficiently.
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- Lower the thermostat while entertaining: Warm kitchens and guests help keep your home temperature comfortable.
These small steps help reduce energy use without changing your holiday traditions.
The energy-smart gift guide
If you are looking for meaningful gifts that support clean living, here are some ideas that are useful, affordable, and easy to incorporate into daily routines:
- Smart power strips: These strips help reduce energy waste by shutting off electricity to devices when they are not in use. They are a good fit for home offices, entertainment centers, and gaming setups.
- E-bike accessories and safety gear: Helmets, lights, locks, and cargo bags make great gifts for current or future e-bike riders. They encourage clean, low-cost transportation while helping riders stay safe.
- Reusable kitchenware: Reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, silicone baking mats, and food storage containers reduce waste. Plus, they support more sustainable cooking and meal prep.
- Induction-ready cookware: A simple pot or pan can help someone try induction cooking now or outfit their kitchen for a future home electrification upgrade.
Gifts that help people save energy are useful all year long.
Give experiences instead of things
Experiences often create more lasting memories than physical items. They also reduce waste and support local communities. Here are some simple activity ideas to enjoy with your loved ones:
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- Cooking class (bonus points if you get to try induction cooking)
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- Ticket to a local event
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- Museum or park membership
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- Bike tune-up or repair (bonus points if it’s for an e-bike)
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- Homemade dinner or baked goods
These gifts create connection without adding clutter to someone’s home.
PCE can help you live clean all year
If you are inspired to make your home more efficient or explore clean upgrades, PCE has tools to help. Our Rebate Finder is an easy, confidential way to see which incentives you qualify for on appliances, transportation, and home improvements. We also offer 0% interest home upgrade loans to make larger projects more affordable.
Clean energy living does not have to be complicated. As a PCE costumer, you are already using 100% clean electricity, and each simple change you make can add up to meaningful savings and long-term benefits for your household.
Celebrate the season with comfort & care
This holiday season, you can enjoy all the warmth of the festivities while building habits that support a cleaner, healthier community. Whether you choose an energy-smart gift, try a new kitchen habit, or explore resources from PCE, every action makes a difference.
Wishing you and your community a bright, comfortable, and energy-smart holiday season!
