A Green Christmas: How To Eco-Wrap Your Christmas Event
We like to think of December as a time of festivity and fun, but what we don’t usually think about is the damage caused by the excess amount of waste we quickly consume and discard.
We don’t mean to be a Grinch, we know Christmas is a great time to let loose, celebrate the year and have a little fun. With a few simple swaps and some considerate Christmas party planning you can hold a sustainable event without taking the fun out of the festivities.
The Rise Of The Sustainable Event
As we become more aware of our own carbon footprint, businesses are slowly beginning to catch on and join the party too. Companies can be fast to rack up a substantial carbon footprint from travel, waste, energy use, events, etc. The conversation around sustainability in recent years has really developed leading many businesses to make drastic changes from within.
Sustainable events needn't be exclusive to businesses prioritising environmental ethics but should be embraced by all. It doesn't take a village to make some simple changes, but it just might save one!
If you’re looking to hold an environmentally conscious party, sustainable event management practices are easily adopted by your event planner. Ultimately we’ll support you in creating a low-waste, sustainable event.
Eco Christmas Parties Unwrapped
The thought of completely transforming your corporate or office Christmas party into an eco-one could feel daunting. It really doesn't have to be, you won’t have to invite sustainability speakers, hold your event in a wooden shack or dance purely by candlelight, don’t worry.
The small swaps we’re suggesting can go completely unnoticed if that’s something you’re worried about. A great example is simply switching out single-use items for more eco-friendly alternatives like a Christmas cracker; choose reusable or eco-friendly ones made with recycled materials, easy!
Hosting An Eco-Friendly Christmas Party, Here’s How
Minimal Waste Decorations
Choose reusable or minimal waste decorations rather than single-use or plastic. Why not get the office together for a crafty-Christmassy-team-building-day, all before the big party and craft your own Christmas party decor? I mean, they could look .. cute? Otherwise, The Fold event could just as easily source and supply beautifully unique, while also sustainable, Christmas decorations.
Rent a Christmas Tree! Yes, I’m sure you’re familiar with the new bizarre tree rental scheme, but, it might make a tonne of sense! Your tree will be delivered and later whisked away and replanted for use next year, a full-circle Christmas!
On the note of green things, let’s talk about flowers, opt for flowers that are in season and locally grown too. Lots of out-of-season flowers are produced using energy-guzzling techniques or are flown across the world, tut tut. A great florist will be able to talk you through the best seasonal options for a beautiful table arrangement. Think fragrant rosemary, pinecones, holly, mistletoe, berry and anemones, it’s like it’s Christmas already, ahhhh.
Light It Up
If you’re planning on using strung Christmas lights (the ones that shout IT'S CHRISTMAS) opt for LED lights. These are readily available and use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbed Christmas lights, they also have a longer lifespan too meaning your choice will light up many Christmases to come!
Considerate Catering
Depending on how hungry your team gets you might be left with tons of leftovers after the Christmas party if you’re hosting with nibbles or an elegant food display. You could absolutely use any leftover food for a second round of food partying in the office the following day. Alternatively, a wonderful idea is to donate any leftovers you have to a foodbank or shelter. It is Christmas after all! Share the fancy nibbles!
You’ll also find a plethora of sustainable catering companies dotted around London now too, (so there's no excuse). They’ll source local, seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients, taking extra measures to minimise their waste too. You’ll tend to have a better offering of plant-based foods including menu options for a wide base of dietary requirements (if this is something you’ll require).
In addition, sustainable caterers can also prioritise practices like composting and recycling, healthier-less processed (no less delicious) options, supporting local businesses, energy efficiency and more (the green angels of the catering industry).
Greener Gifting
If you’re encouraging the exchange of gifts at the office Christmas party why not invite everyone to make their own eco-wrapping paper as a prior event activity? Holding a Secret Santa gift exchange is also a great way to reduce the amount of gifts purchased and quite possibly wasted. Other ideas could include donating unused items from around the home to charities, shelters and local family collections or simply donating money to chosen charities in lieu of gifts.
Alternatively, why not offer up the opportunity for your team to volunteer their time to the local community or a charity for the day rather than gifting, give the gift of time.
No Waste Christmas Crackers
So, reusable Christmas crackers are a thing! There’s a lot of unnecessary waste when it comes to traditional crackers but long gone are those days … we’ll get there. Thankfully there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives on the market today. You’ll find reusable, recyclable and even crackers made with recycled materials, win.
Responsible Foodware
Need we say much here? We hope you’re not planning on a soiree that's considering the use of plastic cups, plates or cutlery. Definitely not our kind of bash. If you do need disposable cutlery (shudder) opt for sustainable options like recycled paper plates, wooden cutlery and compostable drinkware.
Earth-Friendly Dress Codes
Let’s just ban the Christmas jumpers, please?
Sustainable Christmas Event Planning Made Easy
Amongst the above, plus all the venue, staffing, invites, etc, there’s lots to organise and consider when it comes to Christmas party planning. You want your event to be a total success and for everyone to come away having had the best time. What’s even better than having a good time? Knowing you’ve done it all with a conscious effort to reduce your waste!
Sustainable event planning doesn’t have to be tricky, for expert advice and event planning, The Fold events can plan everything and supply all that you need for the perfect Christmas party.
For support on planning a corporate Christmas party or event, we’ve got your back, check out our Christmas party planning checklist here, complete with a timeline and all!
Sustainable Event Management With The Fold
If you’re looking to hold a sustainable Christmas bash and need help planning your event, reach out to us and pop us a message here! We’d love to hear from you and help bring your Christmas wishes to life.
