6 tips for a sustainable Christmas party

Bringing the successful year to a close together, meeting outside the workplace and strengthening team building: Christmas parties are popular everywhere. In times of climate change, responsible action is not only required for meetings, seminars and congresses. With a few thoughtful changes, you can also host your Christmas party in a resource-friendly and sustainable way. Below, we give you 6 tips for a sustainable Christmas party:

The right location for your sustainable Christmas party.

Here, the essential decision is whether your own company premises or a rented event location is more suitable for your environmentally friendly Christmas party. Already look for a sustainability concept when choosing a location. Other certifications such as Green Meetings/Events or the Sustainability Seal stand for more credibility, authenticity and transparency.

Arrival and departure

Likewise, when selecting a location, a central location is crucial for the sustainable implementation of the Christmas party. Can your participants travel to the Christmas party easily and in an environmentally friendly manner? After all, around 70 percent of the total CO₂ emissions of an event are attributable to travel to and from the event. Therefore, use public transportation, carpooling, or a shuttle service for larger groups.

The invitation to the Christmas party

Once the location and the supporting program have been decided, it’s time to design and send out the invitations. With CANVA you can easily design your invitations. You don’t need any training with a focus on graphics and design. Afterwards, the most environmentally friendly way is to send the invitations online. For large corporate Christmas parties, online-based attendee management tools are particularly suitable. Still don’t want to do without a printed invitation? Then use climate-friendly print products instead. Print your invitation on FSC-certified paper that comes from sustainable forestry. What’s more, many print shops offset the CO₂ emissions incurred by compensating with reforestation.

The Christmas menu

Christmas is a time for indulgence. That’s why careful selection of the caterer or restaurant is enormously important for a sustainable Christmas celebration. Regional and seasonal products not only support the economy from the farmers around the corner, but are also fresh and not once flown halfway around the world. Also, offer your guests more meatless alternatives as well as a menu instead of a buffet. After all, almost 40 percent of food ends up in the trash prematurely. Give preference to beverages in reusable bottles/kegs from the local brewery or winery.

Sustainable Christmas decorations

No other holiday showcases as many decorations and lights each year as Christmas. You don’t have to do without this at a sustainable Christmas party. Because there are alternatives here, too, and there are no limits to your creativity. Refrain from using plastic and disposable decorations. Instead, use natural materials that you can find in the local forests, for example: Moss, twigs, cones, wood. Use natural scents to set a good mood. Instead of scented candles, better to light candles made of beeswax. Or make your own room scent from orange slices with clove florets. Your guests don’t have to miss out on a traditional Christmas tree, but look for alternatives first before having a fir tree cut down from sustainable forests. Use fir trees that are on your company or location property and have them decorated. Choose lighting wisely. Less is more. Use energy-saving bulbs or LED lighting.

Sustainable Christmas gifts and giveaways

Christmas gifts and small giveaways for your employees, customers and business partners are important for building relationships and should not be missing from your eco-friendly Christmas party. But now there’s an end to useless gifts. Opt for long-lasting and reusable Christmas gifts: plants in pots instead of bouquets, beeswax towels instead of wrapping paper. But sponsorships or raffle tickets that support sustainable projects and draw additional prizes are also increasingly popular.

Sustainable supporting program

At a sustainable Christmas party, also offer your guests an environmentally conscious supporting program. Use artists and photographers instead of fire show/works and photo box. Make your Christmas party complete, book the right speaker on the topics Sustainability, Teambuilding or Leadership right away.

You have not yet found any ideas or the suitable location for your sustainable Christmas party? The team of the MICE Service Group is at your disposal with words and deeds for the planning of your Christmas party. Contact us without obligation.