As the nights are drawing in, Christmas is looming into focus. Picture the scene: frost glistens, mulled wine steams, and partygoers enter festive wonderlands. But when you turn off the fairy lights and fill six bins with tinsel and plastic props, what’s the festive feeling that lasts?
Instead of ditching sustainable brand values in favour of festive gimmicks, consider having shed-loads of glitz without the landfill of guilt. Festive parties and corporate end-of-year events can dazzle and delight while respecting our planet. Low-carbon but still high-impact, with the same fun and memories, but more of the positive feelings that last long after the guests have gone home.
At Eventurous, sustainability is a subject close to our hearts (and business model). It’s why we’re ECOsmart accredited and a key part of why our clients choose us. So, let’s unwrap what it means to be “green” this festive season (it’s recyclable wrapping, of course). And we’ll share a few ideas to help make your events greener.
The Business Case for Sustainable Events
Brand Accountability
For many corporations, ESG targets, net-zero commitments, and public scrutiny are everyday concerns. A Christmas event that ignores environmental impact can clash with a company’s wider values. Clients don’t just want a pretty party; they want their brand to shine ethically.
Cost Efficiencies and Risk Mitigation
Choosing sustainably can reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and streamline logistics. It can also protect against supply-chain volatility (stock levels, delivery delays or fluctuating prices). Choose local, circular and reusable options wherever you can.
Differentiation
When many agencies offer here-today-gone-tomorrow commercialised Christmas themes, sustainability becomes a point of difference. Clients increasingly see value in an event that’s thoughtful as well as festive.
Ethical Expectations
Guests (especially younger generations) are more attuned to climate issues and the negative commercialisation of the festive period. An event that visibly demonstrates care for the environment can resonate more deeply and feel more authentic.
How Sustainability Fuels Creativity in Event Planning
Sustainability can free up event planners to think more laterally. Instead of copying and pasting the same old event, planners can build a bespoke, story-driven experience rooted in the local community and sustainability.
When embracing sustainability, you should ask the right questions:
- Can we reuse or repurpose decorative elements rather than buying new each year?
- How can we source locally (food, florals, materials, gifts)?
- Can we design for circularity (e.g. decor that becomes office art afterwards, or that’s compostable)?
- Are we minimising energy use and miles travelled?
- Can the event communicate sustainability through theme, messaging, or guest experience?
Asking these questions will shift the creative process. You move from “how do we make it big and glittery?” to “how do we make it impactful, meaningful and sustainable?”
For example, you could use living plants instead of cut foliage and plastics, or set up interactive sustainability stations where guests can upcycle or use recycled materials to make fun props or decorations to take home.
Choose digital formats over print for wow-factor. AR photo filters, QR-led menus and projection mapping. Alternatively, choose recycled and recyclable materials printed with vegetable inks, or even modular installations and items you can feature all-year round back at HQ.
Key Sustainability Trends for Christmas Corporate Events
Sustainability isn’t new in the event industry, and there are plenty of ways to incorporate sustainability into any corporate event. But with increasing innovation and availability, there’s even more to choose from. Here are some of the new sustainable trends we’re already using, and you could too:
Zero-waste or minimal-waste design
From compostable tableware to LED lighting to eliminating plastic, every gram counts.
Carbon offset and transparent footprint reporting
Clients increasingly expect a carbon audit of the event as part of the deliverables.
Local and seasonal sourcing
Christmas menus, florals and props drawn from local growers, artisans and suppliers reduce mileage and bolster local economies.
Rent, borrow, refurbish over buy
Rather than purchasing, more agencies are renting unique decorative items or refurbishing vintage pieces, which can be used again and again.
Renewable energy and efficient energy design
All the AV ambition without the huge power demands. Solar-and-battery-powered lights, LED installations, motion-sensor lighting, and low-energy AV gear.
Hybrid / low-travel options
Reduce the travel footprint for regional companies or international teams, combining in-person celebrations with remote guests.
Eco-conscious gifting
Instead of generic swag, which rarely leaves the event, choose locally made, plant-based, digital or experiential gifts. Or products made from recycled or repurposed materials. Guests can leave with something useful and sustainable (a plant, reusable item, or meaningful memento) rather than pointless giveaways that end up in a landfill.
Sustainability-themed guest engagement
Examples: a “tree planted per guest” scheme; guest-choice menus that reduce meat/food waste; charity ties-in.
Practical Tips for Getting Started
- Begin early: sustainable materials often have longer lead times. If you’re a bit late for Christmas, start on other events and you’ll have it nailed by next Christmas.
- Audit your supply chain: ask your decorators, caterers and venue partners for their green credentials.
- Make sustainability part of the brief: assume it from the start and incorporate where you can from the outset, not as an afterthought.
- Test and refine: try a few things and see how it goes. Switch to compostables for one course, introduce a living centrepiece, and then scale things up for the next event.
- Measure and report: track waste, energy, carbon, and communicate results to the client.
- Showcase the story: label sustainable features during the event, explain choices, and make guests aware of the narrative.
Christmas events shouldn’t just be about sparkle, opulence and spectacle. They’re growing into moments that reflect brand purpose/values, demonstrate care, and inspire connection. By focusing on sustainability at every stage, we can deliver festive experiences that delight and make a positive impact.
At Eventurous, we’re passionate about crafting festive events that balance magic with responsible design. Ready to explore a greener Christmas celebration for your team or clients? Let’s talk >>