Have Yourself a Greener Little Christmas: GAP’s Top Tips for a sustainable Christmas party
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Trees are being decorated, wreaths are hung and festive cheer is in the air. Alongside the holiday spirit comes a staple of the season: the office Christmas party.
As the year comes to a close, it’s a time to gather with colleagues, celebrate achievements and bid farewell to 2024.
But why not make this year’s celebration greener? By incorporating sustainable practices into your office festivities, you can reduce waste and environmental impact while still enjoying the holiday season.
Whoever you are organising a Christmas party for, make sure to follow GAPs five tips for an eco-friendly office Christmas party!
1. Location
If you are unsure about the location of your party, consider the accessibility the location has by public transport. Make it accessible for guests to come by public transport, rather than by car or taxi.
2. Go vegan/vegetarian!
Serving plant-based meals is a fantastic way to cut down on the environmental footprint of your party. Vegan and vegetarian options are significantly more sustainable than meat-based dishes. If you do include meat, choose organic options for a more planet-friendly menu.
3. Quality over quantity.
If your company plans on exchanging gifts, focus on quality over quantity. A thoughtful, durable gift holds more value for the recipient and is kinder to the planet than a pile of disposable trinkets.
4. Skip material gifts
Gifting experiences or practical goods is more sustainable, and just as exciting to receive as a material gift. Experiences stay forever, goods eventually will fade. Tickets to an event, vouchers, or even a fun team activity (like a team visit to our community gardens!) can create lasting memories, without contributing to waste.
5. Share leftovers
Avoid letting leftover food go to waste. Provide colleagues with takeaway containers or organise a system for distributing extras. It’s a simple way to minimise waste and spread holiday cheer.
Your Christmas party habits matter
By following these tips, your office Christmas party could save the same amount of CO2 emissions as a flight from Dublin to Saudi Arabia. Small, thoughtful changes add up, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the festive spirit.
This holiday season, make your office celebration an example of how even small actions can have a lasting impact.
Change does not have to start big, but rather with embracing small habits that will have a lasting impact.
Are you ready to organise the greenest Christmas party in town?
Let us know what you think.