The festive season isn’t quite upon us, but as those in the events world will know, planning for it is.
Christmas parties are fun, often fancy, and usually full of excess. As such, they can have an adverse effect on the environment.
So how can you make your London-based Christmas party more sustainable?
Hosting an eco-friendly Christmas party in London doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or festivity; it means making thoughtful choices that reduce waste and carbon footprint. Here’s a few tips on what you can do:
Choose a sustainable venue:
Positively Dickensian in look and feel (Charles Dickens did in fact once live here), BMA House screams Christmas parties. But while we’re a historic building, we also have modern sustainable practises embedded in everything we do. Plus, members of our team are certified carbon literate.
Don’t just take our word for it, our awards speak for themselves. We’re proud to say that we won first place in the Sustainability category in the London Venue Awards 2023. And we have retained our Gold accreditation with Green Tourism since 2017.
Hosting your party at a venue like BMA House ensures your event is rooted in sustainability from the outset.
Green menus:
Food and drink are the bread and butter (pardon the pun) of any celebration.
Menus that prioritise seasonal produce, use organic or biodynamic beverages and offer plant-based options will ensure you’re reducing your carbon footprint and making use of sustainable farming methods.
Whether its mince pies, roast turkey or spiced butternut squash, BMA House in collaboration with Company of Cooks, offers a mouth-watering selection of sustainably-sourced and locally-grown ingredients, as well as vegan options including wines.
Eco-friendly decorations:
When it comes to big events, we can too easily focus on the aesthetic over the environmental impact. Single-use items are rife at Christmas parties – and not just the plastic sort. Wrapping paper and crackers have the shortest lifespans and then there’s the packaging they come in.
We don’t want to be total Christmas scrooges of course. There’s nothing wrong with upholding traditions, but what about instead of wrapping a gift in paper, wrapping it in a fabric – a pretty scarf, handkerchief etc – that’s then part of the gift?
Additionally, natural Christmas decorations, when sourced responsibly, support sustainable agriculture, e.g. holly branches can be pruned in a way that promotes the healthy growth of the plant. They’re also biodegradable, decomposing post-event and returning to the soil. (Plus, they bring more of a rustic charm and evocative festive scent than their plastic counterparts).
If natural décor isn’t an option, investing in high-quality decorations means you’ll be more likely to find ways to incorporate them into future events, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.
We recommend seeking out suppliers who make clear their sustainability policies and have a focus on reusability, particularly with themed events which tend to use specific décor.
Minimise waste:
Did you know that, according to The Soil Association, around two million turkeys and 74 million mince pies are binned every Christmas? Christmas invites indulgence which in turn invites unnecessary waste.
But we can still enjoy all the trimmings of Christmas while being mindful about waste.
In the event-planning phase, menu choices and accurate headcounts are key. If you’re planning a sit-down dinner, make sure you know as close to exact numbers as possible, and go for a menu with fewer options (an overloaded menu only brings choice paralysis anyway).
Here at BMA House, our chutneys are made from leftover, unused vegetables and we have a sustainable two-course set menu that reduces food waste, but these aren’t the only options to reduce waste. You could for example, plan to donate any leftover food to local charities or food banks. Many organisations will accept donations of untouched, surplus food from events.
Transport & accommodation
Yes, guests might not fancy cycling to the Christmas party, but you can still encourage guests to use sustainable forms of travel and advertise this on your (digital) invite.
Conveniently, BMA House is in the heart of Bloomsbury – close to London’s Euston and Kings Cross – making it particularly accessible.
But we also suggest carpooling or walking where possible. Sometimes, in London, a walk is quicker than a tube or cab anyway.
It’s possible to host a sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas party without compromising on quality. By making mindful choices, you can reduce your environmental impact while still creating a festive atmosphere.
This December, let BMA House help you host a Christmas party that reflects the true spirit of Christmas and gives back to the planet.
We’re proud to offer green Christmas party packages, called ‘Walking in a Greener Wonderland’, which offer all the thrills and excitement of Christmas but allow you to party the night away with a clear conscience. From plant-based bubbles to hand-selected, sustainable menu options and gorgeous eco-friendly centrepieces, we’ve got green Christmas covered.
For more information on holding your Christmas party at BMA House, contact our event planners on [email protected] or call 020 7874 7070.
