Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec augue pretium
For many around the world, Christmas remains a season of hyper consumerism, involving celebrations and gift-giving at home and at work.
Yet, economic pressures, environmental concerns and shifting values mean businesses and individuals are reimagining what meaningful moments of celebration look like.
Christmas preparations now start earlier than ever, with more than a quarter of UK households shopping before November. Digital and mobile channels are the mainstay for gift buying, propelled by AI recommendation engines and personalised promotions.
Encouragingly, younger generations increasingly favour gifting experiences over material goods, such as retreats, classes and outings; aiming to reduce waste and elevate memorable moments. Businesses are responding. Brands launch deals long before Black Friday, while employers experiment with curated team activities, charity events and sustainable gifting.
Sustainability is no longer an added extra; it has become central to festive planning. Consumer surveys show a rising interest in everything from upcycled decorations and locally sourced foods to charitable giving and low-waste experiences. Charity shops report a seasonal increase in shoppers aiming to ‘give gifts that do good’, while campaigns such as ‘One More Tree’ and community repair events enable festive joy without excess.
Organisations are adopting circular economy principles by renting décor, repurposing event materials and engaging with local suppliers. Real trees, when ethically sourced and recycled, are favoured over plastic. Many offices increasingly encourage donating unwanted gifts to charity, while workplace canteens and caterers shift to plant-based menus to reduce their impact.
The UK typically sees a 30% boost in household waste over the festive period, driven by single-use packaging, disposable gifts and uneaten food. In response, leading brands and companies are launching initiatives to limit packaging, promoting reusable gift wrap, compostable decorations, and digital alternatives to physical cards and reports. Community circular economy festivals showcase ways to repurpose, recycle and share surplus through creative swaps and local collections.
Hybrid working has transformed festive gatherings. Trends show a marked move away from traditional ‘drinks and dancing’, towards more intimate gatherings of outdoor and hybrid events, and wellness-themed experiences.
'Connection first’ is a winning mantra; team events are designed to create genuine moments of bonding, from collaborative volunteering to nostalgia driven shared playlists. Themed party ideas range from enchanted forests and retro throwbacks to winter picnics and interactive games that bring all personalities into the fold. Parties increasingly include sober-friendly and accessible elements, acknowledging diverse preferences and needs.
Inclusion also means recognising and respecting all religious and cultural calendars. For many, a flexible approach builds loyalty and community, with examples including extra time off for key religious or cultural events, or aligning charitable projects with staff interests.
Responsible organisations are transparent about the impacts of their celebration choices, tracking and sharing data on waste, emissions and engagement. Reporting not only supports sustainability targets, it helps ‘close the loop’ by facilitating feedback, pushing for improvements and greater awareness year after year.
Scaling back excess consumption brings surprising rewards. Studies show that more mindful festive celebrations foster deeper engagement, boost wellbeing and lead to higher morale, as moments of appreciation replace extravagance. Try these practical, joyful ideas with your team:
Each of these ideas offers workplaces and communities the chance to celebrate with purpose without draining budgets or resources.
For businesses and consumers, the festive season is about balancing joy, sustainability and connection. The best celebrations aren’t the biggest – they are the ones that are thoughtful, fostering inclusion and delivering value: socially, environmentally and personally.
By embracing circular practices, supporting charitable initiatives and designing festivities that include everyone, organisations can ensure their celebrations leave behind kindness, not carbon.
Thomas Burgdorff and Johanna Flood from ISEP Europe share their perspectives
Christmas markets have a long tradition – the one in Dresden, for example, dates back more than 500 years. Some of the largest German cities have embraced sustainability in their events.
Essen, the European Green Capital 2017, has been recognised by the travel portal ‘European Best Destinations’ as one of the most sustainable festive markets in Europe, relying on green electricity, reusable dishes and prohibiting the use of plastic bags.
And Lübeck, a ‘Fair Trade Town’ since 2011, “is one of many examples in Europe promoting the local and regional economy, as well as committing to a more sustainable future for all,” says Thomas Burgdorff.
According to trade association Avfall Sverige’s waste trends 2024, Swedes
generate, on average, 426kg of waste per person a year. In Sweden,
household waste rises sharply at Christmas because of packaging materials
and food waste.
Overconsumption is increasing across the globe, but, as Johanna Flood, author of Konsumindre, says: “Relationships are what make us happy, not things. Essential ingredients in all relationships are empathy, active listening, curiosity, honesty and care. Relationships are built through presence. We already have enough things. Maybe it is time to swap the presents for presence.”
Beth Knight FISEP is a leader in social sustainability and driving transformational change within large multinationals
