The twinkly lights are coming out of hibernation, the mince pies are piling up and the Prosecco is chilling. It can only mean one thing, it’s officially Christmas party season!
Now that we can be inside with our friends and family again this year, hosting a get-together to enjoy the festivities feels even more special. So why not up the luxury? You deserve a little extravagance.
But while you’re dusting off the decorations, we encourage you to bring your sustainable values to the season. We know you care about your impact on the environment, but as a nation, we Brits create around 30% more waste during Christmas time alone. That’s not a statistic to celebrate!
So that you can squeeze every ounce of joy from your long-awaited soirees, we’ve pulled together our top tips for a more eco-conscious get-together, without missing out on any of the luxuries…
Set the mood with aromachology
First things first, let’s set the scene with a powerful scent!
Whether you’re looking to Relax around an open fire, Relate as you share stories from the year gone, find Release or Renew your senses, fragrance has the ability to enhance your mood for the better.
If it’s a family party that’s on your calendar, try our Family Room Mist to strengthen those connections. Its unique blend features palmarosa to encourage emotional stability, as well as ylang-ylang and lavender to both re-energise and calm the mind.
Or for a truly magical atmosphere, light our Limited Edition Holiday Candle in the centre of the dinner table. Warming nutmeg, cassia and orange will help your guests relax while gently lifting their festive spirit. It’s like Christmas in a jar!
Deck the halls with sustainable luxury decor
Decorations make a party, don’t they? But single-use plastics and damaging materials still creep into our baubles, tinsel and trees.
To keep things looking extra luxe while staying sustainable, it’s time to forage! Eucalyptus and holly make stunning additions to your mantlepiece and bring that fresh smell of nature. Mix in sprigs of seasonal sage and rosemary for extra punch.
For your door, try your hand at making your own wreath with fir branches, cinnamon sticks or pine cones. We love this simple DIY from Hobby Craft.
Want to step it up a notch? Dried fruits like orange and lemon slices make beautiful decorations as well as decadent garnishes for your festive tipples.
Get eco with your gifting
Gifting something special to your guests is a great way to spread more cheer, but present giving can create unnecessary waste when not done with consideration.
Instead of shopping for each and every person on your party list, holding a secret Santa can be a purse- and planet-friendly alternative – not to mention a more fun one! Just add your names to a draw in advance, set a budget and enjoy the surprise of not knowing who chose your thoughtful present (if you can all keep the secret, that is!).
To treat your loved one with a gift that keeps on giving, a Halcyon Naturals Subscription Box will deliver one of our Classic Candles, plus a wellness treat, to their doorstep each month for as long as you like.
Or for a gift they can open on the night, a Mood Pack brings a complete set of our luxurious glass jar candles, across each of our signature moods. For full Christmas vibes, we love the Limited Edition Holiday Mood Pack, featuring our Holiday, Peace, Prayer and Family candles. (Psst, we now offer both Clearpay and Klarna to help you budget, too!).
Whatever you choose to gift your loved ones, look for recyclable packaging and skip novelty, throwaway items when you can. And when it comes to wrapping, avoid adding to the 227,000 miles of wrapping paper that get thrown out each year and try the furoshiki method, which uses upcycled scarves to create beautiful parcels.
Introduce more plant-based options
What’s a party without party food?! Puddings, parsnips and potatoes aplenty, it’s quite possibly the best part of any Christmas do, but one that can leave behind eye-watering waste year on year.
The best way to avoid throwing the brussels in the bin is to plan ahead and buy only what you need. But if you do end up with leftovers, get creative with some delicious use-it-up recipes like this Boxing Day brunch.
Adding more plant-based options to your festive spread is a great way to reduce your carbon emissions by up to half, and the options available now mean that no one has to miss out on the traditional tastes.
To bring the luxe to your table, try these mini nut roasts with candied carrots or these vegan ‘smoked salmon’ toasts. Can your guests guess what the ‘salmon’ is actually made of?
And for dessert, we can’t get enough of this simple to make chocolate and brandy mousse with Lotus biscuit crumbs. Brandy and biscoff? Yes, please!
Focus on the festive fun
Hosting the most beautiful Christmas party brings plenty of joy at this time of year. But make sure to focus your attention on the people over the party itself to get the most from it.
Enjoy the quality time you get to spend together, creating memories that will stay with you for years to come. That’s the biggest luxury we all have this year!
—
Bring on the festivities! Will you incorporate any of these eco-conscious ideas? Let us know your party plans by tagging us at @HalcyonNaturalsUK on Instagram.