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Why Planning Ahead for Christmas Celebrations at Work is Essential

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It may be August whilst we write this article, but a well-planned festive celebration, complete with the all-important tree, can make a significant impact. However, to achieve a seamless and enjoyable holiday season at work, planning ahead is crucial. Here’s why early preparation is essential, and what you need to consider when setting up your office for Christmas. The workplace can be transformed into a festive environment that lifts spirits, boosts morale, and strengthens team bonds and planning needs to start in the Summer\Autumn months to ensure a successful event.

 

  1. The Importance of Early Planning

Why It Matters

The holiday season is a busy time, not just for businesses but for suppliers as well. By planning your Christmas celebrations early, you can avoid the last-minute rush and ensure you have everything you need for a festive and stress-free workplace.

When to Start: Ideally, planning should begin in September. This gives you ample time to decide on the type of tree, decorations and any other festivities you’d like to include, although booking a venue on the preferred date is sometimes even done as early as February.

 

  1. Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree: Real vs. Artificial

 Real Christmas Tree

Pros: A real tree brings a natural, fresh pine scent and an authentic feel that can enhance the festive atmosphere. It also supports sustainable forestry when sourced from a certified farm.

Cons: Real trees require more maintenance, including regular watering, and they can shed needles, making cleanup necessary. Disposal can be a hassle, and there may be additional costs for removal services.

Artificial Christmas Tree

Pros: An artificial tree is a one-time investment that can be reused for several years. They require minimal maintenance and are easy to set up and store. They also come in various styles, including pre-lit options that save time.

Cons: Artificial trees lack the natural scent and authenticity of a real tree. They are made from non-biodegradable materials, so they’re less eco-friendly. Over time, they may wear out and need replacement.

Installation Timing

The best time to install your Christmas tree is in late November or early December. This allows employees to enjoy the festive spirit throughout December without the tree becoming too much of a distraction or looking worn out by the time Christmas arrives.  Make sure you check with your supplier if you are going for a real tree to ensure it will last if you are installing this in late November.

  1. Considering Decorations and Brand Integration

Decoration Choices: When it comes to decorating the tree and the office, think beyond traditional reds and greens. Consider incorporating your company’s brand colours into the decorations. This not only reinforces your brand identity but also creates a unique and cohesive look.

Popular Decorations: Consider a mix of traditional ornaments like baubles, beads and fairy lights, along with personalised elements such as branded ornaments, custom-made ribbons or even employee-made decorations. Garlands around the office and festive lighting can also enhance the ambiance, window dressings or lift door vinyl’s to depict a Christmas theme.

Tech-Savvy Options: Smart LED lights that change colours or can be controlled via an app are a modern twist. They can be programmed to match your brand colours or even synchronize with holiday music.

Play on your senses: You can even have room mists that smell of Christmas scents like pine or cinnamon and many others.

 

  1. Professional Support for Workplace Festivities

Tree Installation and Removal Services: If you’re opting for a real tree or even a large artificial one, you will probably want to hire a professional service for installation and removal. Many companies offer this, ensuring the tree is set up safely and securely, and taken down without hassle.

Event Planners: For larger businesses, hiring an event planner to coordinate decorations, holiday parties and other festive activities can be a worthwhile investment. They can help ensure everything aligns with your company’s brand and culture.

Decoration Suppliers: There are businesses that specialise in corporate Christmas decorations, offering everything from bespoke baubles to full-scale office makeovers or liaise with an event planner who will manage this for you!

 

  1. Budgeting and Logistics

Costs to Consider: Beyond the cost of the tree and decorations, factor in installation charges, potential removal fees and any additional expenses such as event planning services, extra decorations, catering and the office party or meal.

Timing for Budgeting: Finalise your budget in the summer to ensure you have the necessary funds allocated before the winter holiday season begins. This will help you avoid overspending and allow for more accurate financial planning.

 

  1. Making the Season Merry and Bright

Morale Boosting: A well-decorated office and thoughtfully planned festivities can boost employee morale, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This is especially important during the holiday season, which can be a stressful and lonely time for some.

Employee Involvement: Consider involving employees in the decoration process or organising a tree-decorating event. This can be a fun way to engage your team and allow them to contribute to the festive atmosphere.

 

Conclusion

Planning ahead for Christmas celebrations in the workplace is key to ensuring a joyful and stress-free holiday season. From choosing the right tree – whether real or artificial – to selecting decorations that reflect your brand, every detail counts. By starting your preparations early and considering professional support, you can create a festive environment that enhances employee morale and leaves a lasting positive impression.

 

Tips for a Greener Christmas

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Brits love Christmas. After all, it is the season to be jolly! Christmas is great for spending time with loved ones, exchanging gifts with family and friends as well as indulge in way too much food! But as much as we don’t want to be bar humbug on Christmas celebrations, we have to realise that it has a huge negative effect on our planet.

Did you know that the amount of waste we throw out as a nation would fill 190 Royal Albert Halls? The good news is that there’s still time to get prepared for a ‘Green Christmas’ and all you have to do is follow our top tips for celebrating the season whilst still caring for our planet.

Wrapping paper & Tape

We understand that sparkly and coloured wrapping paper helps make your presents look nicer, but there are lots of paper that cannot be recycled, including:

• Wrapping paper that contains foil or is metallic
• Wrapping paper with glitter on it
• Wrapper paper that has a texture to it

There are lots of environmentally friendly wrapping paper options out there and these are simple papers made using fibres such as hemp or you could go for paper made from recycled content.

In addition, be cautious (and dare we say stingy) with the amount of tape that you use to finish off your presents. On average, each year we use around 40 million rolls of polypropylene sticky tape to wrap our presents. By not using plastic tape, or by opting to use eco-friendly tape alternatives, more wrapping paper can be reused and recycled for another year.

Recycled Christmas Cards

There’s always a sense of excitement when a card comes through the door, and nothing gets you more in the Christmas spirit than a beautifully designed Christmas card with a genuine, heartfelt message. However, some Christmas cards from shops can be expensive and non-recyclable which can quickly cause your bin to overflow once the festive season is over. Instead, we would suggest opting in for cards that are made from recycled paper and from verified sustainable sources.

That’s where Quills can help. We have a huge range of promotional Christmas Cards, most of which are made on FSC stock paper so they can be recycled in the new year. Not only can you choose a gorgeous design, but you can also personalise it with your own branding and really show your customers and employees your appreciation. What’s even better is that with every Christmas card order, a 10% donation will be made to a charity of your choice.  Have a look at our Christmas Card brochure.

Christmas trees

You may think that having a plastic tree is eco-friendly because you can re-use them every year, but real trees are definitely the more sustainable option. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), estimates that we bin six million Christmas trees each year. These plastic trees are made from petroleum products and use up resources in both the manufacture and shipping. When these trees are no longer wanted, they are sent to landfills where the plastic content makes them last forever.

Real trees are a great sustainable alternative as they are grown on tree farms and new trees are always being replanted. Some trees, if kept in water, can be re-planted outside after Christmas – Santa would love this too!

Food

This is a simple one – only buy what you need. As a nation, we throw a lot of food away due to poor meal planning and simply buying too much. In 2018 the UK threw away 9.52 million tonnes of food (source). Consider how you can re-use any leftover foods before throwing it away.

Gift wisely

Christmas gifts don’t have to cost the earth – after all, it’s the thought that really counts. Deviate away from the typical socks and aftershave present and give something a little different and sustainable this Christmas. We have a huge range of eco-friendly promotional gifts including cups, bags, notepads, bottles and more so that you can give something more personal and unique this year. Take a look at our brochure here.

An environmentally friendly Christmas doesn’t mean you need to be a stooge – it’s simply the smaller day to day things that can make a huge difference. At Quills, we have a huge range of eco-friendly products including recyclable tape, paper, cutlery and catering supplies to help get you prepared for a greener Christmas and some fantastic eco promotional corporate gifts.

Get in touch with one of our friendly team members today to see how we can help you.