In the last installment of my cost-saving series, I talked about ways to plan a sustainable menu without busting your budget.
Now we’re going to pivot from the kitchen to the event floor and talk about decor and giveaways.
Decor
Creative decor is vital for establishing the mood and overall experience of an event. Here are three ideas for decor that are eye-catching, inexpensive and environmentally-friendly:
1. Decorate with reusable live potted plants instead of cut flowers. You’ll be able to reuse the plants for multiple events without fear of wilting. Or, if you give centerpieces away to guests, they can enjoy them for much longer.
2. Create centerpieces out of whole fruits and vegetables instead of flowers. The vibrant colors and shapes will create a beautiful effect with no need for watering. After the event, donate the fruits and veggies to a local food bank.
3. Source decor items locally to cut down on transportation and shipping. Consider purchasing items you use frequently, instead of renting them for each event. Check out offerings from local artists, antique stores and thrift shops for eclectic, unique feature items.
Giveaways
Giveaways allow guests to take a piece of the event home with them, but they’re also often the source of a lot of event waste.
Here are three cost-saving ways to reduce the expense and waste associated with event giveaways:
1. Reduce the number of swag items you give away, and make every giveaway optional. This means you won’t have to order one of every item for every guest, and guests won’t feel obligated to take home items they don’t want. Instead of pre-setting swag items at place settings or in bags, have a swag table where guests can grab giveaways if they’re interested.
2. Donate extra giveaway items to a local organization for a tax write-off.
3. Collect temporarily-used items back at the end of the event, like lanyards, name badge holders, or even conference bags guests may decide they don’t need. Avoid branding these items with the event year or location so you can reuse them again in the future.
When you plan decor and giveaways around items you can creatively reuse, it not only reduces your expenses and environmental footprint, but it introduces a creative constraint that may lead to your most innovative designs yet.
Another cost-saving tip? Learn stuff for free! Check out my free downloadable resources to get started with sustainable steps at your events.