Holiday Party Ideas 2017: 12 Ideas for a Greenery Theme

Pantone’s color of the year can be interpreted as a nature-inspired theme for seasonal parties.

Michele Laufik
November 6, 2017

From evergreen branches to hearty dishes, here are some ways to plan a cozy, woodsy theme for a holiday event.

The dining table at the Spotify event featured classic plaid napkins and evergreen sprigs.
The dining table at the Spotify event featured classic plaid napkins and evergreen sprigs.
Photo: Quyn Duong
A festive table design, styled by Tinsel Experiential Design, features the sparkly Emerald Sequin Taffeta linen from Miami-based Nuage Designs. Pricing starts at $35.
A festive table design, styled by Tinsel Experiential Design, features the sparkly Emerald Sequin Taffeta linen from Miami-based Nuage Designs. Pricing starts at $35.
Photo: Sofia Negron
A cozy caramel cowhide rug is available in San Francisco from Yeah Rentals. Pricing is available upon request.
A cozy caramel cowhide rug is available in San Francisco from Yeah Rentals. Pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Yeah Rentals
Rosemary potato salad skewers from Truffleberry Market in Chicago add a touch of fragrant greenery to the menu.
Rosemary potato salad skewers from Truffleberry Market in Chicago add a touch of fragrant greenery to the menu.
Photo: Courtesy of Truffleberry Market
Brooklyn-based the Gathery, along with hostess and lifestyle blogger Camille Styles, designed Cointreau’s Art of La Soiree event in October 2016. Guests learned how to package a holiday gift and received custom calligraphed gift tags.
Brooklyn-based the Gathery, along with hostess and lifestyle blogger Camille Styles, designed Cointreau’s Art of La Soiree event in October 2016. Guests learned how to package a holiday gift and received custom calligraphed gift tags.
Photo: NBarrett Photography
Set the mood with the Cedar & Citron Black Axiom Candle, $25, from Skeem Design. The reusable matte-black, cut-glass jars are accented with gold metallic lids. They also make sweet-smelling seasonal party favors.
Set the mood with the Cedar & Citron Black Axiom Candle, $25, from Skeem Design. The reusable matte-black, cut-glass jars are accented with gold metallic lids. They also make sweet-smelling seasonal party favors.
Photo: Courtesy of Skeem Design
The Hunter Green Lounge Chair, $330, from Miami-based Ronen Rental features a Douglas fir frame with fabric cushions.
The Hunter Green Lounge Chair, $330, from Miami-based Ronen Rental features a Douglas fir frame with fabric cushions.
Photo: Courtesy of Ronen Rental
The Snow Cap cocktail kit, $122, from artisanal food purveyor Mouth includes three bottles of booze—Amaro delle Sirene, Alander spiced rum, and King’s County chocolate whiskey—along with recipes to mix up spiked coffee drinks.
The Snow Cap cocktail kit, $122, from artisanal food purveyor Mouth includes three bottles of booze—Amaro delle Sirene, Alander spiced rum, and King’s County chocolate whiskey—along with recipes to mix up spiked coffee drinks.
Photo: Courtesy of Mouth
Matthew Schechter of Interior Foliage Design in New York predicts that floral elements like cymbidiums, dianthus, and hypericum berries will continue to be popular for arrangements.
Matthew Schechter of Interior Foliage Design in New York predicts that floral elements like cymbidiums, dianthus, and hypericum berries will continue to be popular for arrangements.
Photo: Courtesy of Interior Foliage Design
New York-based event design company Tinsel Experiential Design created a formal holiday dinner for Spotify at 180 Maiden Lane in New York in December. The space was transformed into a sophisticated ski chalet with playful elements like fire pits, indoor snowdrifts, and a furry stuffed bear for photos.
New York-based event design company Tinsel Experiential Design created a formal holiday dinner for Spotify at 180 Maiden Lane in New York in December. The space was transformed into a sophisticated ski chalet with playful elements like fire pits, indoor snowdrifts, and a furry stuffed bear for photos.
Photo: Quyn Duong
During the post-dinner dance party at the Spotify holiday event, Levy Lighting mimicked snowfall using a combination of moving lights.
During the post-dinner dance party at the Spotify holiday event, Levy Lighting mimicked snowfall using a combination of moving lights.
Photo: Quyn Duong
Chef Tatiana Rosana of the Envoy Hotel in Boston says “a tortilla espanola is a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing dish that can be used as a main, side, or starter to any meal. Fluffy eggs are baked in a cast-iron skillet with a splash of cream, thin slices of potatoes, savory onions, and parsley until browned. Slice it into wedges and serve it warm with a fresh salad, juicy steak, or just a drizzle of olive oil.”
Chef Tatiana Rosana of the Envoy Hotel in Boston says “a tortilla espanola is a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing dish that can be used as a main, side, or starter to any meal. Fluffy eggs are baked in a cast-iron skillet with a splash of cream, thin slices of potatoes, savory onions, and parsley until browned. Slice it into wedges and serve it warm with a fresh salad, juicy steak, or just a drizzle of olive oil.”
Photo: Jason Wessel
Guests can be on the naughty or nice list with this living Santa “statue” from Smash Party Entertainment.
Guests can be on the naughty or nice list with this living Santa “statue” from Smash Party Entertainment.
Photo: Courtesy of Smash Entertainment
More in Event Design
Operated by the Gerber Group, the Connie cocktail bar at the TWA Hotel at J.F.K. Airport can be booked for private or semiprivate events in the newly-renovated cabin. Parked on the tarmac just outside the hotel, the intimate 900-square-foot space works well for smaller group gatherings, with a 30-person maximum capacity.
Winter Whimsy: 9 Ideas for Hosting a Holiday Party in Unconventional Spaces
Event DesignOctober 29, 2019
Last year, the L27 Rooftop Lounge, located at the Westin Nashville, launched its 'Alpine Experience' converting the space into a ski chalet. The venue plans to transform the lounge again this year.
Up on the Rooftop: 9 Ideas for Hosting a Sky-High Holiday Party
Event DesignOctober 29, 2019
Event design agency B Floral designed this festive tablescape with a mix of blooms such as roses, tulips, and Calla lilies in shades of red and purple.
Festive and Formal: 11 Ideas for Hosting a Traditional Holiday Party
Event DesignOctober 29, 2019
Holiday Graphic2
Seasonal Spaces: Corporate Holiday Party Ideas Inspired by Venues
Event DesignOctober 29, 2019
In another Hocus Pocus-inspired photo op, guests could climb into the grave of Billy Butcherson.
Last-Minute Inspiration for Halloween Parties of All Types
Event DesignOctober 29, 2019
Bold & Eccentric Floral Backdrop.
Changing the Trend-Setting Game: 6 Bold Trends, 1 Event
SponsoredOctober 29, 2019
A swing outfitted with the KimChi logo provided a social media-friendly moment.
How This Launch Party Channeled a Drag Queen’s Over-the-Top Aesthetic
Event DesignOctober 22, 2019
On September 14, guests gathered for the annual Wolf Trap Ball to celebrate the end of the organization’s summer season, raising $1.73 million in support of the arts and education programs of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Held at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Northern Virginia near Washington, the design of this year’s event, which was hosted in partnership with the Embassy of Singapore and in cooperation with the National Park Service, was inspired by the culture of Singapore.
What You Might Have Missed from the 2019 Summer Benefit Season
Event DesignOctober 2, 2019
For a private Halloween party planned by Event Du Jour in 2017, Revelry Event Designers created a dramatic vignette featuring a large candelabra, skeleton pillows and props, black furniture rentals, and an abundance of deep red roses from Celio's Design.
Tricks and Treats: 28 Spooky Ideas to Inspire Your Next Halloween Event
Event DesignSeptember 30, 2019
HBO celebrated its 137 nominations—and big win for Game of Thrones—with a joint event with Warner Media at the Pacific Design Center on Sunday night. HBO’s Cindy Tenner and Ashley Covarrubias worked with longtime designer and producer Billy Butchkavitz to create an “HBO Nighclub” feel. Butchakvitz drew inspiration from the works of photographer Helmut Newton and artist Bjorn Wiinblad to design the event, which was built on top of the venue’s fountain plaza and had a gray, black, taupe, and gold color scheme. More than 2,000 guests attended.
Emmys 2019: Design and Production Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Parties
Event DesignSeptember 24, 2019
The Patrons Pavilion featured custom-fabricated fringe chandeliers, weighing 12,000 pounds, highlighted by more than 3,000 cascading gold pendants. White leather seating and tall floral arrangements completed the look.
What It Took to Produce the San Francisco Symphony's Biggest Gala Yet
Event DesignSeptember 17, 2019
A rendering of how the space will look on Emmys night.
Emmys 2019 Preview: See This Year's Colorful 'Brilliance in Motion' Theme
Event DesignSeptember 12, 2019
Kehoe Designs provided decor for a tented dinner that followed the performance. Some 800 guests sat for dinner in an 80- by 220-foot tent erected on the lawn. The tent was constructed over the course of seven days and was accompanied by a 20- by 110-foot food prep area.
See a Black-Tie Gala Inspired by Megawatt Performer Jennifer Hudson
Event DesignSeptember 10, 2019
HGTV Magazine’s sixth annual Block Park, held in New York in August, featured an HGTV logo made from sand. Rubik Marketing designed and produced the event.
18 Clever Ways to Render Logos at Events
Event DesignSeptember 3, 2019