As we reach the most wonderful time of the year, it also means that the annual Christmas work party needs to be planned and coordinated. If you happen to be the person in charge of this year’s Christmas party, congratulations!
Whilst it can be stressful, it is also a fun experience and if you’re wondering where to begin, look no further. Here is the ultimate guide to planning your Christmas work party for this year. Let the festivities commence!
Research
First and foremost, research is the very first step when it comes to planning the Christmas party. By this we mean researching previous corporate Christmas events and investigating what was successful in terms of engagement and what wasn’t successful. With these insights, you are thus better equipped to plan the upcoming Christmas party so that it doesn’t repeat any unsatisfactory aspects of previous corporate Christmas parties.
It may also be worth conducting surveys for other staff members to identify any preferences that they may have regarding the Christmas party in terms of food, venue, or activities. In order to do this, however, you must be willing to plan the party weeks in advance.
Budget
Before you can even book or ask for quotes, you must determine your budget for the Christmas work party. Is the company paying for every expense or will there be a contribution from employees themselves? Knowing your budget and how it is funded is a good place to start as it can help set an outline of the expenses of the Christmas party.
For example, with a small budget, you won’t be able to throw an extravagant party at a renowned venue – instead, it may simply have to be in the office itself, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Different budgets can also limit (or expand) what type of activities are available for guests during the party, so make sure that you know what the budget is.
Venue location, date, and time
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Three of the most important aspects of a corporate Christmas party are the location, date, and time. It is crucial that you sort these out as soon as possible so that you are able to plan the nitty gritty parts of the event.
In terms of location, have you thought about public transport links for staff who don’t drive? The closer the venue is to a bus stop or train station, the more likely it is that these staff will actually RSVP ‘attending’ to the Christmas office party.
Moreover, the date and time of the event is just as crucial – we suggest a date in early to mid December, but definitely not any closer to Christmas as this period will most likely be the busiest for staff members. As for time, you should decide whether it’ll be a daytime or evening event, and as for the latter, this could be suitable after a work day, but some guests may not attend if they get tired easily after work, so bear this in mind.
Catering
Of course, everyone wants free food! You must ensure the catering can accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies, so there should be a few vegan or vegetarian and gluten-free options available. It would be a good idea to incorporate a set meal where the menu is sent out a few weeks before the event, which gives guests enough time to inform you of any dietary requirements or allergies so that their set meal is altered accordingly to these.
For something to lift festive spirits up straight away, you may want to consider handing out cocktails as soon as employees arrive – a signature festive drink that will surely boost guests’ mood. Implementing a cocktail bar in the venue is also another fun idea, allowing guests to order or mix their own cocktails.
Entertainment
Last but not least, to help employees enjoy the party and not feel like leaving halfway through, you must have some form of entertainment. You may want to save some space in the budget for a Christmas photo booth in London which is a fun addition to any event. Photo booths are perfect for creating memorable moments for guests, as well as providing them with a little keepsake afterwards to truly commemorate the Christmas event.
Other entertainment ideas include karaoke, Secret Santa (planned beforehand), bingo (with prizes), or any other activities you believe will keep your guests entertained throughout the night. Oh, and don’t forget to decorate! A Christmas tree is a must, and festive decorations like garlands, Christmas lights, and wreaths should also make an appearance.
Editor-in-Chief since 2011.
