Creating the Ultimate Christmas Party

The Christmas season is a time for merriment, joy and gathering. One of the highlights of the festive period is undoubtedly the office Christmas party. Christmas parties offer a touch of magic with a captivating atmosphere and are an event people look forward to throughout the festive season, a time to let their hair down and enjoy time with colleagues before the start of the holidays. A good Christmas party will have guests reminiscing for years to come!

Planning a memorable Christmas Party may seem daunting but with careful organisation, you can create an unforgettable experience. In this blog post, we will explore tips and ideas for planning the ultimate office Christmas party:

1. Find the perfect venue

Great venues get booked up well in advance, so although the summer season may have you thinking Christmas is too far away to think about, bear in mind that a lot of companies find and book their Christmas party venue in summer, or sometimes even earlier so make sure you look around and at least provisionally hold some dates at your preferred venues. To find the right venue, there are a host of great event agencies who can help you or go on websites such as ‘Tag Venue’ or ‘Headbox’ to look at different venue options. We recommend filtering down the venues by location and the capacity you need, and then seeing which of those venues suits you in terms of atmosphere. Enquire for quotes and with the ones where the options and costings suit what your company is looking for, you can book in site visits. There is nothing like seeing the venue in person for a real sense of the space.

2. Set the theme

A well-defined theme sets the stage for a great Christmas party. Consider whether you want a cosy gathering, for instance an Alpine ski lodge is a great theme with soft lighting, bar stools, faux fur blankets on the chairs and pinecones and ferns adorning the tables. Or if you want a traditional party, choose a venue with classic features and traditional theming such as Christmas trees, beautiful ornaments, twinkling lights, garlands, and poinsettia. Once you have decided on a theme, transform your space into a festive wonderland. Work with your venue to see what theming they provide, and then add to that. The right decorations will instantly immerse your guests, setting the tone for an extraordinary celebration.

3. Plan engaging activities

To ensure your Christmas party is entertaining and engaging, incorporate activities throughout the evening. For a small party consider hosting a secret Santa gift exchange so everyone ends the evening with a present to take away. Or organise fun games such as a Christmas themed scavenger hunt: split everyone into teams and leave clues around the venue that ultimately ends in finding a Christmas themed trophy or prize. For a more interactive experience, set up a DIY craft station where guests can create personalised wreaths or Christmas decorations. Or for an informal event, fun fair stalls are also a great idea, how about a Christmas spin on traditional fun fair stalls such as ‘hook a bauble’ instead of ‘hook a duck’ or ‘wreath toss’ with wreaths instead of rings for a festive take on quoits.

4. Curate a festive menu

Delight your guests with a mouth-watering menu that captures the essence of the holiday season. Incorporate traditional dishes like roasted turkey or glazed ham, accompanied by flavourful sides such as pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, and condiments such as cranberry sauce. Don’t forget to inform your venue of any dietary requirements and have vegetarian and vegan options available. Enhance the culinary experience by serving drinks like mulled wine, spiced cider, or a festive cocktail. You could also see if the venue can offer dessert stations for the evening rather than a plated dessert, to allow more time for dancing, along with a wider range of sweet choices for guests to choose from. A well-thought-out menu will not only satisfy your guests’ taste buds but also adds to the overall festive ambience.

5. Create a memorable playlist

Music is the heart and soul of any celebration, and Christmas parties are no exception. Craft a playlist that blends beloved holiday classics with contemporary favourites. Include cheerful tunes that will get people dancing. Engage your guests by allowing them to request songs or even organise a holiday-themed karaoke session. The right music creates a festive atmosphere and ensures that everyone feels the spirit of the season.

Planning the ultimate office Christmas party requires attention to detail, creativity, and a dash of festive magic. Infusing every aspect of the party with fun, entertainment, lots of food and drink, and music is a winning combination.

The Inner Temple is a stunning venue if you are going with a traditional theme. We still have some availability left for Christmas so enquire today for availability. Click here to view our packages: https://innertemplevenuehire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Inner-Temple-Christmas-Brochure-2023.pdf

Cheers to a holiday season filled with unforgettable celebrations!