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• » Christmas parties

Christmas parties

December is always a busy time of year, so it’s a good idea to start planning Christmas parties well ahead of time. This not only saves you a lot of stress and rush, but also ensures you have access to the best venues, decoration and catering options, at the best prices.

Step 1: Choose the right venue

• If the event is to be a large staff Christmas party, you need to consider how your guests will get home and the event may need to be situated near public transport
• If the party will go late and some guests live a long way from the venue, you may need to provide overnight accommodation or host the party in a hotel
• Choose a venue to suit the number of guests: if it’s a small, intimate gathering, possibly a private room in a restaurant will suit

Step 2: Give thought to food

• If you’re serving alcoholic drinks, serve some food as well to prevent the inevitable from happening
• Always consider your guests’ possible dietary requirements, such as people with allergies or vegetarians
• People often attend several functions during the Christmas season, so try to keep your menu creative and unique

Step 3: Plan appropriate entertainment 

• Ensure any entertainers you book have a full brief well before the event, and are aware of what you hope to achieve
• Factor in rest time for the entertainers. This may include providing them with a light meal
• Ensure all audio-visual and lighting requirements are factored in, and give the venue and suppliers a running order of the event that is both realistic and practical