Christmas Parties
Tips for planning a great Christmas Party
The key to planning a successful Christmas party is starting early – even six months in advance. December is always a busy time of year, so it pays to get into gear well ahead of time.
Apart from easing the stress of the planning process, this ensures you get your pick of the Christmas party venues and catering and entertainment options.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your Christmas party:
Venue
Christmas parties tend to be high-spirited affairs; if you plan to be serving alcohol, you’ll need to consider how your guests will get home. Aim to choose a venue that is central and close to public transport and taxis.
To help you narrow down the options, decide roughly how many guests you’ll have and make a list of the facilities you require, such as audio/visual equipment, catering and the type and size of the space you want. A potential venue will be able to tell you pretty quickly if they’re able to meet your needs.
Food
Alcohol tends to play a fairly prominent role in many Christmas parties; if you plan to provide alcohol, make sure you serve a substantial amount of food as well to prevent your guests from imbibing too much.
Christmas time is a big party season, and most people will be attending a number of functions in this period; keep your menu interesting and consider offering healthy options – your guests (and their waistlines) will probably appreciate a night off from the usual stodgy fare.
Entertainment
Don’t rely on alcohol to keep your guests occupied – organise some entertainment or a unique activity that everyone will enjoy.
Remember that your Christmas party might be one in a long line of functions for some of your guests – aim to come up with an activity that’s a little bit different from the standard to make your event a memorable one.
Presents
‘Secret Santa’ gift-swapping is always fun, although you’ll need to give a bit of notice. Set a price limit (around $20 is standard) so your guests aren’t under pressure to spend big.