As the holiday season approaches, the task of organising your companies or clients’ Christmas Party can be both exciting and daunting. From finding a fabulously festive venue to curating a delectable menu for everyone to enjoy, to making sure it’s an event to be remembered for years to come, there are countless details to be considered in the party planning process. Fear not! We have put together our top tips for organizing the ultimate festive celebration!

 

1. Understand the numbers

It’s important that you have a guideline for your guest numbers and how much money you have to spend. Once you have a rough idea of what you’re working with, it will help to determine the types of venues, catering, entertainment, production and décor that you are able to consider for your Christmas party.

Top Tip: Split your budget into sections: Venue, Catering, Entertainment & Décor.

 

2. Start your venue search early

The early bird catches the worm! If you are looking for a prime date this Christmas (Thursdays and Fridays), you need to book early. The best venues do sell these dates in the early months of each year, so starting your venue find soon will deliver you the best possible shortlist.

Top Tip: Consider off-peak dates, you may get a more competitive price!

 

3. Think outside of the box

We all know there’s an expectation for your Christmas party to get better year-on-year, but in such a saturated market it can be really hard to know where to look. How about trying an experiential venue (having an activity as part of your party, always gets guests talking), or creating a festively fabulous theme (our favourite this year is a Vintage Christmas!), or even hiring those Christmas party add ons (make your own cocktail bar, immersive entertainment, a photobooth with a twist or trailblazing catering).

Top Tip: Join us at the London Christmas Party Show and meet with hundreds of new, out of the box venues and event suppliers. 

 

4. Provide a Christmas spread

Avoid any hangry guests and make sure your event is catered well! Great catering can elevate an event, leaving a lasting impression on your guests. It’s always the part of an event which is talked about the most, so make sure it’s celebrated. It’s not just about making sure guests don’t go hungry, exceptional catering will contribute to the overall ambience and enjoyment of the event and will make guests feel valued.

Top Tip: Gather dietary requirements early and cater for them!

 

5. Consider Event Management

Having a great event management team can help to make the event planning process much easier. Story Events; organisers of the London Christmas Party Show, entertain thousands of Christmas party goers each year and are experts it the field. Working closely with event managers means your vision is certain to come to life and with their connections and extensive industry knowledge they are sure to enhance and simplify your party planning process.

Top Tip: Give your event managers a good lead time – contact Story Events today!

 

If you’re still not sure where to start when it comes to looking for a venue, choosing menus or finding entertainment, make sure you join us at the London Christmas Party Show on the 16 – 17 July at Freemasons’ Hall, where you will find an abundance of Christmas event inspiration under one festively fabulous roof.