Planning a budget for your work Christmas party can be tough. There are so many different things to consider and it can be pretty overwhelming. So, where do you start? What are the things that you really need to think about when it comes to sorting out your budget so you can plan the best Christmas party ever. We would say that the most important things are your guest list, location, the type of venue you’re interested in, and if you’d like to add on things like catering or entertainment. We’ll dive into these topics below so you can better understand what your budget should be.

If you already know the amount of people you’d like to invite, your location, and what kind of add-ons you’re interested in, why not try out our handy Christmas party budget calculator?

What to Consider When Putting Together Your Christmas Soirée Budget

Guest List

You’re obviously going to want to invite your entire team. If you’re a hybrid company and have some remote workers, make sure you include them. You’ll also want to think about whether or not you’ll need to cover travel costs for anyone travelling to the party from faraway. It’s usually a nice thing to cover at least some of their expenses so you’ll need to include this in your budget.

The other thing you want to think about is if you’re going to allow plus ones. Remember that this will double the amount of people you’re inviting, which means you’ll end up spending a lot more. 

Location

Your budget will change depending on where you host your party. If you’re hoping to celebrate Christmas in London, your budget will be significantly higher than other parts of the UK. You’ll also need to consider how centrally located you want your party to be. If you’re happy to have your Christmas event on the outskirts of London it’ll be cheaper than if you had it in the heart of Soho. 

Venue

There are so many incredible venues to choose from when it comes to finding something for a Christmas event. Depending on your vibe you can choose a bar or pub for drinks or enjoy a seated dinner at a restaurant in a private dining room. You can get the whole team to join in at an activity bar or find a gorgeous banquet hall for a gala.

Choose a suitable venue that works for the amount of people you’re inviting. You can find venues for smaller teams and much larger ones. There are dry hire options available where you pay a fee to rent the space and then things like catering and entertainment can be added on for an additional fee. If you think you’ll end up with a smaller budget, you can find venues with minimum spends. 

Catering

Decide on the type of food and beverages you’ll offer at your event. Some venues offer special packages when you book with them so make sure you ask about this when you send your enquiry through. They often offer deals if you pre-order. 

You can also ask what catering partners venues have as they’ll often have preferred ones that they work with frequently. You can figure out food and drink options for any budget. From ordering a couple of pizzas to having an elaborate sit down meal, you’ll be able to find something suitable for you. 

Entertainment

The next thing you need to think about is entertainment. Are you happy with creating your own playlist and plugging in your phone to a speaker? Or do you want a band or DJ playing? This decision will have a large impact on your budget for your Christmas soirée. 

Extras 

The last thing you’ll want to consider when sorting out your budget for Christmas is whether or not you want to buy decorations, offer any gifts or prizes for the end of year, and if you’re going to send out a formal invite or create something yourself and send via email. While these things may sound like small purchases, they can add up pretty quickly.