Our best tips and tricks on how to plan the perfect Xmas party
It’s never too early to start planning the office Christmas party – as any office manager, personal assistant or chief of staff will know only too well.
The simple fact is this: if you’re looking to host a large-scale Christmas party it’s wise to lock down your venue early to get the pick of the bunch. Use our tips and tricks to make sure your Christmas do is all that and more.
Planning a large-scale Christmas Party
If you want to secure your perfect venue on the ideal date, then there are a few details you need to know beforehand:
1. Budget
How much money does your company want to spend on a Christmas party? Are you looking for a Christmas party on a budget or is this the year you and your team really go all out?
2. Number of people attending
Of course you can’t always know the exact number who’ll attend the party, but a ballpark figure will help you secure the right sized venue. The size of the location you pick will inevitably be the most important thing on which the atmosphere of the party is depending so it’s important to find the right fit for you.
3. Decide what type of Christmas party you want to throw
Do you want something laidback or glitzy? Do you want entertainment or space for dancing? Whatever the answer is this is something to think about to get the right venue.
4. Speakers
Will you want to do speeches before the party starts? In which case, you may need a venue with tech capabilities like microphones, a screen or a stage.
5. Catering
You need drinks at a Christmas party – that’s for certain! But what sort of food will you offer to soak up the fizz?
VenueScanner Corporate Concierge
VenueScanner is a great resource and a really easy way to find and book a venue. However, once you find your venue, you need to iron out all the details directly with them. If you don’t have time, why not take advantage of VenueScanner’s Corporate Concierge service? It’s free to use too!
All you have to do is fill out the Venue Finder form – with its eight quick-and-easy questions covering things like the type of event, date, location, budget and the extras you would like such as a photographer, a presenter or a performance.
The VenueScanner concierge team will then get in touch with a shortlist of venues before enquiring on your behalf. Then all you need to do is book your favourite and confirm any final details with the venue. Simple, right?
Seven Brilliant London Christmas Party Venues
In the east of London is the large and versatile warehouse, Oval Space. The 5,000-foot main area is completely adaptable and there are plenty of breakout spaces, too. Outside is a beautiful terrace that overlooks the gasworks; a surprisingly beautiful urban vista. The sound system is second-to-none and the catering options are impressive. Be sure to book this before it goes.
Gatsby Club at Freemasons Hall
This Grade II listed building has a jaw-dropping 1920s style and offers a roaring twenties Christmas party package in November and December. Guests are welcomed with a sparkling wine drinks reception, followed by a sumptuous sit-down three-course dinner or two-course bowl food with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks. Catering is supplied by Moving Venue and entertainment comes courtesy of The Gatsby Trio Jazz Band and a live DJ to round off the evening. More details here.
OXO2
OXO2 is situated on the second floor of London’s iconic Oxo Tower and it boasts wonderful panoramic views of the River Thames and the city’s skyline. The venue is ideal for a small to mid-size Christmas party as it can host groups from 20 to 250. The in-house events team can help to make your office party a memorable one, from decking out the flexible space so it’s suitably festive to organising the in-house caterers (dessert station, anyone?). More details here.
Museum of London
If you want to throw a Christmas party with a difference, head to The Museum of London, where you will be able to view the exclusive collections to kick things off. The garden room – with its curved walls and floor-to-ceiling windows – is a great space to hold a Christmas party in London for up to 80 people, and the terrace rooms can host up to 200 guests. With an approved caterer list, you can offer a drinks reception, food stations and even fine dining. More details here.
Want to ensure your staff are still talking about the office Christmas party 2020 in years to come? The post-industrial Printworks in south-east London boasts six acres of private land and a totally blank canvas for you to create your bespoke Christmas party for up to 2,500 people. This venue enables your event to be as experimental as your creativity (and budget!) allows. More details here.
Troxy
Originally a luxury cinema when it opened in 1933, today Troxy is an award-winning events space. The Grade II listed building has buckets of charm but plenty of modern facilities like state of the art PA and lighting systems. The Grand Hall is the ideal place for presentations; there are plenty of breakout rooms, five bars and a 2am license, making this the ideal venue for an end of year bash for a big company. Book this venue for your Christmas party and you’ll be assigned your own events manager to ensure the planning and execution run smoothly.
Click here for even more Christmas party planning tips and inspiration.
In Top Tips
