Xmas party planning season has arrived, which means it’s time to get booking your Christmas party venue.
Luckily, the Internet is full of guides, tips and articles on the things that you should do to ensure the Christmas party goes without a hitch. However, there’s not much out there that tells you what to avoid when Xmas party planning. Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, here’s a little gift from us to help you navigate any potential pitfalls.
The Top 5 Don’ts of the Christmas Do This Year
Let’s swiftly move on to the biggest no-no’s of hosting a Christmas bash! We promise we’ll keep it short so you can focus on planning the perfect gathering.
1. Booking the Xmas party venue Without Conducting a Site Visit
Now, this may sound obvious, but there are still many event organisers, EAs and PAs who book venues without viewing them. This is a big no-no as far as we’re concerned. Have you ever heard the saying ‘looks can be deceiving? Well, that of course applies to venues. It’s crucial to check out any Christmas party venue in the UK before you book them for capacity purposes, and to ensure that the venue is fully accessible for guests. A site visit also means that you can rest assured your boss won’t have any issues when they enter the chosen Christmas venue.
2. Assuming a Venue’s Capacity
When looking for a Christmas party venue in London or elsewhere, people often base the maximum capacity on the number of people that are due to attend. However, the seating arrangements of your Xmas bash can greatly affect how much space you’ll have. Don’t just assume that because a venue can hold 100 people, that it can hold 100 of your guests with a cabaret layout. Always make sure that you’re well aware of how much space a venue has based on your personal seating arrangements, not just a standard guideline. Especially if you plan on having entertainment as well.
3. Leaving the Office Christmas Party Planning Until the Last Minute
There are 12 months in a year, and a good 4 of them should be spent on Christmas party planning. Literally, the earlier you start the better. if you’re looking for inspiration now’s the time to start the hunt for the perfect venue. It may sound ridiculous, but finding the right venue, entertainment and catering take time. Even finding the right date can be a hassle; you don’t want to let any office scrooges have an excuse not to attend. Book it in the calendar early to ensure all your colleagues are up for a night of fun, laughter, and festivity.
4. Expecting a Central Location to Be the Right Location
When it comes down to location people often think that central is the best bet. If you’re looking for a Christmas party venue in Manchester or London this might seem like the best option but that isn’t always the case. When it comes to transportation links, the centre of any city is always a good shout. However, proper planning means you take everything into consideration; perhaps the city centre isn’t actually the easiest place for your colleagues or guests to get to? If your office is a two-and-a-half-hour commute from the city centre, does it really make sense for the Xmas party to be held somewhere central? Or, maybe the venues within the city are less affordable. If you’re looking to switch up the vibe this Christmas, then perhaps a change of scenery might actually be ideal.
5. Forgetting About Special Dietary Requirements
Last but definitely not least… Christmas is all about making memories, but you don’t want the memory of a colleague ending up in A&E because you forgot to tell caterers about a nut allergy. Don’t take the risk! Make sure you know all of your guests’ dietary requirements well in advance to let any caterers know.
Still looking for the perfect Christmas venue? Fill out our venue finder form and we’ll find you the perfect space that’ll tick all your boxes this year.
