September is here! Let's talk about Christmas parties for your company?
Talking about the company’s Christmas party when summer isn’t even over may seem an early start. But you have to consider the time it takes to plan such a major event, booking the desired venue, availability of backup staff, etc.
Remember that there are thousands of other organisations that will also be celebrating the Christmas season during the same month. The competition for finding the right venue with the right budget is very high. If you don’t start thinking about your company’s Christmas party in September, you risk not having the perfect place to organise it.
As a specialist in organising events in the Algarve, Events Plan It has extensive experience in putting together memorable corporate Christmas parties.
How to plan a Christmas party for your company?
Planning events always requires a lot of planning, contacts with various partners and a great deal of creativity.
These are the 6 steps to make your Christmas party run smoothly and be appreciated by the whole team.
1. Choose the date
December is the perfect month to hold a corporate Christmas party. However, many employees may be on holidays or prefer to spend time with their families. If your company is large, it is best to choose the first few days of the month to avoid scheduling conflicts. If the group is small, it will be easier to celebrate the occasion with a more intimate event closer to Christmas.
2. Decide on the venue
Are your company premises the ideal place to hold an event? Is it comfortable enough, does it have the infrastructure and area to serve the meal and carry out the planned activities? With good event organisation and decoration skills, any space can be transformed. Depending on the number of guests and the expectations of those hosting the party, it may be a good idea to hire a ballroom, restaurant or similar.
Define the theme
Christmas is by nature a religious and family occasion, a time to strengthen ties within the teams but also to take time to review the year's achievements. The nativity scene is often replaced by Father Christmas with his toy-making elves; the star gives way to the pine tree surrounded by presents. Other popular themes are Winter Wonderland, the Grinch or even a relaxed festive atmosphere with some Christmas accents. The chosen theme should be shared with all guests so that they can be as much in the spirit of the party as possible. The invitations, food and décor should also be in line with the theme.
Choosing the catering
Catering companies are usually quite busy at this time of the year, so it's important to plan and book in advance the staff, the food and the drinks that will be required for your company's Christmas party. Depending on your purpose, the option can be more informal or formal, but always allow people to move freely around the space and socialise with each other. When choosing a menu for a larger, more diversified group, different diet regimes should be taken into account. A spot of cocktail making can be a highlight of the evening, a buffet or a dish with the right plating can make the difference in the reaction of your team member's Christmas party.
Organise activities
Once you have decided on the theme of your party, it's time to plan what to do. We suggest activities that allow interaction and that can show your team how much you care for them. You can also take this opportunity to organise a volunteering initiative with charitable organisations based in the region. These types of activities will encourage team spirit and provide entertainment for all ages.
Controlling the budget
Once you know how many people will be attending, it becomes easier to set a budget for food and decoration. It is now possible to establish the number of dishes to be served, the gifts to be offered, the cost for hiring the venue, furnishing and other items. Events Plan It provides its clients the right options with a detailed and accurate budget.
