The stress of organising a Christmas party for your staff can get a little overwhelming. Questions like is anyone actually going to turn up? Have I ordered enough food? Have I chosen the right venue? are probably already keeping you up at night. Fear not, I have put together my top tips for creating the best Christmas party.
By now you will have booked the venue and sent out invitations (if not don’t panic, we still have availability at 41PP), so now it’s down to the small, yet essential, details to make this party a night to remember for all the right reasons.
Here are my top tips:
1. Transport - To avoid that tumble weed moment when your boss arrives on their tod and unleashes their awkward side step moves on the dance floor, you will want to ensure the majority of guests arrive at the same time. Pre-book taxis for a discounted rate and organise a meeting point where your colleagues can team up and bundle in a cab.
2. First impressions - These are often the only ones that are remembered. Ensure there are complementary cocktails or mulled wine on arrival and spruce up the outside of the venue by projecting your company logo on the wall. Make your colleagues feel like movie stars by hiring a red carpet and photographer - the photographs make a great keepsake and will hang on your office pin board for years to come.
3. Pamper hour - Whilst the men rush to the bar, the ladies first stop is always the rest rooms. If your party follows on from a day at work, the chances are most guests will have been applying their make up in the taxi, so while the venue will have taken care of the essentials treat your guests to a hamper of scents and balms by the basin to ensure they hit the dance floor feeling fresh. (P.S don’t forget the boys – you know how much Dan from IT likes his CK1)
4. Canapés and cocktails - After their arrival cocktail, treat your guests to some festive canapés. Be playful with your selection to avoid “canapé déjà-vu” from every other festive reception your guests have been to. 41 Portland Place's Chef Will has cleverly created a ‘Canapéculiar’ menu which pairs unusual ingredients to entice and surprise guests. Why not try the scallop and passion fruit or dark chocolate mousse with fried shallot. Whatever your selection, ensure they are presented in a way that will ‘wow’ your guests to create a talking point. If in doubt choose British classics – mini fish and chips, roast beef and mini Yorkshire puddings and sausage and mash - a crowd pleaser every time!
5. Let me entertain you! - While the main entertainment might be a DJ or band, you will want to keep your guests occupied from the moment they arrive. You can get great last minute deals with entertainers so why not book a magician or mobile masseuse to work the crowd before the dance floor fills up.
6. The main event - Once the canapés have done their rounds hungry Harry from facilities will start to stare in desperation at every passing waiter. Try something different to the usual finger buffet and opt for a range of food stalls. They are a great way to please a crowd and allow guests to pick and choose when and what they would like to eat. Popular food stalls at 41PP include risotto stations, teriyaki salmon stalls and ice cream parlours.
7. A moment of reflection - Christmas parties are a time to celebrate the achievements of the past year and let your hair down with colleagues. Don’t forget to ask your CEO if he would like to say a few words of praise and present awards for achievements throughout the year, and be sure to include a few funny ones to keep it light hearted.
8. Relax! - It’s your Christmas party as well! Leave the stress at the door and let your Events Manager to do what they do best... so grab the girls and strike a pose in that photobooth!
9. Carriages - Pre-book a handful of taxis for closing time and send your guests on their way with a bottle of chilled water, a slice of Christmas cake and some Berrocca - they will thank you in the morning.
10. The morning after - Sweet talk your bosses into a 10am start the next day and greet your colleagues with freshly brewed coffee and bacon sarnie.
Merry Christmas!
