Illuminated Christmas tree beneath a stunning chandelier.

Is it too early to talk about Christmas Party Planning?

With the shops already filled with Christmas gifts and treats and the chill in the air, whether we are ready to accept it or not, December is not far away at all!

It may feel too early to begin Christmas party planning, but it would be wise to get preparations underway sooner rather than later, at the very least you need to decide the date and what kind of party you’re ongoing to have. This will then determine how long you have, and which party options are most viable for you to choose from.

If you’re looking for some support with any aspect of party planning, get in touch with one of our experienced event managers here at PenniBlack. However, here are some pointers to get you started.

Date & Budget

Calendar focussed on Christmas dates with pen.

One of your very first tasks will be setting the date for your Christmas bash. The Christmas period is a busy one for many in terms of social events, so to ensure most of your workforce can make it, do get this date in the diary as soon as possible.

You’ll also need to know what budget you will be working to as this will play a huge part in determining what you can and can’t do for your Christmas party.

Event Type

Reception champagne glasses with guests in the background.

Will this be an evening affair, during work hours or of course both? Does it need to be local or does your budget include overnight accommodation? Do you have the budget for a bespoke event, or will this need to be more of an informal dinner at a local restaurant?

Look into all your options, what type of Christmas dinner party ideas can you afford within your budget?

Themes

Christmas theme with wood, branches, cinnamon, envelopes and parcel tied with string.

Regardless of what type of party you’re organising, a Christmas party works best with some sort of theme, colours, decorations, and more, all to inspire a sense of bonhomie and camaraderie.

Your ultimate goal with any theme should be to ignite that wonderful festive feeling and allow your guests to relax, connect and have fun.

Venue

Once you have the above in place, you’ll be in a strong position to decide where your party will be held.

If you’re going for a bespoke event, you’ll need to look for a suitable venue to accommodate your workforce and set the scene for a party to remember.

Always ensure you enquire to your chosen venues as early as possible as prime dates get booked up in advance.

Catering

Figgy pudding drumsticks with a custard dip drum by PenniBlack.

Selecting the food for your party needs to take careful consideration. Obviously, if you’ve chosen a simple meal in a restaurant then the catering will come with this.

However, if you’re designing a bespoke event, adding your own choice of Christmas party catering can really bring it to life, with creative and unique menus to really wow your guests.

Entertainment

You’ll want to include some sort of entertainment in your party. Whether that’s some party games, a live band or DJ for music and dancing, or something more elaborate.

Choose what you think will best suit the size and scale of your event.