So you’re in charge of the office Christmas party this year? No pressure – just your boss and everyone you work with judging you.
At Hidden City Secrets, we are the king of planning parties and picking the perfect venue, so follow our guide on how to host a headache free Christmas party.
Tip 1 – Start Planning
Let’s make this easy and break it down.
Step one: read this article
Step two: pick a date and get it into everyone’s calendars ASAP! Christmas venues book up fast and if you have a large team, it can be hard to get everyone together on the same day (seriously, get onto this right now).
Step three: Find out your budget. The amount of cash you have to splash will impact on the type of Christmas party you organise, so know your budget and ask for a little bit extra earlier if you need it.
Tip 2 – Get Out of the Office!
The point of a Christmas party is to reward the staff! So take them out of the office and somewhere special.
The earlier you book the venue, the better – unsurprisingly, good venues go quickly and you don’t want the dodgy local pub to be your only option.
The hardest part is identifying a venue that isn’t booked out, within budget and accessible for your guests. Luckily you have us.
Hidden City Secrets has done your research for you! Check out our list of the most impressive Christmas party venues in Melbourne [CLICK HERE].
Tip 3 – Make it Special
If your office is the type to dress up, then go for it! Nothing gets people out of the work rut than putting on their Sunday best (or worse).
The best thing you can do is change it up from year to year. No matter how fun last year’s Christmas party was, some staff will find it boring if you do it again. This can be as simple as breaking with tradition and hosting a daytime Christmas party instead of an evening affair.
Tip 4 – Feed the Masses
The most important part of any party – the food.
Think about how you want the food to be served? Do you want a formal, sit-down meal or a buffet-style event? Whatever you’re after, we recommend you insist on a menu tasting – it’s basically a delicious excuse to leave the office for lunch.
But remember, there is nothing worse than an under-catered party. We’ve all been there, ghosting your host to pick up a kebab on the UBER ride home.
Tip 5 – Booze
Ah, a dangerous topic …
Whatever your budget, your venue will have a range of packages to satisfy your thirst and put you at ease about possibly maxing out the company credit card on Jäger bombs. We speak from experience here.
Our tip, organise a special cocktail on arrival. Match it to your theme, or ask your venue what their speciality drink is – it’s guaranteed to be good.
Tip 6 – Have Someone Else Manage the Event
The perk of having your Christmas party at an offsite venue means that someone else is responsible for the nitty-gritty. Take advantage of the expert event team at your venue, it’s included in the cost, and then you can sit back and enjoy the event. You earned it!
Need to find a venue? Check out our list of the Most Impressive Christmas Party Venues in Melbourne [CLICK HERE].
By Mel Campbell
