Hello my little rays of sunshine! We have to pinch ourselves when we say it too but Christmas is just around the corner (we can hear Santas sleigh bells ringing!) As Christmas Experts, we want to share with you some of our magical secrets, straight from the North Pole, on how to make your Christmas party dazzle.
There's still time (...but not much!)
It may feel like you've only just dusted off your onesie ready for nights in with warm cocoa but Christmas is coming round quicker than Honey G's music career ended. It is true that good venues get booked up fast (some keenos book as early as January) but there's still time to find the perfect venue - you just need to stop being a bah humgbug and act quick! You don't want to end up at the dodgy local pub with pork scratchings for appetisers, sticky carpets and Dave the DJ entertaining you with his 80s karoke selection.
Get out of the office (...it's ok, the handcuffs from your desk have been released)
The office kitchen may seem like a great idea but at 9pm when your blasting Cliff does Christmas from your CD player (forget the luxury of wireless), nervously avoiding eye contact with your boss and that weird guy from IT - you will be wishing you lost your glass slipper than Cinderella ever did!
If budgets don't allow then think outside the box. Try and avoid your usual work area and deck the halls with boughs of joy! Tinsel, twinkling lights and even a reindeer pinata - everything goes at Christmas (and that's why we love it). Our secret top tip is to stock up on mulled wine and heat it up just before your guests arrive. The warmth of the spices will immediately transport your guests to a winter wonderland!
A feast for all (...get mulling like mad)
'Tis the season for mince pies, pigs in blankets, three birds in one and even brussel sprouts (I know for a fact that half of you have just cringed at the thought of the green ball of death). Be generous, indulge and don't do a Karen who frantically shoves Iceland's mini pizzas into the oven five minutes before her guests arrive.
One for all and all for one. Are your guests gluten intolerant? Teetotal? Guests are getting more and more fussy so remember to cater for all. Our top tip is to have a stock of parmesan, eggs and mushrooms in the fridge to help yourself wiggle out of any situation. "Emily, you're a vegetarian? Of course I knew that. I will go get your fritatta" In other words sunshines, a last-minute omelette. Emily was none the wiser!
Make sure your event is full of cheer and hire a Festive Traditional Wooden Cart to serve scrumptious mince pies and mulled wine.
Snap happy (...selfies with the boss are acceptable, we promise)
It really is the most wonderful time of the year and you want to remember it. Capture the moment of your boss wearing a Christmas pudding jumper whilst doing the macarena with Donna from HR. They make for great giggles when sober January kicks in (and even better content for newsletters too!) Just maybe avoid the photo of the Kelly the receptionist who's sat in the corner after one too many fizzes singing the Pogues (and no, we didn't tell her it was non-alcoholic)...
Psst! We still have our advanced Photo Booths to hire. With unlimited print outs and an array of Christmas props, you're sure to capture the memories!
Don't forget the entertainment (...our favourite part!)
Although music is the first thing that springs to mind (hands up if Fairytale of New York is your favourite?!) there's an array of spectacular ideas that will leave you guests asking them to plan their wedding!
Step inside your very own Winter Wonderland, make it a night to remember with our Magic Selfie Mirror, help Santa deliver his presents with our Roll A Ball Reindeer or release your inner banksy with our Digital Graffiti Wall. We understand that the best Christmas party events always start with you and your idea and although we can't promise snow (we wish we could!), we can promise to provide you with everything you need to add some magic and sparkle to your event.
Whatever you do sunshines, have fun, be merry and most importantly - remember to laugh (it's our top secret tip).
