Before we know it spring will arrive in Nelson, and as soon as the evenings get lighter, it will be time to begin planning your work Christmas function.
If you’re in charge of organising your work’s Christmas bash, we thought we’d share our six-step guide to help you plan a perfect party!
How to plan your Christmas function:
1: Save the date:
It’s literally never too early to make sure the whole office know the date of the Christmas bash. Remember there’s stiff competition for Friday and Saturday nights, as so many events are planned around the festive season. With that in mind, it’s worth sending out a ‘save the date’ email to your work team.
2: Set your budget:
It’s time to get busy with the spreadsheet. You’ll need to determine whether the boss is going to treat everybody, or whether there is an expectation that everyone will need to chip in. Sometimes, an employer is happy to pay for employees but might ask that partners pay separately. Whatever you agree with your boss, be sure to include all your outgoings such as Christmas function venue hire, catering and entertainment in your spreadsheet, so you don’t get any nasty post-party surprises.
3: Select your Christmas function venue:
Let’s be honest… Nobody really wants the office party at the actual office! But event venues get booked up leading up to the festive season. So, be the early bird and catch the worm. It’s also worth considering a site that can offer several function room options. That way, if your guest list grows, you may be able to upgrade to a larger room. At Beachside Nelson, we have seven different function rooms to choose from.
4: Festive food and drink:
Before you decide on the catering, you’ll need to think about the type of Christmas party you’re having. Will it be a sit-down meal? If it is, you’ll find that many Christmas function venues will offer special festive menus, (stay tuned for ours). Or, you might prefer something more casual. If it’s a relaxed Christmas do then one of our famous grazing tables is just the job!
If you’re the boss, we have one top tip though… Don’t skimp on the food and drink. This is an excellent opportunity for you to show your appreciation for the hard work your staff have put in over the year.
5: To theme or not to theme?
That is the question! Technically, of course, the theme for a Christmas party is ‘Festive’! This means everyone comes dressed in their party frocks with a little glitz and glamour. But you could always try a fun, creative theme.
How about Beach Party, White Christmas (where everyone wears white), Christmas Sweater (we promise we’ll crank up the air-conditioning) or a Great Gatsby roaring 20s party?
6: Gather your team:
Even if you want to win employee of the year award, it’s tricky to organise a stellar event by yourself. So be sure to outsource some of the work, like organising the Secret Santa or finding the perfect party playlist.
At Beachside Nelson we are already taking bookings for Christmas functions, so, if you have a date in mind, contact us to reserve your venue space.