“Christmas?!” we hear you cry – “But its still only August for goodness sake, we don’t want to think about Christmas, please no, not until at least November!”
Well we’re sorry – you are right – it is only August, but soon it will be September, and the countdown to Christmas will begin in earnest, and as soon as Halloween decorations come down – it will be Christmas all the way! Workplaces up and down the country will be preparing to don paper hats and drink copious amounts at the work Christmas do. But as fun as that sounds, it’s a prospect that can fill the organiser with utter dread. But the Christmas party should not be something to fear or put off until the last minute, it should be embraced and approached with excitement. This is more than just an excuse to get all your colleagues sozzled for the night, it can play a big part in shaping the entire culture of your company.
The importance of the Christmas party
First off, get out of the mindset that this is ‘just the Christmas party’. It’s something that many staff will talk about for weeks before and for weeks afterwards. It can play a big part in shaping how your business is viewed by its employees and can affect how people feel about their overall experience of working there. First and foremost, you should think of the festivities as a ‘thank-you’ to your staff. This is your chance to show your gratitude for 12 months of hard work from your dedicated employees.
Can you afford not to have an office Christmas party?
With many businesses looking to cut costs, it is little surprise that Christmas parties are one of the first things to go, being seen as an extravagance that we can do without. But you still need to invest in your staff to keep a business running successfully and Christmas is the one time of year where a staff party is pretty much expected. It can prove to be a fantastic bonding experience and one of the only times that you may get members of teams from different departments socialising with each other. From interns to company directors, it’s a chance for everyone to relax and mingle and it is at events like these where company loyalty is built. Treat your staff well now and they are the ones who will help your business flourish.
When should you start planning your Christmas party?
No matter how organised you think you are, there’s always someone else out there who is one step ahead. We’ve already had 8 confirmed bookings at Beaufort House, the perfect office Christmas party venue in Chelsea, and enquiries are coming in thick and fast. Leaving it late is, of course, what many of us do and we don’t want to panic you, but you really do gain a lot from planning ahead. Last minute deals aren’t quite as common as you might hope, so the real way to make financial savings is to book as early as possible, you’ve got more scope for negotiating, plus, you’ll be much more likely to secure your preferred date. And, as with organising events of any size, giving yourself plenty of time to get everything you needed in place will seriously reduce the amount of stress involved.
How to make the most of your own Christmas party
While grand ideas of lavish parties, themed events, entertainment and free booze are absolutely fantastic, even if you really don’t have the budget to pay for much, it doesn’t mean your team should miss out entirely. Something as simple as arranging drinks and nibbles, still a great way to get everyone together to toast the festive season. We can do it all here at The House.
Get into the spirit of things
Once you’ve made the decision to go ahead with Christmas celebrations for your workplace, you might as well make the most of it. No matter the budget or scale of your party, one of the key ingredients here is “Christmas spirit”. If you’re going to do it, do it properly, and that means entering into the spirit of the season with enthusiasm. This involves making the effort to attend, doing your best to talk to as many colleagues as possible, lending a hand wherever you can – and, whatever you do, don’t shy away from the fancy dress theme. Christmas is the best excuse we ever get for a party, so make sure you make the most of it. It’s a simple touch that your workforce will really appreciate.
To book the perfect Chelsea Christmas Party venue contact our dedicated Events Team on 020 7352 2828 or email events@beauforthousechelsea.com, and to download our Christmas Brochure click HERE.