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Corporate Christmas Venues

Date Posted: 15/06/2016 5:10:19 PM
Posted By: Tara Connolly

Christmas Party Ideas, Interesting Venues for 2016

Do you think it’s too early to start planning your corporate Christmas Party? Think again! Most companies will already have booked their venues after their previous Christmas party and all of the details of the event will be roughly planned.

Finding it hard to start? We have a few pointers for another awesome Christmas party for you and your staff. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram account for more inspiration.

 

Never too early for a celebration #events #corporateevents #catering #champagne #anmm

A photo posted by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on

 

Seal the deal with your caterer

Catering requires planning. Book your caterer before it gets busy. Remember Christmas party month is one of the busiest months for caterers. Booking in too late will make things difficult and you’ll end up with food no one wants. Plus, there are plenty of questions that need to be asked first.

When choosing a caterer, you should have some idea of what you want. Which menu style would you want? What kind of service would you choose? Will it be a cocktail party or a sit-down meal?

 

We love hosting clients for a catch up #events #clients #sydneycatering #newbeginnings

A photo posted by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on

 

Now, even if you have this entire glorious scenario mapped out in your mind, it is better to ask your caterer the questions. Going over your ideas with your service providers will help get you the best advice and the best outcome. Sign a contract only if you think everything is in place and you are satisfied.

Book an interesting venue

Ask your caterer for venue recommendations if you’re having trouble finding a place that works. They know the difference between a good venue and a great venue, and they know what will work best for your type of event. We would suggest our newest addition to our long list of awesome event venues - Hyde Park Barracks.

Hyde Park Barracks

Hyde Park Barracks can seat 350 - 1500 people depending on the type of event you have in mind. Sit down dinners or parties may accommodate 350 while a fun cocktail party in Hyde Park Barracks can accommodate up to 1000.

This venue has a pop up marquee courtyard, customised dance floor and twilight garden. Not to mention it’s a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site used to house convicts back in the 19th century. A good conversation starter, right?

Hyde Park Barracks

Some other venue ideas for your corporate Christmas party include:

Harbour 220 Afternoon

Plan the event!

A good exercise to do during the planning stages is to imagine the event in your mind and point out any issues or possible risks. This way you can create contingency plans before anything goes wrong.

Aside from the catering and the venue, you will also need to plan invitations. Since this is a corporate party, a simple email newsletter or e-invite to all staff is the best way to do it.

It’s time to start planning for that special once-a-year event and bring together your staff for a fantastic celebration to remember.


Thinking about a Christmas dinner for you and your staff? Click on the banner below to see our  fantastic plated menu which you could enjoy at one of our venues.

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Planning your 2016 Office Christmas Party

Date Posted: 12/02/2016 8:59:00 AM
Posted By: Tara Connolly

'Tis the Season to be Prepared

 Maritime Museum event 2

If you think it’s too early to be planning your end-of-year office Christmas party then you’re wrong! The holidays may be 10 months away but now is the best time to start thinking about it and booking everything in. But be warned: other companies are doing the same thing, so book your catering and venues as soon as possible! The earlier you start to plan for your corporate Christmas party, the more options will be available to you.

Plan now and you’ll avoid these mini-disasters:

  • Last-minute preparations
  • Holding the party at the office, where there might not be enough room
  • Bad entertainment
  • Inadequate food 

It’s all about the feeling!

Ask your coworkers what they thought about 2015’s Christmas party. Chances are there were some things they loved and some things they think could be changed. Use their feedback as a jumping off point for planning the 2016 party.

What makes your Christmas party different from all other parties your employees have attended? Keep in mind no amount of good music or skilled acrobatic entertainment can hide bad food or a wrong choice of venue. Everything needs to be up to standard to create an overall successful feeling.

This feeling can be achieved by forging connections that speak to the culture of your company and employees. For example, a geeky theme for an IT or web company could be a huge hit. If the entertainment and service reflect the desires of the company and workers, you can expect good feedback after the event.

Planning

Fast-forward to December - do you see yourself stress free and already enjoying the party or running around at the last minute to pull everything together? If it’s the former, well done! That means you’ve decided to start planning now. Here are some tips to get the ball rolling:

1. Choose the date

Choose a date that won’t interfere with family celebrations or vacations. The date is perhaps the most important thing to get right, as you’ll want as many employees as possible to make it to the event.You’ll also be making plenty of calls too to the venue provider, the caterer, the entertainer and to other miscellaneous event providers. You’ll need to give these contacts a date for your party so they can plan accordingly.

2. Get out of the office, book the venue

The office is first and foremost a working environment. If possible, book a trendy venue for the party. Your workers should feel like they are part of something special, not just having drinks at the office. Remember that venues book fast, so decide now and have it marked for your event. Choose one that is accessible, big enough to accommodate all of you and one that suits your party of choice.Since you’re booking early, there is a chance you will be getting a discount on your venue and the facilities it offers.

3. Choose an impressive menu

Impressive does not mean expensive. Your caterer can still create interesting food without you going over the budget.

You can design your menu based on the party theme. Other guests would appreciate different food stations while food trucks can also be a hit. Of course take into consideration dietary and health requirements of your guests. Most caterers will adjust to these requirements.

Download examples from our extensive range of menu options.

4. Don’t forget the drinks

It’s a Christmas party; people will be hoping to unwind and have fun. Diversify your bar offerings or choose one signature cocktail to stay within budget. Check out our cocktail and refreshments menus for some thirst-quenching ideas.

5. Set the mood 

Make it festive with a hint of professionalism. Use lighting to create the kind of mood you want. Your playlist could be a mix of traditional holiday songs and popular music. You can opt for a live band or use the sound system.

Of course no event is easy to put together and it will probably take you more than 5 steps. That’s why now is the best time to start if you are hoping for a memorable corporate Christmas party in 2016.

The Perfect Venue

The venue is one of the most important aspects of your Christmas party and your choice will depend on how many guests are attending your event and what kind of event it will be.

Maritime Museum event 3

If your Christmas do is going to be a cocktail event where guests can stand up and mingle, these venues might suit (follow links for more info):

If you have any enquiries about our menus, venues or planning your 2016 Christmas party, contact us here.

Click  on the banner below to access our Shared  menu for some refreshing ideas for your Christmas party.

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