It’s that time of year where managers remember that Christmas is right around the corner! But don’t worry. If that’s you, we have the tips that will make sure your work Christmas party is a raging success.
Book In Advance
There’s nothing worse than trying to find a venue by November. If you’re smart, you’ll book a venue today. This means you secure your spot at a great venue, and can get people thinking early about keeping the date free.
It’s also a great motivational factor for your workplace. Workers always love chatting about what they’ll wear and how much fun it’s going to be. So if your workplace is feeling the end of year crunch, let your workers know that their end of year reward is already booked.
Find A Function-Friendly Venue
You might have your favourite restaurant. But how terrible would it be if you found out that they don’t allow large group bookings? That’s why it’s important to find somewhere that caters for bigger functions.
First, you need to know your potential number of attendees. Start with the total number of employees at your workplace. Then consider whether you will also have plus ones. Assume that everyone will be coming – this way, you avoid underestimating your number.
If you have more than about a dozen employees, running a function can be difficult. That’s where it’s best to find a venue that has function coordinators available to help you plan your event.
Weather can also play a role in where your function is held. Sure, if it’s December, it should be nice. But Sydney weather can be unpredictable at the best of times! So you want a venue that has undercover areas and air-conditioning available. Comfortable guests are happy guests – no one likes sweat patches or wet feet.
Choose Fantastic Food
In Sydney, food is everything! We like our good food, and no event is complete without it. So make sure that you know how to keep your guests well-fed.
Ideally, you’ll find a venue that includes delicious food to offer at your work Christmas party. Venues that are used to catering to groups are a great choice, as they can produce finger food or sit-down meals, depending on your needs.
How do you know what type of food to serve? It depends on a few factors. If you have a big group, finger food options are more affordable and allow for more socialising. If your team is on the smaller side, a sit-down meal might be more suitable.
Remember, whether you self-cater or use in-house catering, you need to make sure there’s something for everyone. Ask your attendees in advance if there are dietary requirements. Guests feel good when they know that their needs are covered.
You might need to offer gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and/or vegan options. If you use in-house catering, simply pass these requirements onto the venue team in advance.
Know Your Alcohol Options
Do you know whether you want a dry event, an open bar, or a BYO? Whichever way you go, you need to know that the venue is suitable for your needs.
If you are including alcohol in your work Christmas party, security may become a consideration. This is something to bring up with the venue function coordinator if available. If not, you may need to bring in a security guard or two for the event. They will make sure everyone stays safe and leaves safely.
If you decide to keep the experience alcohol-free, make sure this is clearly communicated to guests. Then ensure that there are plenty of delicious alcohol-free drink options.
Choose A Real Experience
The real ‘blah’ work Christmas parties are the parties that just mish-mash things together. If the food’s average, the venue is ok and the tunes are half-hearted, your guests will be yawning. Instead, you want to make the event a real experience.
That’s where a venue function coordinator really shines. A comfortable, inviting area needs to be blended with quality food, appropriate music and professional, friendly venue staff. Your guests want time to socialise, but also an opportunity to sit and enjoy.
Add in a couple of giveaways, awards or fun competitions, and you have a winning formula for a great work Christmas party.
So have a look at your plans for the event. Are you going through the motions – or are you creating a truly enjoyable experience?
Do You Need To Throw An Amazing Work Christmas Party?
At Zaitoune, we have everything you need to have a great work function at any time of year! Our venue function coordinators can answer any questions you have about your special occasion.
We serve delicious Mediterranean and Lebanese food that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Our menus can be customised to suit your needs. We can also offer food that suits many dietary requirements upon request.
Our restaurant is well-known for its successful functions. We’re able to cater for large events with up to 100 function guests, but small functions are also more than welcome.
No matter what drinks options you want for your event, we can help. Zaitoune serves alcohol within the restaurant. We can also accommodate BYO or arrange for tasty non-alcoholic beverages like our frappes, milkshakes and rosewater lemonade.
Most importantly, our Zaitoune family wants your function to be a success! So our staff will be on hand ready to help you have an amazing time.
Ready to book your work Christmas party at Zaitoune? Simply fill in our easy function form, and we’ll be in touch to organise your event.
