The leaves have started to turn and if you’re in charge of organising your office Christmas party it’s time to get planning. Especially as Christmas 2020 was definitely one to forget!
Now staff are returning to offices, after months interacting via Zoom, this really is the year to throw a party to remember. One that will motivate everyone for the coming year, help them bond as a team and remind them why they love their jobs and the company they work for. Most importantly, it’s the perfect way to say thanks after a difficult year, one that may well have seen staff furloughed, working from home, homeschooling and more.
So, let’s party!
The best venues will get booked up early, particularly this year, and you don’t want to be left serving warm beer in the local scout hut. So, read on for our top 10 Christmas party ideas for a fabulous do that your colleagues and your boss will love…
1. Keep it local
A local restaurant can be the ideal choice for an informal festive do, especially for smaller companies. The food and drink will be sorted and you can also put a tab behind the bar, for those who want to stay a little later. This option is cosy, informal, easy to get to and also easy on the budget!
2. A private sit down dinner
Some of your staff may still be feeling nervous about returning to work and socialising. So, keep everyone comfortable by hiring a private room where they will only be mixing with colleagues. Glaziers Hall’s London Bridge Arches provides a stunning space for exactly this type of event. Featuring the exposed arches of Sir John Rennie’s London Bridge, the newly created underground event space showcases three restored Georgian brick arches, an original York stone floor and a bespoke wine cellar as a backdrop. It’s a heritage setting for dinners or wine tastings, with a private entrance and reception area. Add in great food and a wide selection of drinks and cocktails and you’re guaranteed to end the year in style!
3. Take in a show
Sometimes it’s easier to leave the entertaining to someone else and book tables at an organised event, such as a comedy show, cabaret, circus or tribute act. This has all the perks of a larger, more expensive event, including food and entertainment, but should be much simpler to organise. This is an ideal choice for small businesses with some Christmas budget to spare.
4. Relaxed food, drinks and dancing
Fancy something a little more informal? Then a laid-back party with a buffet, disco and drinks will be popular with all the staff. The spectacular views of the City and the River Thames from The River Room at Glazier’s Hall offer real wow factor to get your party started. It’s also the perfect blank canvas for whatever kind of party or entertainment you would like and ideal for dancing, cabaret acts or a band. Centrally located on the South Bank, it’s close to all major tube and train networks, so getting there and getting home will be a breeze too.
5. Get sporty
An activity is a great way to break the ice and get the conversation going, and who doesn’t love a little bit of friendly competition? There are numerous venues set up to cater for this and indoor golf, such as Urban Golf or Swingers, is always popular. If golf isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, there’s also ping pong, paintball, bowling and even darts! If you already have a venue in mind, you could arrange your own race night instead, with fun money and prizes.
6. Crafty devils
A craft activity is a great choice if you’re looking for something a little less competitive. Why not consider chocolate making, creating Christmas wreaths or a cocktail masterclass, followed by dinner and drinks?
7. Life is a cabaret…
A cabaret club offers a real night to remember, so check out the dinner and entertainment packages available at venues such as The London Cabaret Club or Crazy Coqs at The Brasserie Zedel. Alternatively, you can hire cabaret performers to come to your venue to dazzle you with singing, dancing, acrobatics and more.
8. A hybrid event
The dreaded C word hasn’t gone away this year, as much as would all like to forget about the pandemic. So, if you have some staff still working from home or those who feel uncomfortable heading out for a night on the town, then Glazier’s Hall has the perfect solution. We’re the experts when it comes to staging ‘hybrid events’, where you gather some of your team together in person alongside others who join through a streaming platform. Our clever AV team will manage all aspects from the cameras to the hosting platform, so you and your staff can relax and enjoy yourselves – wherever you are!
9. Christmas with a view
Now, if you think your staff deserve a real treat, then a room with an outstanding view is something that will keep them motivated well into the new year. Shangri-La at The Shard, Landing 42 and Sky Garden are just a few of the capital’s amazing sky high restaurants with views to die for. Your team will thank you but your Head of Finance might not!
10. Finally, try something a little different…
If your team like a challenge, an experience or are just game for a laugh there are plenty of quirky options that will really give them a night to remember. Queens: Skate, Dine, Bowl offers a unique mix of ice skating, bowling, curling and retro arcades to keep everyone happy. Or how about donning your leg warmers for a roller disco instead? If you think your colleagues would enjoy trying to take down a futuristic, dystopian dictatorship then The Grid could be the one for you. As an added bonus there are also cocktails while you’re saving the world! Alternatively, Hidden City Hunts offers text-based scavenger trails around London’s streets, solving cryptic riddles and tracking everyone’s progress via a live leaderboard. But, if that all sound like hard work, why not let your team kick back with a shot of whiskey as they travel back in time to the Wild West. Bring your own liquor and become part of the story at the Moonshine Saloon, where you can rub shoulders with the locals, try your luck at cards and unleash your inner outlaw!
For more information about how Glaziers Hall can help you have a great Christmas party, give us a call on 020 7403 3300 or click here to email us or here to complete a contact form.