How to plan the ultimate Christmas party with De Vere
Posted on 5 December 2019
Arranging a Christmas party can be fun and enjoyable, but with the festive season being so busy, you may not have as much time as you would like to arrange the ultimate celebration for your team. With the festive season fast approaching, the events team at De Vere, a collection of historic mansion house estates, has shared its top tips to help you arrange the ultimate Christmas party.
Where and when?
Organising a Christmas party can seem daunting, but it’s well worth the effort. According to Christmas Connections, employers have seen a 31% rise in efficiency from their employees when they have an event to look forward to. Research by Keele University also shows that there is long-term value in arranging a Christmas party for your employees, as whether your budget is big or small, it is an opportunity to motivate your team and reward them for their input throughout the year.
If you’ve left it late and end of the week dates are already fully booked at your favoured venue, consider holding your party earlier in the week, or even postpone it until the new year to help banish those January blues. Choose a venue with a dedicated Christmas party coordinator who will be able to solve all of your Christmas party worries, and a venue which is a suitable size for your team, fits your budget, and has plenty of transport links for attendees to get to and from the venue. Alternatively, consider a venue which has bedrooms, so your guests don’t need to worry about leaving the party to get the last train.
De Vere Beaumont Estate makes arranging a Christmas event easy as the venue’s magnificent 19th-century chapel needs little to no styling. The stunning stained-glass windows and ornate painted ceiling provide a beautiful backdrop for a Christmas party to remember and the hotel also offers over 400 stylish modern bedrooms for your guests.
Alternatively, De Vere has several hotels and mansion houses set within acres of parkland where you can host Christmas parties outdoors in the warmth and comfort of a heated marquee. However, if you want nature to be the backdrop, but you don’t want to venture outdoors, then The Mallard Suite at De Vere Cotswold Water Park boasts floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views of the private lake. Once the night comes to an end, your guests can just walk upstairs to the luxury of their own room.
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, an iconic event venue located in Covent Garden, offers over 30 grand and unique spaces for small and large groups. The elegant Grand Hall makes for an impressive space, and its unique features of arched ornate ceilings, beautiful wood-panelling and dramatic chandeliers mean you can keep the decorations to a minimum.
Picking a theme
Adding a theme to your party can make your event more memorable, especially if integrated throughout every aspect of the night, from dress code to drinks menu. If the traditional themes like winter wonderland or masquerade are too obvious, you can go against the grain with quirky themes from tropical paradise to Nightmare Before Christmas.
It’s useful to consider your theme when choosing a venue to ensure that they fit well together. For example, De Vere Selsdon Estate has historic rooms which would make for the perfect setting for a winter murder mystery themed celebration, or The Grand Hall at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms would be an ideal venue for a more traditional winter masquerade.
If you are looking to arrange a Christmas party without the hassle of arranging decorations, then less is always more with the De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre, as the impressive venue needs little decoration to create a festive ambience. The large venue offers a glass atrium overlooking the De Vere Orchard Hotel, a stylish, eco-friendly hotel set in 330 acres of landscaped parkland near Nottingham, which looks spectacular at night when fully-illuminated.
“Consider your lighting carefully as it is a cost-effective way to transform a room and create a real atmosphere without the need for heavy decorations. Event organisers can choose any colour to light up the atrium, and to add a personal touch or theme to the party, logos can be projected on to the De Vere Orchard Hotel for everyone to see on arrival,” suggests Laura Ellaby-Howard, Sales Executive for De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre.
A festive feast
The food is an integral part of any party, and especially at Christmas time. De Vere offers a variety of Christmas menus for all to enjoy, from classic Christmas canapés of pigs in blankets and salmon and cream cheese blinis, to a festive sit-down meal with unique menu choices which are sure to ‘wow’ your guests.
“When it comes to drinks, if you want to go for something more on-trend compared to the obvious mulled wine or Prosecco, offer guests a winter gin cocktail such as a simple winter G&T with spiced syrup, or a mulled gin cocktail made with sloe gin,” recommends Jon-Paul, Reed, Group Food & Beverage Director at De Vere.
De Vere’s packages are perfect for those who don’t want to have to choose one set menu for their party, with options to suit all preferences and dietary requirements. De Vere Orchard Hotel offers the ultimate fuss-free private Christmas party package, including a festive cocktail on arrival, a traditional three-course meal with all the trimmings, followed by a night of music and dancing.
Creating an ambience
Creating the perfect ambience is important when throwing a magical Christmas party. While it may be tempting to opt for the biggest Christmas tree you can get your hands on, keep it simple by adding festive flower arrangements and well-placed candles around the room. De Vere’s dedicated events team will be on hand to make any tweaks needed to give the space your desired feel, whether this be by strategically placing furniture or altering lighting to make the space feel warmer and more intimate.
Don’t forget the music to get your guests into the festive spirit. Hire a DJ, musician or live band, or create a Christmas playlist of all your favourite songs. Traditional Christmas tracks aren’t for everyone, so don’t feel you have to stick to the biggest Christmas hits for your party.
Join a joiner party
If throwing your own party isn’t right for you or is out of your budget, a joiner party can be the perfect middle ground. Host Sophie Mercer at De Vere Cotswold Water Park said: “If you are limited on time to arrange a Christmas party, then we recommend attending a joiner party where you can host the perfect Christmas party without the stress of planning it. We believe that the fun of a joiner party is the atmosphere that other people bring to the party. End the evening on the dancefloor with everyone and sing along to your favourite Christmas tunes.”
Christmas can be a stressful time - research by Peldon Rose shows that 54% of employees say they are stressed on the lead up to Christmas. A Christmas party can be the perfect way to allow your team to relax and unwind, as the research also found that 65% of UK workers said they enjoy attending their annual Christmas party.
So, avoid the stress this Christmas. Arrange a night for everyone to let their hair down, and with De Vere’s dedicated events team on hand to share the planning process with you, right down to the small details, throwing a festive party can be easy. Whether you decide to go for a joiner party or have a winter wonderland themed event, held in December or January, ensure you arrange a night that your employees won’t forget, boost morale and end the year on a high.
To learn more about De Vere’s event spaces, visit here
