Organising the Perfect Christmas Work Party Guide

The holiday season is upon us, and it's the perfect time to bring some festive cheer to your workplace with a Christmas party. Organising a memorable event can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can create an unforgettable celebration that will boost morale and bring your team closer together. Here are a few simple steps to organise a fantastic Christmas work party that will leave a lasting impression on your colleagues and clients.

 

Step 1: Setting the Date and Budget

The first step in organising a Christmas work party is to set a date that works for most of your team. December is the obvious choice, but early planning can ensure you secure a suitable venue, as these can get booked up quickly during the holiday season.

Simultaneously, establish a budget for the event. The budget will determine the scale and scope of your party, from the venue, to the entertainment, food, and decorations. Be sure to include expenses for invitations, gifts, and any additional expenses that may arise.

 

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Venue

Selecting the right venue is crucial to the success of your corporate Christmas party. Consider the number of attendees and the atmosphere you want to create. Ensure the venue is easily accessible for all attendees. At Canberra Centre you’ll find an array of restaurants to suit every theme. 

 

Carlotta is the newest restaurant to arrive at Canberra Centre. Offering customers a distinctly Australian celebration of Mediterranean flavours and hospitality, crafted especially for Canberra.  Carlotta’s menu encourages shared feasting across an ever-evolving selection of antipasti, handmade pasta, and meat and seafood cooked over coals, with a custom-made wood oven from Naples taking pride of place in the kitchen.

Tucked away from the main dining room, Carlotta’s two private event spaces each offer a warm and vibrant setting for smaller celebrations. These are available to hire separately or in combination, accommodating up to 26 guests in total. Carlotta’s Euro-inspired terrace is also available for al fresco events, hosting up to 35 people. Find out more HERE. 

 

Tiger Lane offers the perfect venue for your Christmas party, with a range of options available.  Looking for vibrant bar setting with a host of Asian cuisines, schedule a trip Tiger Lane, to enjoy a buzzling atmosphere inspired by the hawker centres of Asia, featuring 12 dining outlets and bars, inspired split into different sections reflective of their cusine and country of origin including Japan, South Korea, Southern China to South East Asia. 

 

For a more formal Christmas Party spot, book into the sophisticated Mrs Wang for a venue that won’t disappoint. Your team will adore indulging in delicious banquet style catering, with a modern-Chinese twist. 

COMPA is a venue sure to impress the whole workplace! Led by the incredible Chef Matt Moran, COMPA is an Italian-style steakhouse, featuring some of Australia's best producers including Westholme Wagyu and Brooklyn Valley, as well as produce from the Moran family farm, all cooked on the custom Montague grill. Beyond beef, you'll also find delicious dishes including whole Snowy River trout with preserved lemon & caper burnt butter; and a very decadent cacio e pepe mac and cheese. 

 

INKA have a special festive offering from December 1st to December 31st. Enjoy their Chef’s signature 9-course sharing tasting menu, perfectly crafted to celebrate the season. Indulge in a culinary journey accompanied by a complimentary glass of champagne to toast the festivities—all for just $160 per person.

Looking to host the event in house, organising catering will take the hassle out of the food portion of the event. One cuisine that’s always a crowd pleaser is of course Mexican. Fonda Mexican offer a range of catering packages for groups of 20 or 50 people, as well as smaller options. See their catering menu HERE. 

Their catering boxes will be a crowd favourite, with tortilla crisps, corn ribs and croquettes to empanadas, sliders and taquitos, there’s so many delicious dishes to choose from!  They are also offering free delivery to all Canberra Centre businesses! Simply quote Canberra Centre when enquiring at [email protected] or looking to book a Christmas Function in house enjoy a complimentary frozen cocktail on arrival for all guests when booking a Christmas event for 12+ people and dining from one of their shared-style menus. For large group bookings during November and December, contact us at [email protected] and quote Canberra Centre to redeem this offer.

Soul Origin also offer a range of catering solutions to feed a crowd, with the ability to customise your order to suit your individual needs and budget. 

 

A few of our favourites are the classic slider platter (always a crowd pleaser), or the Grazing platter offering the perfect nibbles platter essential for every event. The team at Soul Origin are also offering 10% off on their catering menu on both pickup and delivery. 

 

Step 3: Theming

Consider giving your party a distinct theme to make it stand out. It could be a winter wonderland, a vintage holiday celebration, or a modern twist on Christmas. The theme will guide your decoration choices, from table settings to costume ideas for attendees to wear. 

 

Step 4: Entertainment and Activities

Entertainment is a vital component of any great corporate party. You could hire a live band, a DJ, or even an artist to keep your guests entertained. Consider setting up a photo moment to encourage interaction and keep the party atmosphere lively.

A popular option is to organize awards to recognise the hard work and achievements of your team over the past year. Giving out bonuses or small gifts can also boost employee morale and create a sense of appreciation.

Looking for a venue that includes entertainment all included? Look no further than Holey Moley, Hijinx Hotel, Kingpin or Dendy Cinemas. 

Hijinx Hotel & Holey Moley are the perfect spot for some competitive office fun! Offering a wide range of packages including food, drinks and entertainment you’re able to ‘build your own’ party to suit the team requirements.  Holey Moley will have the team making memories as they put through the interactive causes, whilst Hijinx Hotel will offer an immersive experience like no other, with everyone loving a little intrigue and puzzle-solving this venue will keep the whole office enthralled, find out more HERE. 

 

 

This time of year can be particularly challenging, making sure everything is finished and filed away before the end of the year.  For all the long hours and hard work put in, you and your team deserve the opportunity to have some well-deserved fun!  At Kingpin Canberra, fun is within reach with in house catering, bar service, and activities to please the team.  Activities include Bowling, Karaoke, Escape Rooms, Arcade, and our newest addition of Bullseye Darts!  Celebration packages start at $50 per person and the Kingpin Events Team can make their recommendation for how best to unlock your desired FUN this festive, with End of Year events starting from just $29 per person find out more HERE. 

 

Dendy Cinemas can accommodate small groups of ten up to large groups of 250+ people for your Christmas party, with the ability to tailor-make your perfect package.  Offering package options with a range of food and beverage options. The Premium Lounge Cinemas allow a more exclusive private lounge setting with a gourmet menu. Find out more HERE. 

 

Step 5: Invitations and RSVPs

Send out invitations well in advance to ensure a good turnout. You can go with traditional printed invitations or use digital options like email or social media. Be sure to include all the necessary details, including the date, time, venue, dress code, and any special instructions (eg. Secret Santa details). 

Step 6: Gifts and Party Favors

Consider providing small gifts or party favours for your guests. These can be tailored to the individual and are a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for your team's hard work. Popular options include branded holiday gift sets, or bottles of wine. From gift ideas for your boss, clients to Secret Santa gifts, see HERE. 

Looking to place a large corporate order the team at Godiva are your go-too, gift the wonder this Christmas with Godiva. Decadent and delicious, sample your guests and clients with limited-edition Christmas pralines and truffles this year. Featuring milk chocolate Santa, white chocolate Penguins and milk chocolate Snowman, the Godiva praline & truffles range can be organised in bulk for catering or across 6-, 12-, 20- and 30-piece gift boxes. Corporate rates apply. Please contact [email protected] for exclusive rates.

Looking for a gift everyone will love, give the gift of choice with a Gift Card. 

Canberra Centre Gift Cards offer the gift of choice to suit any recipient. With Gift Cards available from $20 to $500, the Customer Service Team (located on Level 1 near H&M), are also well adapt are organising group orders. Find out more HERE. 

Organising a Christmas corporate party is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season and show your team how much you value their hard work and dedication. With careful planning, a well-defined budget, and attention to detail, you can create a memorable event that brings joy and festive spirit to your workplace. Remember, the key to a successful Christmas party is creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere that encourages team bonding and camaraderie. So, let the festivities begin, and may your Christmas corporate party be a resounding success!