A memorable Christmas party is the perfect way to wrap up a busy year and celebrate your achievements as a team. And with the festive season now only a few short months away, it’s time to start planning an unforgettable end-of-year celebration!
We’ve been lucky enough to work on some pretty special Christmas party events on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Byron Bay over the years, from intimate long lunches to poolside cocktail parties and gala dinners. If you’ve been tasked with planning the perfect Christmas party for your workplace, keep reading for our Christmas party planning guide, styling inspiration and furniture hire tips to get you started.
Throwing the perfect Christmas party event all begins with finding the perfect venue – because sometimes, the staffroom just isn’t going to cut it. Here on the South East Coast we’re spoilt for choice with an amazing array of unique function venues in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tweed Coast and Byron Bay.
From industrial warehouses to waterfront restaurants and boutique hotels, your venue will ultimately set the tone for your entire event. Some things you’ll need to consider when searching for the perfect Christmas venue include:
What is the guest capacity?
How will your guests get there – is it close to transport and accommodation if needed?
What time can you access the venue, and what time is curfew?
What is the overall style and aesthetic of the space, and does this reflect your event vision?
Is there an in-house functions coordinator to manage the event, or will you need to arrange this?
For outdoor venues; is there an appropriate wet weather option or will you need to hire a marquee?
What exactly is/isn’t included in your package price?
If you’re looking for some unique venue inspiration, check out these 4 new Brisbane event venues we love – or, ask our team for our top recommendations!
Image via Team Event
Image via Kate Robinson
Image via The Events Lounge
The style of your Christmas party will ultimately influence the overall ambience and experience for your guests, so consider whether a sit-down or cocktail-style event is going to be the best fit for your upcoming celebration.
Sit-down events are ideal for intimate settings, long lunches or gala-style dinners, with a focus on sharing food and conversation over the table. This can also be the perfect option if you’ve arranged a stage for entertainment, performances or speeches throughout the night, allowing everyone to watch and enjoy comfortably.
When it comes to furniture and decor for a sit-down Christmas party, you’ll need to think about dining tables (feasting tables are your best bet for a share-style menu) and dining chairs, along with tableware like plates, cutlery, napkins, glassware and centrepieces.
Image via Figtree Pictures
Image via Pineapple Images
Alternatively, a cocktail style event could be better suited if you want a more informal feel, with guests roaming and mingling around the venue. Cocktail style events also suit relaxed menu options like canapes, grazing tables and food trucks, making them perfect for outdoor events.
For a cocktail-style Christmas party, you’ll want to consider a mix of furniture and decor pieces such as lounges, bar tables, stools, coffee tables, or even picnic rugs and cushions – aim for enough to seat 50-70% of guests at any one time. And don’t forget those finer details like a statement bar and photo backdrop to help complete your setting. Why not customise them with your business name and branding for a memorable photo opportunity? We have an in-house design team to create the perfect custom piece for your event.
Image via Shane Shepherd Weddings + The Events Lounge
For a memorable corporate Christmas party event, think outside the box with a fun, creative theme to set the tone for your guests – whether that’s bold and tropical, elegant and luxe, or something more earthy and relaxed.
We recommend taking cues from the existing aesthetic of your venue, and the overall “vibe” of your workplace and branding, too. What kind of colours, textures and materials best represent the vision you have in mind for your celebration? You might want to play around with your brand colours and logo design, or be inspired by the surroundings of your chosen location. Keep scrolling for some modern styling ideas and inspiration from our range of event furniture and decor!
Image via Spell Designs
Image via Grace Wriggles
Image via Princess Polly
Images via Princess Polly Boutique
Once you’ve decided on your theme, the next step will be bringing the look to life with furniture, decor and styling details. This is where we come in! Simply send us your colour palette, styling concept or inspiration photos (Pinterest is a great place to start) and we’ll happily put together a mood board and furniture suggestions to suit your theme, venue, budget and guest capacity.
We’d love to help you out with Christmas party event hire using our range of furniture and decor. Get in touch for a copy of our latest catalogue, or to arrange a free consultation for your end-of-year festivities.
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