Santa’s Secret to a successful Christmas? He plans in July.

While Christmas might not be on your mind right now, you don’t want your team to miss out on memorable festive celebrations, making do with a poor venue and even poorer entertainment.

So be smart like Santa and get your event sorted early, yule be glad you did!

Here are Brighter’s top tips to avoid the fully booked blues…

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Start now!‍

The earlier you start planning, the better.

Securing your preferred venue early helps ensure you get the date, time, and location that best suits your group’s needs, especially important for larger parties or during peak seasons.

Early planning also gives you more time to coordinate details, explore additional options, as well as avoid the stress of last-minute arrangements.

Nominate your organiser

While it might seem helpful to split the workload among several people, too many cooks can spoil the broth!

So to keep things simple and stress-free, nominate one person to take the lead.

This person can oversee all the details, coordinate communication, and ensure that tasks don’t get duplicated, or worse, overlooked!

Others can still assist but having one clear point of contact keeps everything running smoothly from start to finish.

Budget. Budget. Budget!

Setting a clear budget is one of the most important steps in planning a successful event.

Start by determining your overall spending limit, then break it down into key categories such as venue, catering, decorations, entertainment, transport and any extras.

Allocating funds to each element helps you stay on track and avoid unexpected costs.

Be realistic, build in a little buffer for surprises, and always keep track of what’s been spent.

A well-planned budget ensures you get the most value without compromising the fun!

Have fun but remember who you’re with!

Christmas parties are a fantastic way to build team spirit, but don’t forget - you’re still among colleagues.

Have fun and let your hair down, but keep in mind that with smartphones everywhere, your enthusiastic Gangnam Style moves could easily become the talk of the office!

Choose the right menu

Planning a menu that satisfies a diverse group can be tricky, especially when considering individual preferences, dietary restrictions and food allergies.

From vegetarian and vegan needs to gluten intolerances and nut allergies, being inclusive with your food choices shows consideration and care.

Distribute a short survey before the event to collect information on dietary needs, allergies and personal preferences. This allows you to plan confidently and avoid last-minute surprises.

Cheers!

When planning drinks, be sure to cater for everyone by offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Not everyone drinks alcohol, whether for health, religious, or personal reasons - so having a variety of refreshing alternatives like mocktails, sparkling water and soft drinks, ensures everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy the celebration.

Remember, a well-balanced drinks menu is just as important as the food!

So armed with all our advice above it’s time to get your Christmas party all wrapped up nice and early… join the wise ones and contact us TODAY to make your Christmas party Brighter!

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