Top 7 Things You Should Know When Throwing a Company Christmas Party in London

Planning a Christmas party in a city as big as London isn’t easy- picking the right venue, food, experience, and of course you have to make sure everyone enjoys themselves! Poor party planning can lead to low turnout or a bland event, while a well-executed plan won’t just make people happy, it can even boost employee morale. But don’t worry, here at Tagvenue, we’ve got your back!

How about throwing your party in a trendy pub in Soho, a rooftop bar with a beautiful view of the Thames or a snug spot in Covent Garden? In this guide, we will help you pick the right venue, come up with great game ideas, and choose the best themes so you can pull off a great company party in London.

1.Budget 💷💷

When throwing a company Christmas party, one of the major factors you must consider is the budget! Finding a venue that fits your budget is crucial to your event’s success, and this is where Tagvenue comes in. Using our platform, you can compare different options and guarantee you get the most out of your budget. This way, you’ll be able to focus on having a fantastic time rather than fretting about the cost!

• Determine your budget: Consider how much you want to spend per head while factoring in things like venue hire, food, drinks, entertainment and transportation.

• Set priorities: If you’re working with a limited budget. Think about what is most important to your team. Is it the food, venue or the entertainment?

For example, Tuttons Vaults is great for a Christmas party on a budget, in the heart of Covent Garden where the festivities are alive and kicking this is an ideal spot to host your Christmas Company Party. They even provide 2 Christmas packages with a 3 course meal ranging from £47.50- £50 per person. Can you go wrong?

“Tagvenue was great to see the different options for venue hire. I was able to search via the map so I could find venues closest to my desired location. I was also able to see the difference in pricing and additional offerings”

Rayna Channels

Related:
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How Much Should You Pay for a Bar in London?

2. Picking the Right Venue❄️🎄

Picking the venue might seem daunting, especially in London, but luckily for you here at Tagvenue, we have curated a list of some of the best venues in London to host your company’s Christmas party. 

When choosing your venue, consider what’s most important for your guests:  Are they looking for food and drinks in a chic cocktail bar in Canary Wharf? Or is it a central location they’re after like an elegant hotel in Covent Garden? If entertainment is the priority, a private room in Soho could do the trick.

Each venue on our list has its list of unique perks, so check it out and see which one suits you and your guests’ needs.

“Easy to use and filter to find exactly what I need. Made the communication process with the venue easy and helped verify the vendor through reviews. Thank you!’

Paola Simon

Tagvenue recommends:

• Ricco London 5.0 is the place to be. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while showing your holiday spirit across four large LED screens. With a late-night licence and customisable packages, Ricco London guarantees your party will be a hit!
• The Lucky Pig 5.0 in London offers vintage charm and a relaxed vibe that suits those looking for a formal venue. The art deco setting, cheeky cocktails, and finger-licking canapés create a memorable atmosphere. The team handles everything from DJs to magicians so that you can enjoy the celebration. 
• Cabana 4.5 is a fantastic choice for your company Christmas party in London. With packages starting at just £25 per person, your team is in for a treat. Head to Cabana where your guests can savour holiday favourites like Honey, Orange and Red Chilli Chicken Wings and Flame Grilled Spicy Malagueta Chicken Skewers.

3. Themes 🎅☃️

Now that you’ve determined your budget and are looking for a venue, let’s consider what themes you could use for your company’s Christmas party.

The right theme makes your event tie together and stand out, while the wrong theme can fall flat. Some venues already have seasonal decor or built-in themes, which can make your choice easier.

If the venue doesn’t provide this, it can be overwhelming to start from scratch. Just remember to choose a theme that fits your venue and your company’s values and is within your budget. Here are a couple of ideas for some inspiration:

• Winter Wonderland: Transform your venue into a sparkly white christmas wonderland. Using white and silver decorations, sparkly fairy lights, and snowflakes. You can add an elegant touch by using white faux fur rugs and if the space allows, a hot chocolate bar.

• Christmas Around the World: Celebrate different Christmas traditions from other countries. Decorate each area with a different country’s theme and offer traditional festive food and drinks from that country.You could enjoy American roast turkey, British Christmas pudding, German stollen, Italian panettone, and French bûche de Noël. This is a fantastic way for employees to celebrate and learn about each other’s cultures while sampling all this delicious food. 

• Classic Christmas movies: Draw inspiration from all time favourites like ‘Home Alone’, ‘Elf’ or ‘The Grinch’. Use themed decorations, play clips from the movies and dress up as the characters to help bring the holiday spirit to life.

• 12 Days of Christmas: Base your theme on the popular Christmas song. Tailor the venue with elements from the 12 days. Create activities or games related to each of the gifts mentioned. 

Need some original themes for your upcoming Xmas party? Check out our 170 Greatest Themes to Rock Every Party in 2024 to get inspired.

4. Food & Drinks 🥮🍪🍷

Choosing the right food can be a game changer for your event. Party spots like Motel Studios offer three excellent options such as classic Christmas dinners, themed street food, and elegant canapés. 

Don’t stress too much about details, think about how each type of food and theme will work together to give your guests the best experience. Here’s some themes to help you pick the perfect menu for festivities:

• Traditional Christmas Dinner: Go down the classic route with a sit down meal featuring roast turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings. Add roasties, brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce for a full spread. You could upgrade your turkey by adding a flavourful stuffing like cranberry and chestnut for a twist on your standard Christmas dinner.
• Street food stalls: For a more casual setting hire food trucks offering a variety of cuisines from festive burgers to gourmet hot dogs. ( This would pair well with the Christmas Around the World theme). 
• Cocktail Station: Hire a mixologist to create Christmas themed cocktails or set up a DIY cocktail station where your guests can make their own drinks, provide christmas cocktail recipes for an added touch.
• Mulled Wine & Hot Chocolate: Set up a station where guests can enjoy these warm festive favourites. Mulled wine with its spicy aroma and fruity warmth can make you feel nice and snug on those cold winter nights- like a hug in a mug. Hot Chocolate doesn’t need much explanation why it’s a classic favourite; it’s sweet, creamy and brings back that nostalgic feeling.

5.Entertainment 🎤🕺

We’re looking to up the game for your Christmas Party with entertainment! Picture a live DJ playing all the Christmas Classics to get your guests up and dancing the night away, a festive photo booth filled with props like Santa hats and reindeer antlers and some friendly competition with Christmas themed games. It’s all about thinking of ways to keep your guests entertained and make this a company Christmas party they won’t forget in a hurry!

• Live DJ or Band: Hire a live band or DJ to keep the party atmosphere going. Consider a night of festive favourites that’s guaranteed to get your guests singing along! Who doesn’t love a late night rendition of ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’?

• Photo Booths: Create memories that will last a lifetime with a Christmas themed photo booth. Bring props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers and festive signs.
• Games & Competitions: Organise games like a Christmas quiz, Christmas themed charades or a secret santa exchange.

Remember: It’s a good idea to make sure you have a quiet space for those who would like to relax and avoid the loud crowd!

6. Festive Decor 🎁🎁

Make your Christmas party sparkle with fairy lights, festive trees and cosy wreaths. Use holiday colours for your table settings and add Christmas crackers. Let your guests decorate a shared tree with their own personal ornaments! 

Christmas trees & Lights: Set up your space with Christmas trees, fairy lights and festive wreaths to give that cosy Christmassy feel to your party.

Table settings: Try and incorporate festive colours like green and red to your table using tablecloths or napkins. You can also add Christmas crackers to each table setting. For an extra festive touch, add baubles, mini christmas trees or candles to the centre of your table. 

Interactive decor: Set up a Christmas tree in your venue and give each guest a small Christmas tree ornament that they can write on, they can put down their Christmas wishes or holiday messages and decorate the tree, for a personal touch.

7. Try an Alternative Christmas Experience 🏌️‍♀️🍿

Not every Christmas party has to be in a party venue. Why not try something more interactive with your guests this Christmas, like crazy golf or a private cinema screening of one of your favourite Christmas movies? Also, remember it’s important to provide a quiet space for those who want to relax and chat!

• Crazy Golf: Putt Crazy offers a unique setting for your company Christmas party. Enjoy exclusive venue access with unlimited golf, allowing for a fun event. With a flat rate, you get privacy, flexibility in table layouts and decorations, and dedicated staff to serve your guests. Plus, you can bring your own food and drinks, or use their bar and restaurant for catering. 
• Private Cinema Screening: If you’re a bunch of movie enthusiasts or just looking to unwind after a busy work day, why not hire a private cinema like Everyman Vaida Male and have a movie marathon of the festive classics like ‘Love Actually’ and ‘The Holiday’?

‘The everyman team were extremely professional in helping run our corporate event, the service itself was exceptional with the while team playing a part’

Cameron P

• Gaming venue: If your team is looking to unwind and require some fun and excitement, Pop Playrooms  offers interactive activities to host your company Christmas party this year! With its fun pop music-themed golf course and interactive dart boards, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of the year together. Your guests can enjoy Instagram-worthy backdrops, great tunes, and tasty Korean street food. You’ll wonder how you can top next year’s Christmas party! 

Party bus: Why not push the boat out and hire a party bus like Champagne Tours to enjoy with your team? Host up to 70 guests and you can enjoy an evening with premium sound systems and glasses of bubbly. Journey through iconic London landmarks like The London Eye and Big Ben and make your company’s Christmas party one to remember.

Are You Ready to Party?

Using this guide, you can carefully plan each aspect of your company Christmas party, from choosing the right venue to selecting the best food and entertainment. 

You don’t need to overspend for it to be a successful event. Focus on what matters most to your staff and choose a venue and theme that aligns with your company culture!

Visit our venue selection page to get started. Let’s make this year’s party one your guests will never forget!