At the end of the year, many organisations in Colchester face the same challenge: planning a Christmas Party that meets the expectations of employees, adheres to budget guidelines, and is organised during the year’s busiest time!
It’s vital to know what to employees want before you choose a time, date and location. And it’s often assumed that the employees want the same thing, and this is where many employers get it wrong. Some companies learn the hard way that the employees for whom the event is planned may include working parents, and planning an event on a Saturday night for example will alienate those who are protective of their weekends. So whilst planning Christmas parties Colchester vibes might seem a bit daunting, they needn’t be – we have a few solutions for you to consider to make the process easier.
Options within Colchester
Depending on the size of the company and the budget available, Colchester has a number of options to suit. Established facilities in the town centre, which are classic hotels and restaurants, can facilitate corporate events in December – including Christmas parties.
The surrounding area has vast rural venues, historic locations, and various activity centres. Companies seeking functionality and something different have a notable strength by looking beyond hotels for event spaces but that may need more arrangements for transport and accessibility. Functioning hotel venues may not be the best option and may not result in the most memorable experiences for the businesses involved.
If possible, nominee venues should be physically visited before a final decision is made. The venue may look different in photos than in person where they may have hidden problems like acoustics and accessibility. Talking to the venue coordinators should also be informative as they may have years of experience in working with other venues and organising business events and may be adaptable to changes.
Budgeting Perspectives
Having a realistic budget in the earlier stages can save everyone involved from the discomfort of difficult conversations down the road. Transport can also be included in calculating total head costs along with venue expenses, food, drinks, and entertainment. Keep in mind that venue costs for the month of December are the highest due to demand and what may be a reasonable venue cost for the other eleven months can be much more expensive for the holiday season.
Clarify what the company is providing. For example… will the bar be fully open for the whole evening or is there a limit for an amount of money to be spent? Is it just employees, or will people be allowed to bring a plus one? It’s things like this that saves people from the stress of receiving an unexpected bill.
Timing and Logistics
Be mindful of transport arrangements. If alcohol is served, will there be arrangements made for people to get home safely? If the venue is in a location outside of the town centre, it may require the organising of coaches. These things go far in aiding the cause of making employees feel valued more than the aesthetics.
Making it Inclusive
The most effective corporate Christmas parties are those that cater for different needs and preferences. The arranging of an early finish for those need a carer for example, ensuring that other food served is of equal quality to the veggie and vegan food, and providing space that is appropriate is created for introverts and extroverts, can greatly contribute to people actually looking forward to the event rather than just wanting to attend for the sake of attendance.
When applied, this can be helpful in strengthening workplace relationships and increasing office morale during the end and start of year. All in all – plan early, cater for all and enjoy the party!
