Southampton is known for its maritime heritage and is now developing a reputation for good food and good nightlife. Hence the attraction as a location for a work celebration. Anyone searching Christmas parties in Southampton will have a good selection to choose from, whether waterfront restaurants, large hotels or other venues. Here’s how to make the most of it.
The first things to agree with your colleagues is the size of the party (how many will attend?), the cost (how much can we spend per head?), and what kind of party do they want (a quiet dinner, or a noisy party?) Knowing this means you can have more effective conversations with venues and do a fair comparison between the quotes you’ll receive. You should also ask about partners (spouses/significant others), as their attendance can alter the numbers and costs significantly.
There are basically two types of bookings. The first is a shared party. This means your party attends a larger event (along with other companies). Often there is a meal, music and entertainment provided for you. The atmosphere is usually fairly boisterous. This can work well for smaller companies that don’t want to organise the party themselves. An exclusive party, as the name implies, means you’re the only company to book a venue, giving you more control over the food and drinks and entertainment, if desired. This can work well for larger companies that want to include presentations, if they so choose.
Being easily accessible from London, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Winchester and Southampton via the train and with direct roads along the south coast, Southampton is a useful meeting point for colleagues working in different offices. Trains to Southampton from the above locations leave regularly, but check what time the last train is from Southampton to where your colleagues are traveling from. They may not be aware of the early departure times.
December is the busiest month for bookings, and the best Fridays are taken a long time in advance. Early evening events are popular because the majority of attendees want to finish work for the day and travel home. A Thursday in early December would likely be a better option for hosting a work event because the majority of people wouldn’t have other work commitments for the day, and the atmosphere would likely be more laid back.
Deciding the location of the event is also important. Venues along Southampton’s waterfront have beautiful views of the Solent and offer a picturesque setting. There are also many historical and interesting buildings located in Southampton’s old town that offer a point of interest to attendees.
When deciding the dietary requirements of your colleagues, ensure you ask for your colleagues’ dietary restrictions as well. Making standard offerings of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free foods shows that you’ve included everybody. You should also make accommodations for people with mobility issues and ensure there is enough space for people to freely converse. Providing non-alcoholic drinks is also another small and thoughtful way to include the entire team.
Entertaining staff should be tailored to their interests as opposed to the venue’s suggestions. What works for one group may not work for another. Some groups may prefer a band or a DJ. Other groups may want a comedian or a quiz. For the group that is not keen on being a part of the staff party, allow them the opportunity to be as un-involved as they want by providing a number of options for entertainment.
Look at the legal stuff. Review the cancellation terms, ensure the final attendance numbers are in writing, and confirm the amount of the deposit. Find out about potential hidden costs, like a service fee or a late-night entertainment license. Appoint someone to handle all the questions that may come up on the day, and give everyone a general itinerary to manage expectations.
A staff party that is well organised can reward staff for a long hard year, and can bring staff together in anticipation for an even better year ahead. Plan ahead, and consider the interests of staff when choosing the location and activities for the staff party.
For more ideas and options, see Christmas Parties Southampton.
