Organising a company Christmas party in 5 steps

December is one of the busiest months for party venues. So if you start planning in good time, you’ll have the widest choice. But where do you start? Follow these 5 steps to organise a Christmas party that your colleagues will be talking about for a long time to come.

Planning a corporate Christmas party? It’s best to start setting a date in October or November. December is a busy month, and especially during the last week before Christmas, many people’s calendars are already filled with vacations and family visits.

Tip: Host the party in early December. Or start the new year off right with a fun New Year’s reception in January. Party venues are often less crowded then, and you’ll have more options.

Once the plans are finalized, you can send out the official invitation. Include the program, the times, any dress code, and transportation information. 

Once the plans are finalized, you can send out the official invitation. Include the program, the times, any dress code, and transportation information. Don’t forget to ask about dietary preferences and allergies.

That way, everyone will know what to expect, and the countdown can begin!

A Christmas party is, of course, all about having a good time, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to thank your colleagues for their hard work. It’s a chance to look back on the past year together, celebrate successes and take a break from thinking about work.

So, first of all, think about what sort of event you want to organise. Will it be a small Christmas drinks reception, a lavish dinner or a full-scale company outing?

Next, set a budget per person. Take the following into account:

• The venue and any venue hire costs
• Food and drink
• Activities and entertainment
• Transport and any overnight accommodation

Een kerstfeest op kantoor organiseren is makkelijk. Iedereen kent de locatie en je hoeft weinig te regelen. Maar wil je er echt een uitje van maken? Dan is een externe locatie een leuke optie.

Denk aan een sfeervol kasteel, een locatie midden in de natuur of een gezellige plek waar je samen kunt eten en borrelen.

Bij Stayokay vind je verschillende bijzondere locaties voor een winters bedrijfsuitje. Zo verblijf je bij Stayokay Maastricht aan de Maas, op loopafstand van het gezellige stadscentrum. Een ideale plek om jullie kerstfeest te combineren met een bezoek aan de stad! Of wat dacht je van Stayokay Domburg? Hier verblijf je in een 13e-eeuws kasteel, omringd door natuur en vlak bij het strand. Een bijzondere plek om samen het jaar af te sluiten!

En wie zegt dat een kerstfeest maar één avond hoeft te duren? Combineer het met een bedrijfsuitje met overnachting en maak er een compleet verblijf van.

Overnachten bij Stayokay

A Christmas dinner is always a lovely occasion, but there are plenty of other ways to round off the year. A fun activity or an original theme can make the party just that bit more special.

Still need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas:

• Christmas dinner: enjoy a sumptuous meal together and raise a glass to the past year.
• Tacky Christmas jumper party: dig that Christmas jumper with reindeer and flashing lights out of the wardrobe.
• Christmas quiz: find out which of your colleagues is the biggest Christmas expert.
• Christmas wreath-making workshop: get creative together and take your own Christmas wreath home with you.
• Winter walk: put on your warm coat and go for a walk in the countryside.
• Visit a Christmas market: wander past the stalls and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.

When choosing a theme, do bear your colleagues in mind. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. A general end-of-year party is therefore a good alternative where everyone can feel included.

Of course, a Christmas party isn’t complete without good food and drink. But should you opt for a full-course Christmas dinner or a buffet?

With a sit-down dinner, everyone sits together cosily at the table. A buffet, on the other hand, is handy if you want to let your colleagues choose for themselves and keep the evening a bit more informal.

Don’t forget to find out about dietary requirements and allergies in advance. Also, make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks so that everyone can join in the toast. At Stayokay, we’re happy to help you plan your Christmas party and take some of the organisation off your hands.

And then there’s the music! Will you go all out with a DJ or a live band, or put together a fun playlist yourself? Several Stayokay venues have sound systems available, so you can provide the music yourselves. Christmas classics or your colleagues’ favourite tracks? The choice is yours!

View options for end-of-year parties

Wrapping up a lovely evening only to face an hour’s drive home afterwards? There’s no need. Combine your Christmas party with an overnight stay and turn it into a full-blown company outing.

That way, nobody has to worry about catching the last train or who’s left to drive. And the next morning, you can round off the celebrations together with breakfast. What a lovely way to end it!

At Stayokay, you and your team can stay overnight at unique locations throughout the Netherlands. From castles and historic buildings to hostels surrounded by nature. There are various options for groups who want to eat together, take part in activities and stay overnight.

Stay the night at Stayokay