Christmas Party Ideas

Office Christmas Party Ideas: Not the Traditional, Boozy ‘Do

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A woman in a warm knitted top looking toward a tall and wide Christmas tree in the middle of a city square at night. The tree is covered with white fairy lights, and gold and red baubles are scattered around the branches. Groups of people mill about between the woman and the tree. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Cringe-worthy karaoke and awkward situations – this seems to be the main theme of the average Christmas party in many offices. Unsurprisingly, a 2021 survey found that 1 in 10 Brits would rather avoid attending Christmas party activities because they didn’t want to embarrass themselves, and in many cases, alcohol is to blame. 

But something is changing: UK businesses are moving away from the traditional office Christmas party and replacing boozy ‘dos with more inclusive celebrations. For this article, we surveyed 70 companies to find out how they’re innovating and switching from office parties with a booze-fuelled format to something genuinely enjoyable for everybody. 

Let’s take a look at the findings of this survey – you might find some interesting ideas on how to plan this year’s Christmas party.

The shift towards more inclusive holiday celebrations

The main issue with celebrations that centre around alcohol is that some employees feel left out. Gen Z, which will soon account for 30% of the workforce, are known for consuming less alcohol than Millennials, and many don’t drink at all. Also, with London being such a diverse city, it’s very likely that almost every office will have someone from a different cultural background. 

This is why many businesses now opt for alcohol-free gatherings during the festive period. As some of our respondents said when asked about their alternative Christmas event ideas, there’s no need to force outdated traditions. And when events align with employees’ values, engagement naturally follows. At the end of the day, people choose what speaks to them. So, read on to learn about some of the more inclusive and non-traditional work Christmas party ideas that are gaining traction in workplaces across industries.

Continue reading “Office Christmas Party Ideas: Not the Traditional, Boozy ‘Do” →

Quirky, Cool Christmas Office Party Ideas in London

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With only a few weeks left until Christmas Day, most office managers and business owners are busy organising their annual Christmas office party. Year after year, the festive season presents us with an opportunity to reward our staff and show our gratitude for a whole year of hard work. Corporate Christmas parties are also effective at building team spirit and motivating employees, in addition to being a great PR and marketing exercise.

But perhaps this year you’d prefer to organise something more interesting and memorable than the typical office Christmas lunch or dinner party. If you’d like to bring your team together by doing something fun and completely atypical, read through the suggestions below and learn more about some quirky, cool Christmas office party ideas in London.

Underground Crazy Golf at Waterloo
Underground Crazy Golf is set to become one of the most popular corporate day out experiences in the British capital. We are all familiar with Christmas golf breaks, which can be as appealing as they are costly. If you are looking for a more affordable way to celebrate Christmas with your staff and do not want to leave golf out of the equation, Underground Crazy Golf is the right choice for you. Continue reading “Quirky, Cool Christmas Office Party Ideas in London” →

Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in London

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Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in LondonWith barely a month left until Christmas day many of us are busy making last-minute preparations at home and in the office. Have you already found the ideal venue for your office Christmas party? If you haven’t, there’s still some time left to find and book a suitable venue. Take a look at our list of last-minute office Christmas party ideas and venues in London that are still taking bookings.

Christmas at the museum

If you want to celebrate your corporate Christmas party somewhere different this year, why not consider booking one of the impressive venues for hire at the Natural History Museum? The museum has a very convenient location in the heart of London and is just as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside. There are three spaces suitable for office Christmas parties at the museum. The first is Hintze Hall, a splendid space featuring impressive architecture that can accommodate up to 700 guests for dinners and 1,200 people for receptions. Equally stunning is the Earth Hall, a unique tribute to our planet and our universe and a definitely a different Christmas party venue. Maximum capacity is 200 guests for dinners and 500 for receptions. If you require a smaller venue and are only planning a canape and drinks reception, check out the Darwin Centre, a contemporary space which includes use of an outdoor courtyard.

For details about these venues you can call the museum on 020 7942 5434 or get in touch via Twitter on @NHMevents.

An all-in-one Christmas venue

Do you want to treat your staff to an activity-based office Christmas party? Then take a look at the All Star Lanes, which have four centrally located branches so that you can choose the one that is more convenient for you. In addition to a private bowling room, a booking with All Star Lanes gives you access to your very own staffed cocktail bar, a karaoke room, and even a Wii console. Canapes and snacks can also be arranged, so you really get everything you need for a fun and entertaining Christmas party by booking with All Star Lanes. These venues can accommodate parties of up to 80 people (130 at the Brick Lane penthouse). Continue reading “Last Minute Office Christmas Party Ideas in London” →

Office Christmas Party Ideas in London

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Office Christmas Party Ideas in London LondonOfficeSpace.com @officeinlondonWith Christmas just around the corner, businesses across London are looking for ways to make their office parties interesting. If you want your business’ Christmas party to stand out, doing so is easy in London. However, you may need a little inspiration to get you started.

Greenwich Yacht Club
Greenwich Yacht Club stands on stilts in the middle of the Thames, giving it a unique ambiance for a Christmas party in London. Most of the building is made of glass, which means it is particularly beautiful when the snow starts to fall. With 2013 set to see some of the UK’s biggest snowfall yet, you are almost guaranteed to achieve this scenery. Both outdoor and indoor space is on offer.

Hampton Court Venue Hire for a Historic Theme
Hampton Court offers venue hire at the pricier end of the range, but it is a great destination if you want your office party to have a historic or refined feel to it. The venues range from an intimate King’s Room to the Great Hall, which is likely to impress international workers who buy into British heritage. Hampton Court only works with certain caterers, so bear that in mind when organising your event. If you do not see something you like at Hampton Court, check out the rest of the Historic Royal Palaces venues.

Art Gallery Christmas Party at the Saatchi Gallery
The Saatchi Gallery is not the only gallery for hire in London, but it is a good example of what you can get if an art gallery Christmas party does appeal to you. The Saatchi gallery comeswith 70,000 square feet of event space, and it is entirely flexible in terms of what you can do. As the exhibitions change around four times a year, there is plenty of scope for variety of you want to make this venue a regular feature. Art galleries are particularly well suited to those who want a contemporary theme. Continue reading “Office Christmas Party Ideas in London” →