Office Christmas

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 As some of our respondents said when asked about their alternative Christmas event ideas, there’s no need to force outdated traditions.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” →

Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible

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Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible from LondonOfficeSpace.comLike most employers, you should have by now reached the time of year where you start thinking about your Christmas party. Whether you’re hosting at your premises, looking at swanky hotels, or pouring through novel ideas, there are ways to keep your workforce entertained while ensuring it’s tax deductible.

There is, however, a catch. Your tax deductible Christmas expenses have a limit of £150 per person in attendance. A simple understanding of how to keep your Christmas party tax deductible can avoid nasty VAT surprises, while allowing you to throw the perfect bash.

Understanding the Rules Surrounding Tax Deductible Christmas Parties

First, that £150 per head doesn’t just apply to your employees. It’s applicable to whoever is in attendance, which means it’s tax deductible for your spouse, their spouses, and whoever else they bring along. Now here’s the tricky part; if you go even one penny over that £150, the whole event is subject to the usual VAT rules.

To meet these terms, bookings must be made in the business’ name. So when you call a hotel or restaurant to make a booking, book it under the name of your business and not the director or events planner. It’s also worth noting that this £150 per head expense is per-annum. So if you hold more than one event in a year, the aggregate cost must not exceed £150. In order for it to be classed as a party that’s tax deductible, it must be open to all of your employees. If your employees are at different locations – because you have a lot of branches – you’re allowed to hold parties at all of these locations. Continue reading “Company Christmas Parties: How To Make Sure Your Office Christmas Party is Tax Deductible” →

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” →

Christmas Decorations for the Office

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Once again, we are in the run-up to Christmas. While most of us have a good idea about how to decorate our homes during this special period, decorating the office can require additional planning. In this article you will find a quick guide to decorating your workspace and making it reflect your company’s character as well as the spirit of the holiday season.

Types of Christmas decorations

Depending on the space available at your office and the budget allocated to Christmas decorations, you may want to go for only certain types of Christmas decorations or for full sets. The most popular decorations are wreaths, garlands, wall florals, desk floral displays, and Christmas lighting. Of course, having a Christmas tree in the office is almost compulsory, and the variety in shape, size, and pricing means that you are guaranteed to find something that is just right for your office.

Wreaths can be placed on individual workstations, on balconies, in the reception area, or on doors. Garlands are the perfect complement to Christmas wreaths but can also be put up on their own to add a subtle festive touch.

Desk floral displays are perfect to have in the reception desk, whereas wall florals are ideal decorative solutions for small workspaces.

Christmas decorations in the office: services available to corporate clients

In many cases, the Christmas period brings an increased workload that makes it very difficult for staff to take care of Christmas decorations. In situations like these, you may want to take advantage of the services offered by companies that are experts in decorating offices and getting workspaces ready for Christmas. Some of the services available include tree hire, installation, decoration and removal, delivery and installation of real and artificial wreaths, indoor and outdoor lighting displays, gift catalogues, and a range of other decorative items, like candles or swags. Continue reading “Christmas Decorations for the Office” →

Planning the Office Christmas Party in London

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Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year again. You can’t walk past a shop without being blinded by flashing red noses and enough tinsel to carpet all of central London. Those old songs are being belted out at you wherever you turn, there are funny men dressed in red suits and you’re thinking, “Is it too early in the relationship to be having Christmas with the ‘out laws’?”.

It’s time to plan the office Christmas party. You don’t want to be banished forever for planning the worst one since the girl from reception was ill all over the boss’s new shoes. You want people to enjoy themselves, they deserve it after a year of surfing the net – I mean, hard work.

I think getting some input from staff is a good idea, what do they want to do? Would they like a themed event? Finger buffet? Party Bus? Whatever it is, it needs careful planning.

Get quotes from catering companies, ask for references and do follow them up. You don’t want to end up with soggy sausage rolls and iffy deviled eggs. Is it an employee only party or can people bring dates, partners, pets? Continue reading “Planning the Office Christmas Party in London” →