The small office Christmas party
Organising a festive event for a small number of guests can sometimes feel more intimidating than hosting a huge corporate bash for hundreds of people. A party atmosphere often takes care of itself when you pour scores of guests onto a dance floor and pump up the Christmas tunes, but during a more intimate event there are no guarantees. But worry not, here at eve we know the formula for creating a memorable night of seasonal celebrations whatever size your party.
Get creative with your small office Christmas party ideas
The brilliant thing about organising a Christmas party for a smaller number of people is that you have so many more slightly off-piste options open to you. We’ve put our heads together to come up with some of the most imaginative, unique, fun, festive ways to celebrate with your colleagues this Christmas.
River tour of the Thames
The twinkling lights of London always look spectacular from the water and a river boat tour is a wonderful way to add an extra element to your Christmas party. There are lots of different companies that host boat trips on the River Thames, so you won’t be short of options or start and finish points.
The Uber Boat by Thames Clipper, for example, is running Illuminated River Official Boat Tours this year, which give guests the opportunity to enjoy an art installation which lights up nine of London’s famous bridges. The tour starts and finishes at Tower Pier and the stunning artwork which ‘paints with light’ adorns bridges including Blackfriars and Westminster.
In keeping with the theme of your event, a short journey further south on the river will bring you and your Christmas party guests to one of our most impressive venues, Old Royal Naval College. UNESCO described this historical venue as ‘the finest and most dramatically sited architectural and landscape ensemble in the British Isles’. Quite an accolade! The Hawksmoor Room and the Kay Room in the Admiral’s House are the perfect size for groups of diners of up to 25 guests.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Fairground rides, glühwein, live music, ice skating, seasonal street food… the fun on offer at London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is plentiful and unapologetically festive. The theming and general jollity of the world-famous event never fails to inject Christmas joy into its guests and is a fabulous way to kickstart your seasonal celebrations.
Meeting your fellow office Christmas party goers in the late afternoon will give you all a chance to enjoy the fun of the fair for a few hours before the evening lights make their magical appearance. After the fair, you could then take the short walk down Park Lane and along Piccadilly to our beautiful venue, Prince Phillip House. Here, you and your guests will be able to enjoy an evening of stylish, Scandinavian Christmas cheer with a three-course dinner and drinks.
Covent Garden
All year round, London’s Covent Garden attracts thousands of visitors with its fabulous array of shops, street entertainers and market stalls. But it’s not until Christmas that the cobbled, pedestrianised square truly hits its stride. The decorations alone make this West End jewel well worth a spot on your Christmas celebrations schedule. Add in some carol singers, roasted chestnuts and Christmas gift stalls and you’ve got the perfect warm-up destination for you small office Christmas party.
Soaking up the atmosphere and indulging in a festive tipple in the fresh air will fuel your guests on the short walk down to RSA House, where you could host a delicious, three-course meal. The Georgian townhouse has 11 spaces to choose from – including an exposed brick vault – many of which will perfectly suit a small Christmas private dinner or drinks reception.
Theatreland
If you’re looking to create a night to remember for your Christmas party guests, a trip to see a West End show will certainly help make memories. Hugely successful musicals like Matilda and Jersey Boys will prove popular amongst a broad range of tastes and age groups. With inspiring storylines and upbeat songs, there’s no better way to get a group of colleagues into the festive spirit. You could also consider a comedy night to relax your guests before moving onto the dinner and drinks of your main event.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Dartmouth House and The Royal Society are all within a short taxi or tube ride from most of the capital’s theatres and comedy clubs and have fantastic Christmas party offering for small groups.
Christmas cocktails and speakeasies in the City
If you want to add a theme to this year’s Christmas party, you really can’t go wrong with opting for 1920s or The Great Gatsby. It’s glamorous, glitzy and gives you a great excuse to explore some of the City’s finest cocktail bars and speakeasies.
Treat your party guests to creations from some of the capital’s finest mixologists before you settle into your venue for your sit-down meal. As a special touch, why not pre-order signature cocktails for your guests incorporating their favourite flavours or reflecting their individual personalities? Some of our recommendations for cocktail bars and speakeasies (with a little of theatre) in the City include The Alchemist, The Gobspy and Oriole. Depending on your chosen watering hole, eve has a number of Christmas party venues in the Square Mile for your main event. Choose between The HAC, Goldsmiths’ Hall and Ironmongers’ Hall – all of which would look fabulous when dressed up in a 1920s style.
Shared Christmas party
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone for your small office Christmas party. Lots of small companies take the opportunity to organise a table or two at a large event, hosted by a fabulous venue. This will give your guests the opportunity to dance and mingle in a way that a small party simply can’t offer. At eve we specialise in exclusive Christmas parties but if you want a shared party our sister company Ultimate Experience organises them every year.
Whatever you decide for you and your colleagues this Christmas, your first port of call should be talking to the team at eve about which of our small Christmas party venues could work for you. We can take care of venue hire, entertainment and catering, leaving you the rare chance to enjoy the event you’re organising.