Elle Roberts-Nissen, Head of Events:

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• Christmas party planning
• Christmas party trends 2023
• Top tips for the festive season

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Some may think that summer is too early to start planning Christmas parties, but in fact, there’s no time like the present – get it? It is always best to start planning sooner rather than later. Although you might want to put Christmas to the back of your mind for the first half of the year having just enjoyed it, it’s best to spend the time brainstorming ideas early ahead of the following December. From theming to guestlists, location to catering, every element of your Christmas party needs time and consideration.

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With so many Christmas party options – from private to shared parties – it can be difficult to know where to start. Looking ahead to Christmas 2023, we predict the following trends: 

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• Sustainability: Year on year, companies are thinking about ways they can make their events more sustainable. Get rid of the Christmas crackers and party hats and bring on more locally sourced, seasonal produce – make sure your suppliers are green certified.  
• Immersive: Let’s move on from the standard arrival reception, three course dinner and late night dancing. Elevate your Christmas party and create an experience that you and your guests can truly immerse themselves in. Think never-seen-before entertainment – such as live art – or interactive food stations.
• A Royal Christmas: Move over The Greatest Showman or Moulin Rogue to make way for a truly regal Christmas party this December. Think rich and bold colour palettes – gold, deep reds and greens – coupled with luxurious fine dining, we can see a number of royal themed Christmas parties on the horizon.
• Personalisation: Think about how you can incorporate your company values into Christmas party theming and planning. For example, if one of your values is “playful”, why not incorporate some fun childhood memories through carnival games or a festive sweet station. 

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So, with this in mind and as we approach summer, here are some of our top tips to help you nail this year’s festive party planning: 

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• Don’t be afraid to ask for help: There are plenty of event professionals out there who can take the stress away from remembering all of the details that go hand in hand with event planning. From invitation distribution to guestlist management, supplier negotiation and management on the day,  your event planner can manage the day-to-day responsibilities so you can focus on enjoying the party! 
• Get brainstorming and create mood boards: It shouldn’t just be on one person’s shoulders to come up with all the ideas! Schedule a team brainstorm and feed off each other’s ideas about themes, food, locations and everything in between. From your brainstorm, take your ideas and create mood boards for each to bring them to life. Visuals help decision making easier and will give you a clearer vision. 
• Don’t forget to thank your clients: During the festive period there are so many wonderful options for you to host your clients and show them thanks. From festive dinners to afternoon teas, to catching up over a glass of mulled wine and cheese, invite your clients out with your team to mix, mingle and celebrate another successful year working together. These small gestures go a long way and who doesn’t love another excuse to celebrate! 

If you’re looking for advice or recommendations on  bespoke Christmas party planning, get in touch with Conscious Communications to find out how we can help you: