Planning your office Christmas Party can be a daunting task; from catering to style and venue choices, there’s certainly a lot to think about. What’s more, striking the right balance between a fun party atmosphere and being budget-savvy can sometimes prove difficult!

Read our handy guide to keep your office Christmas party planning hassle-free, with helpful tips and advice to keep you on track!

Where to start?

Whether you are looking for a large-scale exclusive Christmas party or a more informal gathering, start planning early! Venues can be booked up months in advance so it’s always best to plan ahead so you don’t miss out.

Set your budget and work out roughly what style of office Christmas party your company are looking for. Often, booking early also mean you benefit from early bird discounts and have first choice of dates. Here at Old Down Manor, we’re offering an exclusive discount for Carnival Parties booked before 31stJuly! Click here for more information.

Exclusive Themed Parties

Studiowise Christmas dinnes

© Studiowise Photography

For larger corporations, exclusively hiring a venue is usually the most popular choice for an office Christmas party. It gives you the space and flexibility to plan a really exciting Christmas party, with entertainment and themed décor to create a fantastic party atmosphere!

At Old Down Estate, our Carnival-themed Manor House Christmas Parties are perfect for larger companies and groups, with catering for up to 120 and interactive theming to really get the party going!

Take the hassle out of your office Christmas party with our exclusive party packages. Included for just £50 per person is a festive arrival drink, three course meal, evening entertainment and venue theming. The perfect backdrop for a night to be remembered!

For smaller groups looking for a shared office Christmas Party, our Carnival Shared Night is taking place this year on Saturday 7th December. All groups are welcome – it’s the perfect one-stop-shop for a dazzling office party, or a decadent Christmas get together with friends, and anything in between!

Informal Office Parties 

Christmas drinks at Old Down

© Rebecca Faith Photography

For more casual office Christmas parties, try to avoid formal catering and dress codes. Let your guests relax into the evening with a smaller venue and buffet-style food choices. Moreover, avoid setting a theme and instead opt for more traditional festive décor for a cosy, wintery setting.

With exposed beams, rustic flagstone flooring and open fires, our converted Barn offers a charming backdrop for your Christmas party event. Relax with a mulled wine or cider arrival drink and celebrate with a choice festive buffet. Holding up to 100 guests, our Barn is the ideal setting for smaller, informal office Christmas parties.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a more quirky space for your office Christmas party, join us in Old Down’s atmospheric Cellar Bar for Christmas cocktails, nibbles and dancing! Situated on the lower ground floor of our Manor House, the multiple rooms intertwine to make for a fun and unique events space, with capacity for up to 80 guests.

Office Christmas Lunches

For companies looking to hold smaller-scale Christmas celebrations, a festive Christmas lunch could be a great option. With choice menus and a break from the office, Christmas lunches are a fun way to spend time with colleagues. An added bonus is that weekday Christmas parties usually mean more attendees and can often keep costs lower too.

Delicious Christmas dinner menu with these no-fail recipes that are sure to impress

At Old Down Estate, you can relax in beautiful surroundings and enjoy a two or three course meal in our stunning Manor House. Treat your staff to a decadent lunch menu, arrival drink and Christmas Crackers from just £25.50 per person! Tables of 10 or exclusive hire available.

For more information about any of our 2019 Christmas Party Packages, available dates or to book, please contact our Events Team on 03447 769380 or email info@olddownestate.co.uk