The festive party season is almost hereโget ahead now with smart gifting, stylish cards, standout venues and healthy yet indulgent catering. PA Life Winter 2025 Issue (pages 24-35) includes a great guide to help you pull off festive celebrations that dazzle without drama…
With December fast approaching, nowโs the moment to tie up the loose ends that turn a good festive party or event into an exceptional one. Letโs walk through what to lock in before the clock strikes Christmas.
1. Gifting & concierge services
Think bespoke, memorable giftsโluxury hampers or artisan pieces that reflect your companyโs style. Fortnum & Mason Concierge Service offers beautifully wrapped corporate gifts that stay with people. Also look at sustainable items within the bespoke hampers, and make the gift personal and extra special. And donโt forget wineโyou can rarely go wrong with a fine bottle of something special, and Laithwaites have a perfect bottle for every occasion.
2. Personalised Christmas cards
Sending a Christmas card still countsโand the details matter. Choose cards with your branding or message, consider personalised elements, curated designs and ensure mailing deadlines are met. Custom cards create connection in a digitally overwhelmed season. Moonpig for business makes sending personalised card at scale a breeze.
3. A variety of party venues
Think out of the box if you are looking for more than a hotel function room to bring your teams together this season. A more creative space is a great stage for colleagues to connectโTwist Museum in London would certainly tick that box. You canโt go wrong with a great restaurant either, and Hawksmoor are famed for their delicious sea food and steaks, all sustainably sourced. Most of us like venues with character, and itโs important to remember to consider factors like lighting, acoustics, ease of access, parking or transport, and whether decorations or staging are included.
4. Exceptional, healthy catering
Festive food neednโt mean overindulgence. Caterers like Pure and Bite Me Burger impress with seasonal, sustainable, locally-sourced menus, mixing indulgent festive flavours with lighter, health-minded options. They also offer nutritious lunch options for your meetings boxes, quality ingredients with sustainability at heart. These decisions support wellbeing and ensure guests feel good, even after dessert.
Final prep tips
โข Orders in early: Gifts, cards, decoratorsโall are busy now. Lead times stretch.
โข Double-check dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options should be embedded in your catering menus.
โข Confirm logistics: Transport, AV, room layoutsโmakes a difference when guests arrive.
โข Set the tone with extras: Check with the venue whatโs included. Little touches like themed welcome drinks, festive dรฉcor, curated playlists, or wellness breaks can lift an event from corporate to memorable.
By nailing these details nowโgifting, cards, venues and cateringโyouโll free up time
later for polishing, enjoying, and perhaps even relaxing. Hereโs to celebrations that sparkle, logistics that behave, and moments people wonโt forget.
