The dreaded work Christmas party!

[Miss Pitstop]

Right then chaps, I’m turning to you for inspiration!

I’ve got the dubious task of organising the work Christmas party and every year I ask the team for suggestions, and get next to nothing back. We tend to go out for a meal but a few of us think the format is a bit stale, so I’m after ideas for something different.

We are a team of about 25, aged from 30 – 55ish, male and female. We have some people who like to let their hair down and others who are more formal. We have all shapes and sizes and levels of fitness, and I’d say we have more shrinking violets than attention queens. We are Bristol based, most people in/around the Clifton area so anything within a reasonable taxi ride would work, or we could travel a bit further if it was worth it.

We don’t want to go to one of these events where they cater for 200 people and your group is lost in the crowd, and when we’ve gone out for a meal we try to get a private room so we can have fun and make noise without worrying about other guests. As we work in the medical profession, it’s awkward when you go to a restaurant and some of your patients are at the next table – the medics don’t really like that.

I’ve looked into a cocktail making lesson but that worked out at £30 p.p., before you add in other drinks, food and considerable effort to turn a white clinical space into a party venue. I guess budget wise I’m looking at £40 per head, all in. Date wise, we always aim for a Friday night (so nobody has to work the next day) so either the 11th or 18th December.

Any ideas, suggestions, or useful contacts you can throw into the pot? (Other than to become a Jehovah’s Witness and tell them all Christmas is cancelled!!)

Cheers all

Sarah

[mrmr96]

I did a Santa Crawl a few years ago. Basically a pub crawl, but with everyone wearing a santa outfit over clothes. Most people got theirs from Woolies for about £5. They were thrown away after due to being beer stained and smelly.


I know you said you have a few shy people in your group, but there is a strong 'safey in numbers' element when 20-30 people all run into a pub together dressed as Santa. Also, the beard gives you something to hide behind (although best removed when drinking pints, else it acts a a seive!)

So it's a bit outgoing, but still gives the shy ones some support.

[GavGav]

I know you specifically said you didn't want the big party where you get lost in the crowd, however, these Xmas parties are always pretty special...

http://www.hypepartyplanning.co.uk/news/news.asp?a...

You can be as rowdy as you want, and it's a bit different to the usual hotel/country club mass Xmas party. There's one at the Passenger Shed and one at the Paintworks. The way they transform the Passenger Shed has to be seen to be believed.

[AngryApples]

GavGav said:

I know you specifically said you didn't want the big party where you get lost in the crowd, however, these Xmas parties are always pretty special...

http://www.hypepartyplanning.co.uk/news/news.asp?a...

You can be as rowdy as you want, and it's a bit different to the usual hotel/country club mass Xmas party. There's one at the Passenger Shed and one at the Paintworks. The way they transform the Passenger Shed has to be seen to be believed.

Went to a Moulin Rouge party at Paintworks and it was an absolute blinder - fantastic organisation, good service, good food and the drinks were reasonably priced (plus there's a seperate, public bar up above it if you need to get away from the party)




ok, so the scantily clad laadies helped a litlle, but........

Edited by AngryApples on Friday 25th September 16:15

[GavGav]

AngryApples said:

GavGav said:

I know you specifically said you didn't want the big party where you get lost in the crowd, however, these Xmas parties are always pretty special...

http://www.hypepartyplanning.co.uk/news/news.asp?a...

You can be as rowdy as you want, and it's a bit different to the usual hotel/country club mass Xmas party. There's one at the Passenger Shed and one at the Paintworks. The way they transform the Passenger Shed has to be seen to be believed.

Went to a Moulin Rouge party at Paintworks and it was an absolute blinder - fantastic organisation, good service, good food and the drinks were reasonably priced (plus there's a seperate, public bar up above it if you need to get away from the party)

ok, so the scantily clad laadies helped a litlle, but........

Edited by AngryApples on Friday 25th September 16:15

Yep, that one was done by Hype Party Planning too. They know how to throw a party.

[Miss Pitstop]

Thanks for the suggestions, my only concern is that we have a wide social range from your admin girl up to consultant surgeons - not sure santa hats is their thing, sorry!

I'll go back to them on the bigger group, but my gut feeling is that a work party is a way of saying thank you to the team, and to get to know your colleagues away from the office, and I think you lose that in a bigger venue. I'll suggest it as an option though, thanks.

[Slagathore]

Clifton based?

Forget the meal and head straight to the Cori Tap and get on the exhibition

[mep12345]

Why not try the ice carting - the group is about the right size and you could split the races into competency and courage levels. Follow it with a few drinks and bob's your uncle.