9 Steps to Planning your Annual Office Christmas Party in Sydney

Planning and organising an office party or corporate event can be a daunting task, but with the right checklist, you can stay on track and ensure successful office catering in Sydney. 

Checklists are also of great use in the unfortunate event that you fall sick or are unable to realise your planning responsibilities. A substitute can use the office catering checklist to see what has or hasn’t been planned and therefore take over to make that party happen.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you plan and execute your Sydney office party flawlessly. Here’s what we’ll cover:

  1. Budgeting
  2. Schedules and invitations
  3. Catering
  4. Theme, decorations, and party supplies
  5. Equipment and setup
  6. Activities
  7. Follow-up
  8. Finalise preparations
  9. Set up and enjoy

#1 Set up a budget for your annual office Christmas party

Setting a budget is the first step in planning any event. The nature of the occasion will dictate the items you need to consider and the amount of money you should allocate. For a casual birthday celebration, a budget of around $100 should cover the essentials, such as candles, a corporate cake, and a small gift.

However, for larger events like welcoming a new client or hosting the annual office Christmas party, you need to take into account additional expenses such as food, catering, beverages, decorations, and planned activities. Submit your proposed budget to the relevant department at least three weeks prior to the office Christmas party to ensure proper approval and make any necessary adjustments.

#2 Date, time, and invitations

Choosing the right date and time for your Sydney office Christmas party is necessary to guarantee maximum attendance. Check the company calendar and pick a suitable slot that doesn’t clash with any other important engagements. In order to streamline the process and gather availability information from your friends and colleagues, we suggest using a tool like Doodle or Hubspot, which provide a visual representation of everyone’s schedule.

Once you have finished the date and time, send out invitations to the potential attendees. Make sure to include essential details in the invites, like the dress code and any specific instructions or requirements for your office Christmas party.

#3 Catering

The easiest way to keep food under control is to choose a reputable premium corporate catering service in Sydney. With the occasion and budget in mind, browse through their corporate menus and consider factors like:

If you want to explore how to find a reliable catering company in Sydney, we’ve put together this expansive list of 21 questions to grill your caterer. Once you set your mind on the one you’re comfortable working with, place your office catering order well in advance, especially for seasonal events like the office Christmas party or Vivid Sydney.

#4 Theme, decorations, and party supplies

If you want to put some pizzazz into your office Christmas party, you can’t go wrong with a theme, matching decorations and party supplies. The possibilities are endless. Let your creativity go wild. Example: For the office Christmas party, why don’t you transform the boardroom into a winter wonderland with sparkling tinsel, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and themed dinnerware?

Go for decorations that align with your theme of choice and create an ambience that resonates with the goal of your office party. You’re planning the entire thing, so make it your own.

#5 Equipment and setup

A few weeks before the event, evaluate the technical equipment you’ll be needing for your event, in general, and your office catering, in particular. Does your office already have items like speakers, projectors, or screens? If not, make arrangements to either buy or rent them. Without reliable microphones and a decent playlist, there won’t be a karaoke sesh. This is also a perfect time to determine whether or not you’ll need extra tables, chairs, and dinnerware.

#6 Entertainment

If you want to inject some fun into your office Christmas party, plan engaging activities in keeping with the occasion. Purchase any required items in advance and let your guests know if they need to bring or wear anything specific to participate. Themed games and interactive elements are great options to make the office party more fun.

Pro tip: Be sure to inform your attendees about costume requirements or contests well ahead. This will work well in your favour as they’ll have ample time to prepare for the activity and participate fully.

#7 Follow-up

As the office Christmas party draws closer, it’s essential to follow up with your attendees and confirm arrangements with your Sydney corporate caterer and vendors. Send out reminders via email and make a courtesy call to the catering company to verify your order. This is also an opportunity to make any necessary additions or changes to your order, such as dietary requirements or number of guests.

#8 Finalise preparations

Don’t leave anything to chance! With the corporate event just around the corner, it’s crucial to ensure flawless execution. Put your preparations into high gear: Test any equipment critical to the success of your office Christmas party, verify the availability of all planned activities, and curate an irresistible music playlist. Prepare the office for the party by having it cleaned and rearranging the furniture as needed.

#9 Set up and have fun 

When the big day arrives, it’s all about the nitty-gritty and those finishing touches that make it shine. Pass the baton to your reliable teammates so you don’t carry all the weight. When the corporate catering service arrives, set it up just like we planned, and make sure folks know what they can munch on. Pause for a moment. Pat yourself on the back and join the fun with your pals!

Let Boardwalk Catering handle the food for your office Christmas Party in Sydney CBD

Boardwalk Catering provides a premium office catering experience in Sydney, exemplifying excellence. As holders of the esteemed Gold licence status, we are committed to delivering exceptional service by prioritising the use of fresh, seasonal produce. Our dedication to honesty, customer focus, adaptiveness, common sense, and attention to detail distinguishes us from the competition. 

Upholding the highest food safety standards, we have implemented 24-hour monitors for our fridges and freezers. Meticulous creation  of corporate menus and flawless execution of setups and arrangements are what our professional team excel at. They collaborate closely with you to create an office Christmas party experience that creates shock and awe. 

Choose Boardwalk Catering for a reliable and extraordinary catering service in Sydney. Call 0434 917 069 or send us an email at [email protected]

Parting thoughts

To create a remarkable experience, it’s essential to have a comprehensive office Christmas party and event planning checklist. Each step – from budgeting to decorations, catering, and activities – plays a vital role. Meticulous planning and attention to detail are the keys to success. So put on your event planner hat, follow our checklist, and get ready to blow your colleagues’ minds. Cheers to an awesome corporate event!