It’s that time of year that can strike fear into the hearts of many…the Christmas party season. Your liver starts to hurt at the mere mention of the word, but there’s also that little ‘elf-like’ excitement that’s bubbling under – ‘IT’S CHRISTMAS’!
How many parties do I have? Which one’s going to be the best? Am I going to the best ones? And what determines which are the best ones?
What’s the story of the season that you’re going to tell again and again? Which experience did you enjoy most?
Hopefully all your memories (or lack of) are of great, positive experiences during this festive time. At Jackanory we believe in the story behind experiences, creating something that will be talked about again and again; something that will go down in the fables of history. But what happens if you’re the one responsible for organising this much-anticipated Christmas experience? How do you go about creating this fabled event, I hear you cry?
Well there are lots of things you can do to ensure you get it right.
Time is of the essence. If you don’t plan your Christmas party then you won’t have anything worth remembering. It takes time to put on a good show, so think about the story behind it: Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? And when do you want to do it? Don’t be the team that has to do Christmas in January, that’s no fun for anyone! Think about what you have to spend and use it wisely. If you can afford to build Cinderella’s castle and have an ice skating rink outside it, don’t. You don’t have to spend millions have a noteworthy event. Think simpler and really focus on what you can achieve for your event/night within your budget. That leads me nicely to the next point – theming. Stories are created around memorable characters, moments, plots and endings. We believe that if you have a continuous thread through your party/night then people will have a more long-lasting experience that they will remember and talk about. Humans remember the little things; did I walk through a candy cane forest? Were there candy canes on the table? Have I got one as a reminder of my night? All these little touches serve a greater purpose – to create a story.
As it’s Christmas party season, we can’t really forget the main reason we’re here, to celebrate!
So think fun, fun, fun. Think differently. What are the essential ingredients that will create a fun night? No, not necessarily an unlimited bar for the evening (!) but simple things like bonding over a joint experience, good food, good atmosphere, doing something that creates a talking point. Don’t over complicate it, think about the real reason you’re doing the party. You’re not necessarily here to talk about how q4 ended…you’re here to celebrate, to let your hair down and to say thanks for the year. So remember that.
At Jackanory we love to have fun, we love to create events that are steeped in creativity and that leave you with a great tale to tell.
An event memory is for life, not just for Christmas.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas party for 50 or 500, we’d love to hear from you. At Jackanory we believe in the power of stories to create memorable and unique parties and events – for Christmas and beyond. Call us on 020 7470 8847 or drop us a line at lucy@wearejackanory.com