It’s been a challenging year for many of us.  And while budgets are still tight, an office Christmas party is the perfect opportunity to boost morale, reward staff for their hard work over the year, and allow people to socialise outside the boardroom.So how can you create a Christmas party with maximum impact at minimum cost?  Our favourite catering company, Cinnamon Catering released these tips to hosting a seasonal shindig on a shoestring budget:

• Hold a party in the office, eliminating venue hire costs, expensive bar tabs, tiresome queues for the toilet, oppressive bouncers and transport.
• Deck the halls with handmade decorations – you’ll create a look that is cheap, cheerful and quirky.
• While three-course sit-down dinners are a popular option for Christmas parties, cocktails and canapés provide more bang for your buck.
• Visit venues offering all-inclusive packages that include extras such as lighting, theming and furniture.
• Look out for specials on alcohol now – a number of great deals are available in the lead-up to Christmas, so stock up early for that festive toast!  Or consider having a cash bar instead of an unlimited drinks package.
• Limit lavish extras – a great Christmas party doesn’t need to have a live band or magician. Remember, staff want to have fun and celebrate the festive season with their colleagues. 
• Australia has the ideal climate to enjoy a Christmas party outdoors, so host a barbecue by the lake or at a nearby park.

I’d like to add one more tip – there’s a real trend for staff Christmas parties to have a non-traditional theme right now.  Instead of expensive Christmas decorations, why not host a fun Vegas style party, a casual Christmas Luau or a fun sports themed day.  All of these fun party ideas are so much less expensive for you to host and no doubt will be just as fun for your team!  The Pink Frosting party shop has a huge range of themes for all through the year – maybe these will spark some ideas for you.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn