Ah, Christmas. The time of the year dedicated to gift-giving, gift-opening, and saving the receipts for gift-returning. Frankly, it is one of my personal favourite holidays — there really is no better occasion for consuming an unholy amount of chocolate and eggnog. Lactose intolerance be damned.
When choosing the perfect venue for your Christmas event, there’s a lot of things to consider, starting with everyone’s most cherished pastime: crunching the numbers.
Figuring out the Figures
The first step is always the most daunting, I know.
When planning the perfect Christmas event, you’re first going to want to consider exactly what you’re looking for — is it a cosy get-together with close friends and family, a corporate holiday party, or perhaps something in-between?
Once you’ve decided upon the type of event you want to host, you can figure out the potential number of guests. That should in turn help you settle upon a budget — and then, you can begin to really narrow down your options.
Location, Location, Location
The second most important thing in venue-choosing is the location. You will want a place that is convenient for your guests whilst still being absolutely epic and containing all of the necessary amenities.
Think about parking, public transportation, and even nearby accommodations if people are coming from out of town. Attendees will need to easily get to the venue, especially if it’s the sort of event where they’ll need to wear fancy footwear (be it heels or roller-skates, my two personal favourites).
Once you’ve settled on a general location, you can really start to hone in and check out your options (that’s also how I navigate the dating scene, funnily enough).
Choose the Pretty One
(Yes, this is also how I navigate the dating scene, thank you very much for asking.)
Anyway, once you’ve gotten your numbers and location sorted, you can start to look for a space that really matches your vibe. If you find your mind wandering towards a traditional Christmas feel, then a venue with a warm, inviting atmosphere and lots of Hallmark-movie-esque decor might be perfect.
Alternatively, you may be looking for somewhere a bit more modern, or quirky. Unique features can both set the right tone and make sure that your guests’ Instagram pages will be pure fire post-event.
Then, don’t forget about the amenities. Depending on what sort of tone you’re going for, you’ll want to see if the venue provides things such as linens or audio-visual equipment or kneepads (sorry, my mind is still on the roller-skates), and act accordingly.
After that, check whether the size of the venue is good for you. You might even consider visiting in person to really visualise how everything will flow on the day of the event.
In regards to food (everyone’s favourite subject, probably), some places offer catering services with varying levels of specialisation, allowing you to develop your event in the exact way you see fit. If you have a specific theme or menu in mind, make sure your venue has the capability to match it.
Final Questions
Once you’ve got all of the above sorted, you’ll want to think about those little details that make a big difference. For example, are there any restrictions on decorations or music that might affect your plans? And more importantly, is there a nice spot for taking photos?
Bearing in mind that the event will be hosted during the wintertime, key considerations will be slightly different to a summer event. Does the venue have a coat check for those heavy winter jackets? Will the space be warm enough? Do you plan on serving hot beverages to keep spirits high whilst the temperature drops?
Choosing the perfect venue for your Christmas event might take a bit of extra love and care, but then again, the best things always do. Once you find the right venue, everything else will start falling into place, and you’ll be well on your way to hosting the perfect Christmas event. Frankly, I can’t wait.
