How to host the most epic End-of-Year
Celebration that becomes
the
Talk of the Town!
End-of-year events are an opportunity to round off the year on a high note with a celebration that not only shows your appreciation for your employees, but also enhances workplace culture and team morale.
So, no pressure… but this means you want your end-of-year soirée to be absolutely spectacular! We all know that one friend who works at a company that throws those out-of-this-world parties you see plastered all over social media. You know, the kind that makes you want to work there just for the Christmas party.
To help you plan a corporate Christmas party that rivals those, we’ve put together a few expert tips to ensure your event is equally iconic!
Advice from the Events Professionals – Everything you need to know
We get it—planning Christmas parties can be stressful. You feel the pressure for them to be successful and memorable, and everything becomes time consuming to coordinate, taking the excitement away all together.
That’s where we come in! We’ve planned thousands of epic Melbourne Christmas Events here at SRB over the years, so we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves for throwing a successful, unforgettable Corporate Christmas Party in 2024!
Seek your employees’ opinions
What feedback did you get from last year’s event? Was the location convenient? Were people left hungry? Was there a theme? Engage your guests early on—after all, the event is for them! Make it fun with vision boards, email chains, or suggestion boxes. Or, if your team loves surprises, keep them guessing—just make sure it’s a good one!
Mark the calendar — why booking early matters
Book your venue and set a date well in advance, giving your staff plenty of time to block it out. Remember, to host a good party, people actually need to show up. Give them enough time to RSVP, notify any plus-ones, and inform you of dietary requirements. Send out personalised invitations to create anticipation and give everyone something to look forward to during those last few months of the year.
SRB Tip:
Book the party for a regular weekday or night and consider giving them the next day off –- especially if it’s a night event. Weekends get super busy during the festive season, and you don’t want people leaving early or, worse, skipping the event altogether!
Your ideal event space – Choosing the perfect venue:
Choose a venue that aligns with the style and vibe you want for your event. Does the decor, furniture, and venue features match your vision? Consider if you want a theme, day or night event, a formal and elegant soirée or more of a casual event with relaxed vibes.
Considering the location is also important. Hosting your event in the CBD is usually a popular choice for big companies with many staff members spread across Melbourne.
Check out the venue’s packages they offer—what’s included? Event duration, drinks, food, styling and decor, tech equipment, complementary inclusions and personalised event coordinators are all things to consider.
And most importantly… the DANCE FLOOR! You need one that’s just the right size for your guest list—too big and it feels empty with zero atmosphere, or too small and it can quickly become a sweaty moshpit.
SRB Tips:
- A site inspection is a great way to envision your event in the space and ensure the venue is the right fit. Plus, you get to meet the person you’ll be working with closely during the planning process—make sure you click and feel confident knowing you’re in good hands!
- Look out for special offers or seasonal menu items such as Christmas desserts or cocktails that can add an extra festive touch
- Ensure the venue has the required tech and AV equipment for your presentations and entertainment
- Make sure the venue is easily accessible with ample parking, in close proximity to public transport and has uber and taxi access
A Feast to remember
Check the venue’s menu and ask if they offer taste testing. Do they have in-house chefs or external caterers? How accommodating are they with dietary requirements?
Read online reviews about the food quality and catering service. Does the food usually get eaten, will your guests be satisfied, or will they leave hungry? You’ll also need to decide if you want a sit-down meal or roaming canapés for a more casual cocktail event.
At SRB, our carefully curated menu offers a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes. Signature dishes like Pan Roasted Barramundi, Eye Fillet Steak, and Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank are just the guest’s favourites. Plus, we’ll work closely with you to ensure the timing of the food service aligns perfectly with your event’s formalities.
Give your night a Theme
Themes add so much character to an event when guests get really into their costumes, adding that extra excitement greeting everyone on arrival. Check out our Pinterest board for some epic ideas, or see our list below.
From speaking with many of our clients over the years, almost all of them absolutely love themed nights and agree they made them so much more fun and memorable! They’re great conversation starters and help break the ice between colleagues who may not know each other well, making your event feel more relaxed and enjoyable.
Imagine a James Bond-themed night: a sophisticated affair with guests dressed in their best suits and glamorous dresses as they enter the ballroom on a red carpet, cocktails on arrival, and a venue decked out like a scene from a movie with shimmering gold features, feathers decorating the tables surrounding the dancefloor, casino tables, entertainers and more!
- Harlem Nights
- Las Vegas
- Disco
- Italian Fiesta
- Old Hollywood
- Gatsby
- Tropical Paradise
- Circus
- James Bond Black Tie
- Masquerade
Elevate the Atmosphere – Music, Entertainment & Surprise Extras
Know your audience! The success of your event can hinge on the right music and entertainment to suit the bulk of your guests. If you have a mixed demographic, consider sending out song requests beforehand to ensure everyone’s preferences are covered. Acoustic acts and solo artists usually work well for daytime events, while upbeat bands or DJs are better for evening celebrations.
For that extra wow-factor, think about hiring unique performers like dancers, violinists, saxophone players or dummers, roving entertainers like circus acts or magicians, even a comedian or a special guest speaker. Again, ensure your entertainment aligns with your guest’s interests and preferences, as well as your theme – 80s rock bands for an 80s theme or feather-clad dancers for a Gatsby night.
Consider how else you can keep your guests engaged throughout the night. Activities are great for offering them something to participate in, such as trivia, scavenger hunts or voting for best dressed – incorporating a little competition between tables or workplace teams.
Personalise your event with things such as a company branded photo wall, giant photo frame or photo booth with themed props for guests to pass around—a great way to get your brand out there when guests share their photos. And for some additional festive spirit, place a christmas tree in the venue for them to add decorations to or pin their polaroid photos to.
SRB Tip:
Incorporate at least 1 unique activity and at least 1 ‘wow-factor feature’ to your event
SRB Upgrades:
– Prosecco, Aperol or Whisky Bar
– Oyster Station
– Prawns, Antipasto, Mezze
– Champagne Tower
– Late-Night Bites
– Affogato Bar and more!
Recommended vendor upgrades:
– Gelato cart
– Cannoli cart
– Photo Booth
– Seafood bar
(see links for recommended suppliers at the bottom of the page)
Setting the Scene in Style
The styling and decor will set the tone for the event, ensuring they reflect your company’s brand and the theme of the night, creating an atmosphere that’s festive and cohesive. Things such as unique and creative table settings with showstopping table centrepieces are a great place to start.
Personalising your decor such as welcome signs, table numbers, seating charts and stage decorations with either your company’s logo or colours will create a strong brand experience and generate brand exposure when guests reshare photos from the event.
The little things that go a long way
Thoughtful gestures like personalised gifts for each of your employees waiting for them at their seat – engraved mugs, wine glasses, diaries, or edible favours such as personalised cookie bags – really show your employees how valued they are.
Carefully planned seating arrangements can make all the difference, giving your employees the opportunity to connect and bond with other co-workers, whilst feeling comfortable and enjoying socialising with those on their table.
Wrapping Up
Planning an epic event doesn’t have to be daunting. At SRB, we’re here to help you every step of the way, ensuring you feel confident your event is a huge success in celebrating the year, thanking your team, spreading the Christmas cheer and leaving lasting memories.
Follow our expert tips (and better yet, host your event Melbourne’s iconic Events Venue!), and we promise your Christmas celebration will be one for the books!
SRB Recommended Melbourne Events Suppliers to get in touch with when planning your 2024 Christmas party and 2025 events
Styling & Event Décor
- Abra Events
- Pro Light and Sound
- A Peachy Affair
- Feel good Events (Great for themed events)
- M & H Events (Signage)
- JCAU Events
- Willow Tree Events
- Boutique Balloons Melbourne
- Floral Empire Melbourne – Artificial Florals
Music
Entertainment
Photography/Videography
Fun Extras
Photo Booths
Audio Visual
Transport
Or Email events@sanremoballroom.com.au