| Choosing entertainment for your Christmas party can | | | | acts have probably all worked at the venue before |
| be a daunting task. You have a group of 100plus | | | | so they'll know how to get in, set up and who to |
| people who never socialise with each other, generally | | | | speak to if there are problems. |
| only talk to the people they know and spend most | | | | If you're stuck for Christmas party entertainment |
| of the evening avoiding their boss! | | | | ideas here's a few |
| Not a situation that shouts fun! | | | | Drinks Reception Entertainment |
| There is however a simple solution, one that is often | | | | This can set the tone for the whole evening, if |
| overlooked or left until last in the event organising | | | | you're guests relax and talk to each other then |
| process, entertainment. | | | | you're going to relax too! So how do you break the |
| After organising entertainment for the last 13 years I | | | | ice? |
| can honestly say that entertainment can either make | | | | The best way to do this is with some 'Walkabout |
| or break a Christmas party and this depends on how | | | | entertainment' for example a Close Hand Magician or |
| much research is done by the organiser. | | | | Caricaturist. |
| Here's a checklist to help you choose the best | | | | Close Hand Magicians are great because they subtly |
| Christmas party entertainment for your company; | | | | mingle in with your guests, come up to small crowds |
| 1) Find out the average age of your guests (there's | | | | of people and draw in other guests to watch. This |
| no point in booking a DJ if you guests are over 50 | | | | means that by the end of the trick all the guests |
| and will probably leave straight after the meal) | | | | should be left laughing and commenting 'how did they |
| 2) Find out the average gender of your guests (if | | | | do that!' with someone they don't really know, in |
| most of your guests are female you probably won't | | | | effect breaking the ice. |
| want Belly Dancers!) | | | | Caricaturists do the same thing with the added bonus |
| 3) Are you guests bringing their partners? (If so you'll | | | | that you're left with a gift to put above the |
| need to make the entertainment more general so | | | | computer at work. |
| having a company quiz is probably out.) | | | | Entertainment after the main meal |
| 4) Ask you guests what they'd like (it sounds | | | | It's sometimes a fun idea to have a surprise element |
| obvious but simply asking your guests what type of | | | | to your evening and what better way to do it than |
| entertainment they'd like is sometimes the best way | | | | by having your waiters who have been quietly |
| to please the majority) | | | | serving you all night suddenly break into song! |
| 5) Find out your entertainment budget as early as | | | | This will delight all your guests, make them laugh and |
| possible (there's no point spending hours talking to | | | | stop people talking shop at the end of the meal. |
| Christmas party DJ's, bands, magicians and casinos if | | | | Main Christmas party entertainment |
| you know you've only got £100 to spend) | | | | This is the most exciting party of the entertainment, |
| When you get the answers from this checklist you're | | | | the main event! Will it be a Christmas party band or a |
| ready to start finding your entertainment. | | | | DJ, or if you can afford it, both. |
| Now comes the second conundrum, do you use an | | | | A Christmas party band adds a great live feel and if |
| entertainment agent, go directly to the acts or use | | | | they're good, can have the immediate effect of |
| the entertainment that your venue recommend? | | | | getting every dancing. A DJ will do the same but with |
| This can completely confuse the average Christmas | | | | the added bonus that they generally play for longer, |
| party organiser. | | | | although it can be a bit cheesier and generally it will |
| It's probably best to only go directly to the act if | | | | take people longer to get up and dance. |
| you're only having one entertainment act, think of all | | | | Other Christmas party entertainment ideas |
| the stress it's going to be having three or four acts | | | | Other ideas include Casinos and Belly Dancers which |
| calling you on the day asking the same questions! | | | | can be great if you have mainly male guests. Henna |
| This is where going with an entertainment agent can | | | | artists, Butlers in the Buff and Chocolate Fountains |
| help, the agent will look after all the acts so you | | | | are all better for female guests unless everyone is on |
| don't have to and they'll deal with all those small | | | | a diet! |
| questions that will just add to your stress! | | | | Remember, when you're guests are leaving the |
| If your venue does recommend an entertainment | | | | event, the biggest talking point isn't the food, |
| agent then it's probably best to go with this option, | | | | decorations, venue or the staff, it's the |
| they've been recommended for a reason and their | | | | entertainment. |