Christmas is traditionally a family time, when everyone gets together to exchange gifts and indulge in festive fun and frolics. Decades ago that used to be quite an easy task but now, with so many families spread throughout the UK and across the globe, agreeing a place to meet that suits everyone can be subject to prolonged debate.



If the agreed venue is a family member's house then the responsibility normally falls upon that relative to organise everything for their guests at an already busy time of the year. Subsequently, many people are simply unwilling to put up with the additional logistical burden and therefore seek venues such as hotels, restaurants or pubs where all parties can meet with the minimum of effort to exchange gifts and salutations safe in the knowledge that everything will be organised for them.

Similarly, office Christmas parties should be full of festive fun, with everyone feeling totally relaxed in comfortable surroundings while enjoying the best possible time. That is, of course, what everyone aims for when planning their office Christmas festivities but sometimes there is disappointment when party goers find that the venue that promised so much failed to live up to expectations.

So, whether it's on behalf of the office or your family, planning the perfect Christmas party starts with choosing the right venue. Not only should it be geographically convenient for all concerned, or easy to reach if transport is being provided, but it should tick a definite number of boxes. Can it cope with the size of your party? Do they have experience of offering Christmas parties and catering? Is reasonably priced accommodation available on site for those who wish to drink and therefore not drive? An additional number of other factors will also need to be considered depending upon the company or family organising the event, but start by ensuring that these basic considerations are met.

Next, making sure that the catering is to everyone's satisfaction is critical. Turkey plus all the trimmings followed by Christmas Pudding is almost obligatory fare for any Christmas meal, but what is equally important is that there are alternatives. Although the traditional Xmas fare may be OK for the majority of guest there will be others who because of ethical, lifestyle or religious beliefs (or simply because they don't like Turkey!) will need to be offered other options. Requests from vegetarians, coeliacs and those who need other special dietary requirements should be sorted well in advance and not left until the evening of the party.

Also, remember that not everyone drinks alcohol! So, if providing wine on the table make sure there are a number of soft drink alternatives. Thought needs to be given to suitable entertainment for your group, too, taking into account all your guests' tastes and sensibilities.

Serious thought should be given to whether to keep the venue local or whether to plump for a more exotic location including an overnight stay for your festive bash. A venue such as Alton Towers boasts two on-site themed hotels that both offer a choice of highly individualised and fun accommodation complete with restaurants set up to deliver top-class entertainment as well as tasty traditional Christmas fare. Plus, the venue boasts on-site facilities such as the Cariba Waterpark in which guests can happily work off their Christmas excesses. Of course, there are other venues such as Alton Towers, but it is merely an example of a centralised major attraction that is geared to handle Christmas Parties of all sizes and is sure to a fun venue.

However, you may equally well opt for a local pub, or even escape the country altogether and fly off to the sun, but wherever you choose by ensuring that everything is considered well in advance then your Christmas party should be set up to be enjoyed by all, and importantly organising it won't send you crackers!