Get your Christmas party perfect

USUALLY the best Christmas parties are those that skilfully merge a number of key fundamentals that range from good atmosphere, food, music and decorum. Getting this mix right will ensure everyone has a great time and the evening passes off in spectacular fashion.

Here’s a short (if slightly churlish) guide to the most important tips when it comes to staging your party.

1. Atmosphere: If it’s one thing a Christmas party needs more than anything else, it’s to know that it’s actually Christmas time. This might sound pretty straight forward but getting the atmosphere right can be the difference between a proper Christmas party and a regular Saturday night down the pub.

Most establishments that cater for Christmas parties are now putting up the tinsel earlier each year to help make parties more special. So why not check out in advance the best decorated establishments in your town, village or city? Getting the atmosphere spot on is essential for any Christmas party and you want your chosen location to make an effort

2. Food: Whether it is chips, sausage rolls or a five star gala dinner, knowing what kind of food is on offer beforehand can really help. Having a meal will naturally slow the pace of the evening’s drinking down (or at least it should) and can have many positive benefits as the night progresses. Whereas finger food, or a lighter assortment of food, is usually insufficient in terms of bolstering your reserves ahead of a night’s drinking. Be mindful of the range of food available at your party and drink accordingly. Fact.

3. Music: It really doesn’t matter how much you love Christmas, hearing Cliff Richard’s ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ for the 87th time on a night out just isn’t recommended.

Don’t get me wrong, Christmas songs make an important contribution to any Christmas party but just be mindful of the lethargy that usually sets in around 12am when the songs of Christmas past continue to play again and again.