THE FESTIVE SEASON

How to plan a christmas party Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Planning the work Christmas party often lands with someone who already has a full-time job. You’re suddenly expected to find a venue, make a budget work, account for everyone’s dietary needs and create an evening people will actually enjoy. The good news is that you don’t need to have every detail worked out before you start. Here are the questions we hear most often, and how to tackle them. When should we start planning? As soon as you know you want to host one. Popular December dates and venues can book up early, particularly Thursdays and Fridays. Start by agreeing your approximate guest numbers, budget and preferred dates. You can refine the creative details later. If you’re planning at shorter notice, flexibility helps. A midweek lunch, an early evening celebration or a January party can give you more options. What should we decide before contacting venues or caterers? A short brief is enough to get a useful conversation going. Include: Your estimated guest numbers Preferred date or date range Approximate budget Whether you want a lunch, drinks reception or evening party The kind of atmosphere you have in mind Any requirements for speeches, entertainment or accessibility You don’t need to know the menu yet. A good event partner can help shape the experience around your brief. How much should we budget? Think beyond the cost of food and drink. Depending on the venue and format, you may also need to allow for venue hire, staffing, furniture, equipment, production, entertainment, transport and VAT. Decide whether your budget is a total figure or an amount per person, and be clear about what it needs to cover. This makes proposals much easier to compare. It’s also sensible to keep a small contingency for changes to guest numbers or the running order.

Celebrate the festive season thoughtfully. Discover how Caiger & Co creates joyful, sustainable feasts using seasonal British produce and low-waste principles.

Throwing the party of the season depends mainly on the details – these can make or break your big event, and take you from relative unknown to social butterfly in no time.  In addition to a great location, cute decorations and the right food, there is one other expert who you need to have by […] The post The difference the right mixologist can make to your upcoming party appeared first on Caiger & Co Catering.

The most wonderful time of year is almost upon us – but many vegetarians find themselves wondering whether they will find a tasty treat at the Christmas dinner table. All too often, we associate the festive feast with glistening turkeys, pigs in blankets, and a mountain of meat-based dishes – but the good news is […] The post 5 tips for vegetarian or vegan Christmas catering appeared first on Caiger & Co Catering.

Christmas is almost a season in its own right these days. Maybe it should go autumn, Christmas, winter, spring? Maybe. We love Christmas for lots of reasons, not least because there’s so much great produce around at this time of year, wonderful traditions to engage & get creative with, and it’s a time to celebrate […] The post Christmas Dining appeared first on Caiger & Co Catering.