Get your office Christmas party off to a pop

IT'S that time of year again; the festive lights have been switched on, the secret Santa draw has been made and it's time to start planning the office Christmas party.

If you've been put in charge of organising the annual bash and are stressing about living up to your colleagues' high expectations, fear not, there are many ways you can get the festive period off to a bang, including lavishing your guests with bottles of personalised wine.

Organising a party is notoriously stressful, especially with individuals demands flying in left, right and centre and what seems like millions of things to arrange in such a short space of time. However, there are many ways of coping with all this stress. Here are some tips to help you host the event of the year.

Draw up a checklist

If you've been put in charge of your company party, a great starting point is to draw up a checklist of what needs to be booked and bought, with a list of deadlines. When choosing a venue, look for somewhere that caters for all your needs and will provide a suitable space for the theme and format of the evening; if you're having a formal sit-down meal, a quirky venue will probably not suit but if you're just having drinks and nibbles, why not take inspiration from the festive classic Love Actually and opt for a venue with a difference, such as a modern art gallery?

Discuss ideas

You may be brimming with the most incredible ideas but all your work mates may not share your enthusiasm, so it's a good idea to sit around a table and throw some ideas out there to gauge the reception.

Try and get an idea of the kind of party people want and then you can put your own stamp on it. It's also a good idea to get your finances in shape; keep an eye on your budget and make sure you know exactly what needs to be done with the money you have got.

Add a personalised, exclusive touch

Everyone is familiar with the run-of-the-mill office party; buffets, too much drinking and somebody going over the top, but you can make your event really stand out without it costing the earth or being a mammoth task. The party is the culmination of a year of hard work and commitment and it's right that it should enable everyone to let their hair down and have a great time, so why not push the boat out and crack open some bubbly bottles of personalised champagne?

Not only will this get the party started but it will also provide a touch of class and exclusivity to the evening. Why not run with this theme and choose further amazing personalised gift ideas available on the Internet to fill your goodie bags?

Ensure your party runs smoothly

In order to avoid being bombarded with questions, text messages and emails about the party, make sure you include as much detail as possible on the invitations and send them out in plenty of time to give people time to plan ahead and RSVP in advance. Include details about the times, the format of the evening and the venue and don't forget to offer advice for the dress code, especially if there is a theme. If you have a policy on plus ones, make sure this is clear, as you don't want people turning up without an invite.

The office Christmas party is a great opportunity to celebrate the year just gone and bring in the festive season with a bang. Although organising a party can be hard work, it will all be worth it when you see your colleagues having a brilliant evening, so follow the simple steps above to ensure that you host a memorable, fun-filled night.