How To Plan a Christmas Party

Look at What’s Already Out There

The key to any successful event is standing out from the crowd. 

A unique idea is like a hook that draws people in, piquing their interest and spurring them on to buy tickets. 

Now, you might be thinking: unique ideas come around once in a lifetime. How can I possibly come up with one on the fly?

Well, it all starts with a little bit of research. 

Take a look at what types of events are happening in your area and see how you can offer something different. Maybe you’d like to bring a community feel to your event, giving young children and families a chance to create their own Christmas decorations. 

Or maybe you’d like to put a fresh spin on a classic idea by hosting a quiz, but with Christmas-themed music and films as the topics rather than traditional general knowledge. 

Manage Your Finances

It’s time to see whether you can make that idea a reality. 

Finances are crucial to event promotion. No matter whether you’re a newcomer or a stalwart of the industry, you’ve likely seen or heard stories of people blowing their finances and sinking as fast as they started. 

Which definitely doesn’t bring to mind Christmas cheer. 

First, consider your fixed costs and variables. Fixed costs are non-negotiable things like site or venue hire, sound systems, stages, catering, performers, energy and staff costs. Variables are expenses that fluctuate with your event’s size, such as per-attendee costs for catering and supplies.

So, draw up a plan of everything you’ll need to consider, as your budget will help you set ticket costs and combat overspending. For more information, tap the button below to read our article about budgeting. 

Choose a Venue

The right venue can make or break your event.

After all, a family-oriented arts and crafts event would feel out of place in a basement club, and a lively Christmas rave might feel lost in a quiet, cosy cafe, wouldn’t it? 

We’re slightly exaggerating the point, there. But no matter whether you’re promoting a rave or a family event, you’ll need a space that fits the atmosphere and allows you to deliver the event successfully.

But what do you need to consider?

Think about the capacity of your event and whether the venue has enough space to cater for that. Then, consider lighting, sound and seating options. Will those need to be rented? Then, think about accessibility and proximity to public transport, a venue that’s near attendees and one they know will entice them to make a purchase.

Consider Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships can be a game changer for event promoters. 

In the festive season, companies will be eager to get their name in front of potential new clients, which could benefit you financially and help you bring your event to life. 

When you’re thinking about potential partners, try to find brands that align with your event. If you’re operating at the local or community level, approach fellow local businesses. 

Our Head of Partnerships, Duncan King, advises: “Think about what businesses are popular and local to your event – car dealerships, gyms, bars, restaurants, clothing stores and beauty salons, for example – as these are all worth approaching.”

As a local event promoter, you can partner with multiple businesses, unlocking increased funding, broader marketing opportunities, and valuable networking connections. You’ll build relationships with other people in the area, which can only help your event. 

Fancy reading more about sponsorships? Head HERE to read our interview with Duncan.

List Your Event on Skiddle

So, you’ve got an idea, booked a venue and maybe struck a few brand partnerships for your event. 

It’s time to list your event. 

This is where we come in. Signing up for the Skiddle Promotion Centre is 100% FREE and lets you create an event listing, set up ticketing options, and access our market-leading features such as RapidScan, Waiting List and Remind Me. 

At a Christmas event, you’ll be responsible for the safety of all your attendees. RapidScan can assist you with this. You’ll be able to scan a ticket per second, get real-time updates on who has entered the venue and check whether tickets are valid. 

Unlike some of our competitors, we don’t make you wait for authorisation when listing your events. That means you can sign up and have your event live within the day. 

Click HERE to get started. 

Promote Your Event

Promotion is everything when you’re trying to draw a crowd. 

Before you get started, think about the social media platforms where your audience hangs out. Are they likely to use Facebook and Instagram over TikTok, for example? Once you’ve figured that out, you can begin to create content. 

No matter what platform you prioritise, we advise sticking with the 80/20 rule, where 80% of your content is valuable, entertaining or informative and 20% is promotional – which means general or performer announcements. 

One way to make your promotional content stand out is through eye-catching assets. Take ticket announcements, for example. Displaying ticket availability as a percentage graphic helps showcase your event’s popularity, encouraging customers to secure their tickets before they sell out.

Want to discover more about social media promotion? Head below to read our interview with our Social Media Manager, Olivia Murphy. The Promotion Centre blog also has lots of articles to help you with promoting your event. Read them HERE.