How to host a holiday party at a banquet hall

With the world opening back up and the holidays drawing nearer, we’re seeing a spike in holiday party inquiries. And while every corporate or even personal holiday party looks different, there are a ton of commonalities that make them so fun. Hosting a holiday party at a banquet hall has many benefits, including elevating your event, reducing stress for the host, and creating an unforgettable holiday atmosphere.

If you’ve been considering hosting your holiday party at a banquet hall this year, it’s time to start planning it, and we’re here to help you. Here’s how to host your 2022 holiday party at a banquet hall.

Step one: determine your goals and vision

Are you looking for an intimate and casual holiday party? Or perhaps you want an event that’s fun and loud, with entertainment, games, and an open bar. Maybe you want something that’s inclusive of families and small children, with Santa Claus hearing gift wishes and crafts station to keep kids occupied. Whatever type of holiday party you want to throw, a banquet hall can likely handle it. St. Joseph’s Banquet & Conference Centre has hosted many different types of holiday parties, from corporate black-tie fundraising galas to an afternoon with Santa.

Step two: book your venue early and start planning

Holiday parties are mostly held during the month of December, with just a few happening in November. With this very limited span of time, it can be hard to find an available date that not only works with the venue, but also works for you and your guests. So here’s our advice: book your event in early! The earlier you solidify your booking, the more peace of mind you’ll have about your holiday party. This is when you can really start planning.

Step three: focus on your menu

Every great party has one thing in common: there’s food, and there’s lots of it. You can opt for a fancy plated multi-course meal, or choose to have a cocktail reception style party instead with passed hors d’oeuvres, but whatever you choose, it’s important that you come up with a menu that will suit your event style and goals. We’ll work closely with you to determine what kind of menu is best for your holiday party, and we’ll ensure that the food is extra delicious on your event day!

Step four: determine the rest of the details

With a venue and catering booked, it’s time to look to the rest of the details that make your event come together. Consider things like entertainment (a Spotify playlist connected to speakers, live musicians, something more unique, etc.), decor (do you want to work with a theme?), and company or family specific details (signage, traditions, etc.). Holiday parties are not just for corporate groups, and not just for the family! You can make your holiday party into whatever you need it to be.

Step five: have fun and enjoy!

The most important step is to enjoy the holiday party you’ve put together and let us make sure everything goes well! For holiday party inquiries, contact us here.