The Perfect Work Christmas Party

Like it or not, Christmas is now starting to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and with that comes the work Christmas party.

We will cover the gifts, the guides, the dinners, but all in good time as most importantly we need to sort the faff and stress of the works do.

If you haven’t already booked one (like myself) then we now have sufficient time to panic book, beg and plead for someone to let you into their fine establishment for Christmas shenanigans.

Large Works Christmas Party

For the big corporate office workers, the works Christmas party is one that gathers much excitement, and if it is offering a free bar, all of your friends will be gagging to be your plus one.

If you have over 50+ people attending a works party I can appreciate its hard to find smaller establishments to host you, I also know its a pain in the backside to try and get food orders from that many people – my thoughts are with you.

So what do you do?! Well, luckily for you there are numerous venues on the island that cater for larger groups, and whether you want to be the person to take it all on and organise the whole party down to the table decorations, or whether you’re like me, and would rather just pay to have someone else do it – I have options for both.

Although, I can’t promise they won’t already be booked up!

For the ones who would like to organise it themselves we are SPOILT for choice.

Venues: 1886, Cycle 360, Woodbourne House, Manx Fun Barn, the Nunnery – All BRILLIANT choices; there’s also a brilliant list here that Visit IOM have compiled.

Caterers: Many of these venues may have their own suggestions for caterers to come to their lovely venues, but here are some more if not – Oasis Catering, Woodbourne Kitchens, Isle Cook, Function Caterers, Wild Thyme and Taste Buds!

Decorations: Again, we are blessed to have some really brilliant people who LOVE this, and thankfully they do it as a day job! If it were down to me you’d all have blank tables but plenty of vino. Need a bit of festive sparkle and dressing added to the venue? Get in touch with The Event Stylists, Finishing Touches, or Zolo.

If you want the pre-set menu and let someone else do it, we have that covered too:

Comis Hotel, Ramsey Park Hotel, Coast, The Empress and of course the Palace.

Smaller Work Groups

For the smaller groups – I have a go to, and one that never fails – it’s called the 12 Pubs of Christmas.

The 12 Pubs of Christmas is a just a better version of the 12 days of Christmas.

I will get into my favourite route shortly, but first things first, the theme.

This is incredibly important to set the scene, you cannot have a 12 Pubs of Christmas without one, it just feels illegal.

My own suggestions:

• Nativity;
• Manx theme (Cav lookalikes and three legged cats welcome);
• Christmas Dinner (yes you can dress as an oven, it has been done);
• Iconic World Venues (I hope to see at least one person dressed as a Pyramid staggering down Strand Street).

12 Pubs of Christmas Route

Pub 1: The Railway – its an iconic choice and its an easy one for most to get dropped off to.

Pub 2: The Bridge – We make our way along the quay with hopefully the full works congregation – if not, you have full permission to tell them to GET A GRIP.

Pub 3: TO THE BRITISH! I feel festive just writing that. Get the rounds in, spread the Christmas cheer, and try not to wind up Sandra from accounts.

Pub 4: Kiki Lounge – Spoil yourself whilst you still care about what you’re drinking.

Pub 5: The Saddle. I feel this genuinely needs no introduction, other than if you haven’t ever participated in saddleoke, I can’t assist you on your Christmas night out quest.

Pub 6: The Front Porch. I have no doubts, it’ll be HEAVING, but I also know you’ll have fun.

Pub 7: Oscars. This tends to be where people start shying away or falling by the side, but don’t let them. The nativity isn’t complete without Mary and Joesph!

Pub 8: Nags Head. It will now take a turn, half the parties missing; Sandra has been offended by John, and Milly has done a runner, but don’t let that slow you down, the pilgrimage to Bethlehem is not yet finished.

Pub 9: Thirsty Pigeon. It is not Christmas without a trip to the Thirsty, or Odins Raven as its called now.

Pub 10: 1886. I know it has a massive queue, but it’ll be worth it to bump into the people you’ve spent the majority of the year hiding from, as you’re now too merry to care.

Pub 11: The Outback. This one is for the heroes. If you can remember getting this far; and know who else was there – you truly deserve an award.

Pub 12: Finally, if you really are to earn legendary status to the Casino you go. No it isn’t a pub. But for the old timers we would head here out of habit to Piano Bar, now Lookys!

Finish the night by going to one of the island’s many fast food establishments, getting your body weight in chips, cheese and gravy plus a big pizza.

Get your friends to pour you into a taxi and wake up in the morning promising to never drink again.

We have not done one for other towns and but do let us know what your list would be for other areas of the island.

If you missed last weeks edition of all things Christmas, you can find out all about Christmas Markets here.

Credit: Article was written by Charlie Morrey, Manx.news.