Christmas party ideas for work on a budget

Not every company has a big pot for the Christmas party. Plenty of teams are working with a budget per head that wouldn't cover a starter at a London hotel. The good news is that a lot of what makes a work Christmas party fun costs very little.

Here are some Christmas party ideas for work that stretch the money further, and a couple of places where spending a bit more pays off. None of them involve cutting the fun.

Be clever with the date

This is the single biggest saving. Venues charge most for Friday and Saturday nights in December because that's when everyone wants them. A Monday to Thursday, or the first week of December, can bring the price down a lot, and you'll have a better choice of venues and entertainment.

January parties are worth thinking about too. Venues are quiet, deals are easier to find, and your team gets something to look forward to after the festive rush.

Go for lunch

A Christmas lunch is usually cheaper than dinner at the same restaurant, and people drink less, which keeps the bar bill down. Finish around four and people can carry on at the pub if they want, at their own expense. It still feels like a proper do if you dress up the table and make an occasion of it.

Use the office

If you've got a decent space, a party in the office can be great. Clear the desks, put up some lights, order in food and get a playlist going. A bring-a-dish buffet where everyone contributes something festive is cheap and gets people talking about each other's cooking.

Check your building's rules first, and make sure someone's in charge of tidying up. Nobody wants to come in on Monday to a sticky floor.

Make your own decorations and atmosphere

A few strings of fairy lights, some greenery and candles in jars transform most rooms, and you probably already have half of it at home. Ask the team to bring in spare decorations for the day. It turns setting up into part of the fun.

Music is free too. Make a shared playlist and ask everyone to add two songs. Play it on a decent speaker and you've got background music that everyone feels part of.

Free and cheap games

Games cost next to nothing and fill time brilliantly. A Christmas quiz, guess the baby photo, Who am I with sticky notes or a Secret Santa swap all need nothing more than paper, pens and a bit of preparation. Our list of Christmas party games has plenty more, with instructions.

A cheap trophy and a box of chocolates as prizes will make people more competitive than you'd believe.

Ask venues the right questions

Many restaurants and pubs will waive a room hire fee if you meet a minimum spend on food and drink. Ask about that before agreeing to anything. Some will also include crackers, decorations or a glass of fizz on arrival in their Christmas menu price, which saves you buying them separately.

Don't be shy about asking for a better deal on a quieter night. A Tuesday booking in early December is good business for a venue, and they'll often meet you halfway. Get two or three quotes and compare like for like.

Check what the deposit is and when the final numbers are due. That way you're not paying for people who drop out at the last minute.

Where it's worth spending

If you have a bit of money to put somewhere, put it into the thing that turns a meal into a party. For most teams, that's entertainment in the first hour, when people are still standing in their usual groups.

A close-up magician typically costs £350 to £700 for two to three hours at a Christmas party, which for a team of 40 or more works out at a modest amount per head. They'll get people mixing, give everyone something to talk about and make the night feel special. Have a read of our price guide for more on costs.

The other place to spend is food. A hungry team is a grumpy team, and decent food goes a long way.

Cut the extras nobody notices

Branded napkins, elaborate centrepieces and a big screen nobody watches. Most people won't remember them. They'll remember the company, the food and the laughs. Spend accordingly.

And if your company really can't stretch to much, a simple gesture still counts. An afternoon off, a box of mince pies on every desk and a handwritten thank-you card from the boss mean more than people expect.

Secret Santa, but cheaper

Set a low limit for Secret Santa, five or ten pounds, and make it a game with the steal-and-swap version where people can pinch an opened gift. It costs the company nothing, it's fun to watch, and the cheap and silly gifts are often the ones people fight over. Ask everyone to keep it work-appropriate.

Combine with other teams

If your team is small, join forces with another department or a neighbouring business in the same building. Splitting the cost of a venue, food and entertainment between two groups makes everything cheaper per head, and you might find you get on rather well with the people upstairs.

Keep the spirit of it

In the end, a work Christmas party is a thank-you. People don't need a big production. They need to feel appreciated, have a laugh with colleagues and maybe see a different side to the people they work with every day. That's very achievable on a small budget, and with a bit of thought it can be the best party you've had in years.