MORE THAN 12 WAYS OF CHRISTMAS: FESTIVE EVENTS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Written by: Sue - 28^th November 2018

There may be twelve days of Christmas but there are certainly more than 12 ways to do Christmas. Each country to celebrate has unique traditions and - let's admit it - our own eccentricities. In Germany, for instance, Christmas kicks off on the 5th with Nikolaustag and a visit from the mysterious Nikolaus.

The character isn't a familiar name in this country, but German children await his arrival with squealing anticipation, leaving boots outside their door to be filled with treats and delights.

In Hungary - the big festive feast falls on our Christmas Eve when favourite delicacies of fish, fish soup, stuffed cabbage and poppy bread are served.

In Spain - did you know that as midnight strikes on New Year's Eve it is customary to quickly eat 12 grapes on the strike to bring good luck?

In Ireland - instead of leaving out milk and cookies for Santa, or a mince pie with a carrot for his helper Rudolph, it is tradition to lure him down the chimney with a Christmas pud doused with Guinness or Irish Whiskey.

In Jamaica - meanwhile - their vibe is to pour out onto the streets for dancing and a parade in vibrant masquerade costumes with masks for their Christmas shenanigans known as Junkanoo.

Just as the world tells us there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to Christmas, there is no 'one-solution-fits-all' approach to festive corporate events planning. Guests increasingly expect and appreciate more personalized happenings, in spaces which enable enduring connections; in unexpected spaces; in memorable venues.

The hotel ballroom is a traditional choice of setting, of course, and can prove amazing; particularly if the architecture, interior design and outdoor landscaping are breathtaking and perhaps evocative of another time - such as at the Jacobean Crewe Hall in Cheshire or Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh which dates back to the 1720s.

Even in the most traditional of spaces, event planners will recommend transforming the party experience by injecting unique touches: install pop-ups or interactive stations for a more personal feel, swap festive trimmings for more unusual world flavours and instead of the pop act, why not an oompah band or something else unforgettable? The hotel ballroom can be magically transformed with imaginative styling - into a Victorian fairground experience, just for example.

Beyond the hotel setting, our partner Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events are masters of the distinctive and memorable space. With this year's inspiring offering, their message is 'why not party?':

On the water ... by drifting down The Thames as festive city lights sparkle around everywhere you turn, or amidst the majesty of an ancient town like Windsor with Bateaux London.

In a museum ... with a fitting theme of nostalgia such as the Vintage Party Nights at London's Imperial War Museum where land girls will drag up The Home Guard for a dance to Chattanooga Choo Choo.

In a beautiful garden ... like the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, where the unique outdoor environs are integral to the party space and encounter.

Whilst there is a luxury of time in which to ponder the possibilities for next year's gathering, experienced events professionals will advise making the decision before summer to clinch the best dates and venues. If time has romped away relentlessly, it is still worth contacting the Calder team to discover what last minute opportunities might fit the bill.

Even latecomers should try to go to the Ball, as the annual Christmas gathering is the chance to recognize and reward the team for the past year's performance and then to motivate and keep everybody on message for the coming year.

If the get-together blows away the cobwebs, inspires and fortifies in a quirky and surprising manner compared to past years, then the message and impact will continue to ring, pipe and drum away in the team memory for far longer.