How to Throw a Christmas Party When You Are Self-employed

I love being self-employed. I love the freedom to pick my work hours. The freedom to drop everything and go to school events. The freedom to choose my clients and ensure they align with my values. But at Christmas it kind of sucks. No office party. No parties at all! No Secret Santa. No unflattering photos of you wearing reindeer antlers.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about being self-employed it’s that EVERYONE is usually having the same thought as you about self-employment.  I started Self-employed Team Building Socials because my small business chums were also looking for activities and networking opportunities that provided them with “me time” as well as meeting other local small business owners.  You can guarantee many of your networking group are wistfully praying to get invited to a Christmas Party.

How to Throw a Christmas Party When You Are Self-employed :

Group Dining:  This can be a lot of planning, you need to book a venue, decide on a menu and a rough budget, take multiple payments from everyone who is attending. It can also be a nightmare to get everyone to decide on a date. Sites like Square Meal are a great place to find lots of different party venues and the concierge service means they can take all the hassle out and do the leg work for you.

Entertain the Children : As Lemur Linkup is a family-friendly networking group and we meet at a soft play centre we have organised Laser Tag one evening for the children a few days before Christmas. A chance for the kids to play whilst us mums have a natter and mince pie.

Pay-as-you-go Brekkie : For the last few years Samantha Prewett Photography as organised a Christmas breakfast at the Toby Carvery for us, at the beginning of December (before you get overwhelmed by the masses of school events) on a weekday at 9:30am. Samantha books a table but we all pay and select our own breakfast (to suit everyone’s budgets) on the day, plus we all bring a Secret Santa gift to the value of £5.  This is a really flexible way to do things as you are responsible for yourself there’s no one stressing about payments or people not turning up.

Photo credit Jo’s Healing Cabin.

Gatecrash Another : Only kidding! But you will find that many hotels organise shared Christmas Parties with a set menu, everything is arranged, food, entertainment etc. or you do is pay for your space so you can have as many or as few of your small business friends with you as want.  Perfect for small business owners or small teams who couldn’t afford to put on a whole bash themselves.  Back in 2009 we did this with Networking Mummies.

Book an Activity : If you are feeling crafty there are so many Christmas opportunities out there, wreath making, creating bath bombs or even Christmas cards. A lovely way to spend time with your small business chums but also make something lovely at the end.

Christmas is the perfect time to get dressed up, now who doesn’t enjoy looking pretty? Treating yourself to a new party dress, have your nails done or consider having your teeth whitening with Highland View dentistry. Also, a great excuse to update your make-up box! Although in reality, I don’t need an excuse to make treat myself to a haircut or my nails done! Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury, but Christmas is a good excuse to go all out!

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