Get a great deal from your venue

Make a shortlist of the venues that your staff will really enjoy, then start shopping around. The most popular venues get booked up early, so you want to stay ahead of the game by securing your first choice before the competition. At this time of year, most venues will have already launched their Christmas party packages and there are deals to be done for early bookers; everything from free Prosecco and nibbles on arrival to complimentary drinks vouchers. With such great savings available, it’s an excellent incentive to book early.

Secure the best entertainment

Whether you want a great DJ, a rip-roaring tribute band or a classical string quartet, it's crucial to book early to get the very best. All the top acts are booked well in advance, so by getting your event organised early you're ensuring your company Christmas party will be a great success.

Create a fabulous theme

Event planning takes time, so by getting started early you can develop a fantastic themed event with all the trimmings. There are a host of elements involved in theming and an abundance of items to be purchased or designed. Leave it too late and many products may be sold out or won't be produced in time for your party. Plan in advance and get the best products on the market at the best price.

Raspberry Rhubarb is an events business based in Aylesbury, operating worldwide, with experience of delivering a wide variety of corporate events including conferences and meetings through to Christmas celebrations and other seasonal parties.

Christmas events and parties with an eco difference

The Green Dragon Eco Farm and Conference Centre is a great venue for Christmas parties, meetings and events. Within its timber-framed, vaulted events room or its modern contemporary restaurant, your party can feast on the delicious food that is prepared using the freshest ingredients grown and produced on the farm and all in keeping with the farm’s eco, sustainable and well-being ethos. Highlights from the Christmas meal this year include turkey with wild mushroom, cream and brandy sauce and three pork plate; braised chops, medallion and roasted loin on a bed of apple and celeriac mash.

You can also choose some team activities to compliment your event, such as a group Christmas recipe cooking session. The Green Dragon will happily tailor-make an activity to suit your event - indoors or outdoors on the farm!

The Green Dragon is offering all Buckinghamshire Business First members a 10% discount for Christmas bookings made before Monday 31 October. Call now on 01296 670 444 or visit http://greendragonecofarm.co.uk/corporate/welcome-to-the-green-home-page/.