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Book your party early ALTHOUGH it’s only October, planning for Christmas parties and festive dining out needs to start now. Restaurants, hotels and other venues soon get booked up as everyone makes their booking for this special festive of year. Whether you’re thinking of organising an office bash or just want to book a special lunch for the family, you need to think ahead and book now. All the party animals among us should start planning those Christmas parties this month! For anyone who likes a good night out, or who has been charged with organising the office party, now’s the time to do it. All the best hotels and restaurants are currently taking reservations, so decide where you want to celebrate and book early, then you can sit back, relax and wait for the fun to start. Most people enjoy eating out, especially at Christmas, so, with more than the usual numbers vying for space, it makes sense to get in early. If you’re the lucky person who’s arranging a big event for colleagues, you will need to be even more organised. Get everyone to commit to a certain day, then book with the restaurant or hotel of your choice. If the party is big enough, you may be able to book the entire restaurant. You can save time on the day by choosing the menu in advance. This also helps the restaurant with its preparation and ordering for large parties. Be prepared to pay a substantial deposit, which is
usually non-refundable, but booking early also gives people the chance to put money aside for the event. Even intimate gatherings need to be planned in advance. There’s nothing worse than having your hopes for a quiet celebration meal dashed because everywhere is packed out. So, whether you’re planning a
riotous celebration, or intimate dinner for two, the experience is special because of the time of year. If you have been kindly volunteered by the boss to organise this year’s Christmas office party then, instead of being filled with dread at the prospect, embrace it as an opportunity to score points with your boss and impress your friends
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and colleagues with your top-notch organisational skills. But where to begin? First of all, send a general email round the office to get an idea of numbers and what kind of event people are hoping for. It should be a democratic process at the end of the day, so you can be sure you are giving people what they want. It might be worth providing a few different ideas so people can choose. For example, you could suggest a simple meal out and a few drinks in a bar or pub or, at the other end of the spectrum, why not organise something really special such as a trip to the casino or a night at the races? Budget has to be a factor here, so make sure people are clear how much all this is going to cost. And coordinating the process via email also means you have it all in writing so people can’t back out once they’ve committed to joining in! Once you have a majority vote, then you need to get down to organising it. Venues get booked up months in advance for Christmas, so you’ll have to get your skates on to ensure you get the party you want. It is worth visiting a shortlisted selection of potential venues to get a feel for them, and maybe take someone along for a second opinion. After all, a venue you think is perfect might not be everyone else’s cup of tea, so get as many people involved as possible so you know you are thinking along the right lines. Have a chat with the chosen venue and see what the cost is going to be. When there are large numbers of people booking a party, then there are always deals to be done. After all, the venue is going to do very well out of people eating and drinking all night, so you might be able to negotiate a discount.
Next, you need to firm up arrangements with your colleagues, so again, send an email around with an outline of what the evening is going to involve and how much it should cost, together with some suggested dates. Give people a deadline for when they have to get back to you, as venues generally require a deposit fairly soon after a booking is made to guarantee it. Once everyone has confirmed and you have made a definite booking, send a final email around the office letting them know all the details. Also, make sure you confirm the booking with the venue a few days prior to the event, to ensure everything is in place. Now, all you need to do is turn up on the evening and bask in the glory of having organised the office’s most successful Christmas party ever.
Sometimes remember it can be nice to arrange an office get together in the New Year when booking is a little easier and as a nice treat into January. Many people are very busy with events in the run-up to Christmas and it can be difficult to fit everything in. Have a word with a local restaurant or hotel to see if they can do you a special deal for into the New Year. This carries the festivities over into the cold dark month of January and gives everyone something to look forward to. The only problem will be avoiding having to organise next year’s as well and even for many more years to come. If you make a good job of it, you could get the job for some time. Make sure you don’t miss out ... and book early!
Restaurant
84 Fitzwilliam Street Huddersfield Tel: 01484 516773 CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN STYLE AT BRADLEY’S RESTAURANT CHRISTMAS PARTY LUNCHES £13.50 PER PERSON Available - Monday 30th November Wednesday 23rd December Mon-Fri 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm
CHUTNEY MAHAL
Charcoal Tandori Indian Restaurant & Takeaway Full Licensed COME AND DINE WITH US - FIRST DRINK FREE WITH ORDER FRIENDLY, RELAXED ATMOSPHERE WITH SEATING FOR OVER 60 PEOPLE EARLY BIRD DEALS When dining in between 5:30pm -7:30pm BUY ONE MAIN MEAL, GET THE SECOND MAIN MEAL 1/2 PRICE
OUTDOOR CATERING SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS & PARTIES TAKE OUT SERVICE AVAILABLE FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £15.00 Within 3 Mile radius 10% DISCOUNT ON COLLECTION CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN
CHRISTMAS PARTY DINNERS £19.95 PER PERSON Available - Monday 30th November Wednesday 23rd December Mon-Thurs 6.00.pm - 10.00 pm Fri & Sat 5.30pm - 10.00 pm
WE ARE OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO VIEW OUR MENU’S PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.bradleyscatering.co.uk
Folly Hall, Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, (Opposite Grosvenor Casino) HD1 3PA 01484 532244 Mobile 07985 377047
www.chutneymahal.co.uk
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Try tastes from around the world this Christmas time WITH the countdown to Christmas 2009 well underway, now is the time to make sure you have all your festive fun organised. There’s a whole world of choice on your doorstep with tastes from all corners of the globe right here in our town. Huddersfield and surrounding districts are full of restaurants serving food from all over the world - so maybe 2009 is the year to try an alternative Christmas lunch or evening out? Why not enjoy some festive fare Indian or Italian style? Try a Mexican restaurant or a Chinese, Mongolian or vegetarian specialist? Although Christmas traditionally revolves around turkey and Christmas pudding, there’s no reason at all why you can’t branch out and try something a little different. You can never start planning too early and this is certainly
Fully licensed Restaurant & Take away Serving authentic Bengali & Indian Cuisine
Bookings Bookings now being being now taken for for taken Christmas Christmas THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS 2-Course Special Menu £9.90 per person
Open 7 Days Including Bank Holidays 5pm-11pm
Unit 2/6, Victoria Arcade, 9 Dunford Rd, Holmfirth, HD9 2DP Tel 01484 683882/685239
true when it comes to organising going out over the festive period. Whether you are planning a huge family reunion or an intimate gathering of close family and friends, it is best to start as soon as possible as all the good venues tend to get booked up early. If you’re planning to dine out on Christmas Day itself, then why not try something different as a family? Try and Indian restaurant for a change or go Italian or Chinese. Next, do your research. Check out as many potential venues as you can and where possible, visit them in person to get a feel for the atmosphere and the service. If you are wanting food to be provided then make sure you do a taste test so you know the food is up to scratch. Having established where you are having your event, make sure you let everyone know in plenty of time where and when
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it is being held and keep the venue informed about numbers. If you’re a vegetarian, you can still enjoy a great Christmas lunch out. Most restaurants and hotels include innovative vegetarian choices, even for the main days and menus over the festive period. If you’re organising a large gathering for your work colleagues, check when you book that the venue caters for all dietary requirements. Today’s experienced chefs find inspiration from all corners of the world to create tasty and inspirational food for non-meat eaters. This Christmas and New Year, why not try experimenting with your vegetable choices to
Christmas at the
Cedar Court Hotel Early Bird Christmas Party 20th November 2009 £19.95 per person
(includes a 3 course dinner and disco)
...so join us at the Pennine Manor for great entertainment, delicious Yorkshire fayre and a very warm Christmas welcome. Whether you are having a family get-together or office party we have all the ingredients to make your Christmas party one to remember! We still availability for Christmas Party Nights, Christmas Day and New Years Eve - but be quick! P E N N I N E
Take That tribute
27th November 2009 £28.00 per person
(includes the tribute act, disco and 3 course dinner)
Peter Kay tribute
2nd & 9th December 2009 £26.00 per person
(includes the act, disco and 3 course dinner)
Jingle Bell Rock
3rd and 10th December £25.00 per person
(includes live music, disco and 3 course dinner)
NETTLETON HILL ROAD SC APEGOAT HILL • HUDDERSFIELD HD7 4NH TEL: 01484 642368 e-mail: penninemanor@thedeckersgroup.com www.thedeckersgroup.com
tel: 0845 409 7517 Ainley Top, Huddersfield, HD3 3RH
H UDDE R S F I E L D / H A L I FA X
add imagination to your meals or try seasonal tastes like chestnuts, cranberries etc which can be used to create pies, pates etc. All good restaurants include a quality vegetarian dish in their Christmas menus. This is essential to cater for an ever-growing corner of the market. Gone are the days when a vegetarian had to put up with just an omelette or a veggie lasagne. Enjoy some great food choices this Christmas, either as a meat eater or a vegetarian Even if you’re going out to celebrate Christmas, it’s nice to experience other foods rather than the traditional turkey and all the trimmings. Try fish or other meat for a change, or go veggie and discover just how tasty and interesting non-meat dishes can be. Enjoy a Christmas meal with a different twist this year.