Holiday parties compete with every other holiday party. From mid-November onwards your guests are triaging invitations, and the deciding factor is very often which one arrived first. Timing matters more here than for any other event in the year.
By the first week of December, most weekend dates in your guests’ calendars are already committed. An invitation sent on November 1 for a party on December 14 will get a materially better response than the same invitation sent on November 25.
If your date is a Friday or Saturday in the second or third week of December, treat early November as late.
The word "holiday party" covers a work drinks, a formal dinner, a family gathering and a house party, and guests will guess wrong. Say what it is, when it ends, and what to wear.
The dress question is the one people actually worry about in December, because the range runs from jeans to black tie. One line settles it.
A party starting at 7pm with canapés and a party starting at 7pm with dinner are different evenings, and guests need to know which so they can decide whether to eat beforehand.
This is also the season where "nibbles" is most over-promised. If it is substantial, say so; if it is not, say that too and nobody minds.
Secret Santa and similar exchanges only work when everyone knows the limit, the rules, and whether they are opting in. Putting all three in the invitation avoids the awkward gap between a $10 gift and a $55 one.
Make participation explicitly optional if the guest list mixes people with very different budgets — a work party in particular.
Christmas drinks Saturday, December 13, 7pm–late 9 Fitzroy Terrace Mulled wine, mince pies and a proper amount of cheese. Not dinner — eat something first. Come as you are. Please reply by November 30 so we know how much cheese.
Sandway Studio — Christmas Party Friday, December 12, 7pm–1am The Assembly Room, 4 King Street Three-course dinner, drinks and dancing. Partners welcome. Smart, but not black tie. Secret Santa is optional, $20 limit — say yes or no when you reply. Please reply by November 21 with dietary requirements.
New Year’s Eve Wednesday, December 31, from 8pm 77 Belmont Road Food at 9, champagne at midnight, sofa available after that. Stay over if you’d rather not travel — tell us and we’ll sort a bed. Let us know by December 15.
Early November for any December weekend. By the first week of December most weekend dates are already committed, so an invitation sent three weeks earlier gets a materially better response.
The date, start and end times, the venue, whether it is a meal or drinks, the dress code, whether partners are included, and any gift-exchange rules with a spending limit.
State the spending limit, the rules, and whether taking part is optional, all in the invitation itself. Ask guests to opt in as part of their reply so you can pair people once numbers are final.
Yes, and be specific. A 7pm start with canapés and a 7pm start with dinner are different evenings. Guests need to know whether to eat beforehand.
A small guest list where every single reply matters — and every dietary need has to be known.
Launches, away days and client dinners — with an attendance list you can hand to a venue.