Fun pre-Christmas party ideas for small groups
Small Christmas parties with a small group offer flexibility and opportunities for more personal togetherness. Smaller groups of 5-15 people can enjoy diverse activities without large advance booking requirements and experience memorable moments together. A more intimate atmosphere enables everyone’s participation and genuine presence. Here is a comprehensive guide to organizing Christmas parties for small groups, including activity ideas, budget tips, and combinations of dining and experiences.
What are the best activities for small group Christmas parties?
The best Christmas party activities for small groups are interactive and participatory experiences that enable genuine togetherness. Glow bowling is an excellent choice as it suits players of all levels and combines playful competition with relaxed socializing. BowlCircus offers 20 quality bowling lanes and an atmospheric environment where the entire group can enjoy doing something together.
For adventure-seeking groups, laser tag offers energetic action and teamwork. Megazone provides a futuristic environment where group members can compete against each other or form teams for a common challenge. The game is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, so everyone in the group can definitely join in. Laser tag is particularly effective for work groups who want to break away from everyday routines in an energetic way.
Glow Mini Golf at West Coast offers small groups 15 surprising courses, 4 of which are equipped with horror effects. Mini golf is especially well-suited for groups who appreciate a more relaxed activity where you can socialize at the same time. If you want to test your group’s problem-solving skills, Prison Island offers a prison-themed team adventure where you solve tasks requiring cleverness and agility together.
- Glow bowling – suitable for all skill levels
- Laser tag – energetic activity for team spirit
- Glow mini golf – relaxed pastime alongside socializing
- Prison Island – teamwork and problem solving
- Virtual reality games – modern experiences for technology enthusiasts
How do you organize a successful Christmas party for a group of 5-15 people?
Organizing a successful Christmas party for a small group starts with careful planning and mapping the group’s wishes. First, gather wishes and preferences with a short survey, for example, to ensure the event meets participants’ expectations. The advantage of a small group is that you can take everyone’s preferences into account and tailor the experience specifically for them.
When scheduling, it’s worth allocating enough time for activities, but also considering transitions and free socializing. A typical Christmas party program for a small group might include 1-2 hours of activities and 1.5-2 hours for dining. Dining can be placed either before or after activities – dining before activities works well as an icebreaker, while after activities it provides a good opportunity to share experiences.
With a smaller group, you can utilize private spaces that offer a more intimate atmosphere. For example, BowlCircus offers private cabinets and sauna facilities that are excellent for small groups. These spaces enable relaxed togetherness and socializing alongside activities. Remember to send clear instructions about arrival, schedule, and dress code to all participants well in advance.
| Group size | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| 5-8 people | Intimate atmosphere, easy collective decision-making | Private spaces can be relatively expensive |
| 9-15 people | More dynamics, opportunity for small teams | Requires a bit more coordination |
What special experiences can you offer at Christmas parties?
Special experiences make Christmas parties memorable, and a small group has excellent opportunities to try something out of the ordinary. Virtual reality experiences are an emerging trend in Christmas parties. Olio VR offers top-quality VR experiences where groups can explore immersive virtual worlds together, solve puzzles, or fight zombies.
Prison Island offers a unique prison-themed adventure where your group can test their cooperation skills in various cells. Each cell contains its own challenge, which may require physical agility, logical reasoning, or teamwork. This activity is excellent for work groups who want to strengthen team spirit in an unusual way.
The horror area at Glow Golf West Coast adds an exciting element to traditional mini golf. Four courses are equipped with surprising horror effects that create a fun element of excitement for Christmas celebrations. This is particularly suitable for groups looking for a touch of excitement and surprises in a more traditional activity.
BowlCircus’s sauna facilities combined with bowling offer a comprehensive experience where you can combine active play and relaxing sauna time. This combination, which respects Finnish culture, is an effective choice especially for work groups who value the opportunity for informal networking.
How do you combine dining and activities at Christmas parties?
Timing matters when successfully combining dining and activities – energy-demanding activities such as laser tag should be scheduled before a heavy meal, while more relaxed activities like mini golf work well even after dining. BowlCircus offers a restaurant with alcohol licenses where you can enjoy a diverse selection of drinks and food alongside bowling.
You can manage your Christmas party budget sensibly by choosing activity and food packages from the same place. Many entertainment district service providers offer complete packages that combine both activities and dining. For a small group, it may also be cost-effective to book a private space where you can spend the entire evening in one place. For drinks, it’s worth inquiring about pre-ordering options, which will provide service smoothly without waiting.
What is a good budget for Christmas parties for a small group?
The budget for Christmas parties for a small group varies depending on activities and dining options, but on average, you can prepare for a personal cost of 50-100 euros. This amount typically covers one activity and dining with drinks. Just an activity without dining usually costs 15-40 euros per person, depending on the chosen experience and its duration.
It’s worth being clear about cost-sharing right from the start. In workplace Christmas parties, the employer often covers at least part of it, but among friends, costs are usually split equally. When planning your budget, note that drinks often form a significant part of the total costs. Many venues offer the possibility to agree on drink packages or tickets in advance, which makes budget management easier.
Options suitable for a smaller budget include glow mini golf or laser tag combined with lighter dining. If you want to invest more, a comprehensive package can include multiple activities, such as bowling and sauna use, as well as dinner with drinks. Advance bookings and package deals can often save on total costs, so it’s worth inquiring about different options directly from service providers.
When should you book Christmas parties and how far in advance?
Booking Christmas parties should be done at least 1-2 months in advance, especially if you’re planning a party for November-December, which is the peak season. Although smaller groups have more flexible options than larger groups, the most popular days (Fridays and Saturdays) fill up quickly. By booking well in advance, you ensure that you get the day and time you want.
The reservation timeline varies by service provider. Popular activities like glow bowling should be booked as early as possible, while for mini golf and laser tag, for example, space may be found on shorter notice. Restaurant reservations should be made simultaneously with activity reservations to ensure schedules fit together seamlessly. Remember to confirm special diets and other special needs when making the reservation.
Outside the Christmas party season, such as in January, you can find better availability and even more affordable prices. This is a good option if the timing of the Christmas party is not a critical factor for your group. Weekdays are also a viable alternative, as availability is often better and prices may be more affordable. However, the most important thing is to choose a time that suits as many participants as possible.
Christmas parties are the perfect opportunity to relax and have fun with a small group. The entertainment district’s diverse activities and restaurant services provide an excellent setting for a successful party. At Jumbo, you’ll find everything you need under one roof – activities, dining, and even shopping opportunities for gifts. Book your Christmas party in time and enjoy unforgettable togetherness!