When you think of Christmas in London some things that spring to mind are beautiful lights and decorations, affluent and exciting parties and if you’re a party band, lots of bookings. Christmas 2008 however was a stark contrast to the normal flamboyancy with many Christmas parties feeling more like wakes.

This of course was because we were in the middle of a recession and the future looked extremely uncertain, with the booking of party bands seeming almost immoral when so many staff had been laid off.

Christmas 2009 seems to be looking like much more fun. It’s true that there are many more people out of work this year but hopefully those in work are feeling a bit more relaxed about the future and, come Christmas will feel like partying.

There should also a bit more money to be thrown at rewarding staff in the form of the Christmas party and this, in turn should mean that the party bands in London should be getting ready for a more fruitful season.

Christmas entertainment is a great way to show staff that you value them and make them feel special and ultimately motivated. Having a good party band performing after your meal is a brilliant way to get your staff dancing together and loosing their inhibitions. It’s also a chance for the normally stone-faced boss to shake their stuff, down a few shots and give everyone a laugh!

Things to remember when booking a Christmas party band

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1) Book early

Booking early will not only get you the best bands but it will also enable you to haggle and get a substantial reduction.

2) Get something for everyone

It might seem appealing to book a Queen tribute act because you and a few people in your department love Queen but is everyone at your company going to enjoy this? Try and pick a band who can play everything from 60’s classics to today’s chart favourites.

3) Experience is everything

You might have someone at work whose 18 year old son is in a band and they play a few covers, this could be tempting especially as budgets for the Christmas party are stretched. Don’t make this mistake! What you save in money will be made up for in stress.

Christmas party bands who have been around for a few years have survived the recession for a reason and that’s because they know what their doing. When you turn up at your Christmas party wouldn’t it be lovely to relax in the knowledge that you’re working with professionals?

4) Check with your venue.

Can the party band you’ve chosen actually play at the venue you’ve booked?

This seems a silly question but it’s a problem that occurs again and again. Check that your venue has a live music licence and that the band have public liability insurance and are PAT tested.

5) Treat the musicians as guests

If you want to get the best out of your Christmas party band treat them as guests, feed them well and let them have a drink or two (but no more!). They’ll play a hundred times better if they like you!

About Author
Simon Baum runs an entertainment agency providing entertainment for both wedding and corporate clients. Contact him on 0845 890 8525 info@yesentertainment.co.uk“>e-mail YES Entertainment! Visit the website Christmas Party Bands London

The North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most eagerly-awaited events in the calendars of both sets of fans. The two clubs have faced one another in top-flight football 156 times since the 1900s, and each hotly-contested derby is accompanied by a crackling atmosphere throughout this populous corner of the city as Londoners exchange taunts, quips and largely good-natured banter about their predictions for the match.

The 156 clashes to date have produced 66 Arsenal wins, 49 Tottenham victories and 41 draws, and plenty of memorable moments. Who can forget the nine-goal thriller at White Hart Lane in 2004 – Noureddine Naybet opened the scoring for Spurs late in the first half, and despite his teammates Defoe, Ledley King and Kanoute joining him on the scoresheet they were at last out-Gunned with the match finishing 4-5 to Arsenal.

In 2006, the last derby ever to be hosted by Arsenal at the old Highbury ground was, again, full of excitement and controversy. Spurs were dominant, but when Robbie Keane capitalised by tapping in a brilliant cross from Edgar Davids in the second half, Gunners players complained that he should have stopped play because Emmanuel Eboue had been injured in a collision with teammate Gilberto. Managers Arsène Wenger and Martin Jol almost came to blows on the touchline over the incident and had to be kept apart by the fourth official, while Davids was eventually sent off and Thierry Henry saved face for his side with a typically stylish goal in the 84th minute leaving the teams with a point apiece.

The next derby will fall just before Christmas, on 22 December 2007, at Arsenal’s huge new Emirates stadium which is regularly filled to almost its capacity of 60, 432. It’s set to be a cracking game as the home side will want to defend their place at, or near, the top of the table and please fans with the stylish, flowing football that has become their trademark. They are having a brilliant season so far, shaking off concerns about how they would fare after the departure of the legendary Henry along with Freddy Ljungberg, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, to become unbeaten in all League and Champions League games as of mid-November.

The story at Tottenham couldn’t be more different – after a promising pre-season and transfers leaving Martin Jol apparently spoilt for choice with four world-class strikers, it’s been a shocking start with pitiful results plunging Spurs into the relegation zone in October and off-pitch drama leading the popular Jol to leave the club amid accusations and ugly rumours surfacing during an uninspiring UEFA cup match. Under new manager Juande Ramos, previously of Sevilla, Tottenham have started to find their feet, maintaining clean sheets in wins against Blackpool, Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Wigan.

But it remains to be seen how the struggling Spurs will fare against the really big boys of the Premier League and in the derby they’ll be looking to continue their sharp ascent of the table and show what they’re made of.

It’s definitely going to be one to watch and as a Saturday afternoon fixture (3pm) a few warming beverages will surely be called for afterwards. For travelling fans, the Emirates is easily accessible by train and Tube and there is a good selection of hotels in Kings Cross nearby so that the big match can be transformed into a Christmas city break – the centre of London’s not exactly short on attractive destinations for non-fanatical family members, too.

If you are planning a Christmas party in London then we have the answer. From an office Christmas party in London to more lavish Christmas party nights we can create for you a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will transport everyone who takes part back to Dickensian London.
You can go back in time for your office Christmas party to experience the very essence of Christmas. Everyone is familiar with the look and feel of Dickensian London and that’s exactly what we provide for you. It’s an elaborate recreation of the Christmas party events that Dickens would have seen – but with the luxury and convenience that office Christmas party goers expect today.
What you get is an office Christmas party in London comprising dinner, dance and theatre. It will almost certainly be the best Christmas party London has ever seen – in the Past, Present or Future.
A complete office Christmas party experience
So what will you find during our Dickens office Christmas party events? When your guests arrive they will be greeted with a glass of champagne before being taken down Dickens Lane, accompanied by traditional carol singers. Here you really are in Dickensian London-a snow filled magical cobbled kingdom.
Your Dickensian guide will then escort you to your exclusive dining area where waiting staff will attend to your every need. Then you have all evening to experience the best that Victorian London has to offer, but with all the luxury that party goers today expect from their Christmas party events.
Great wining, dining, dancing and more
As well as the fabulous dinner, be sure to visit The Boars Head Tavern, located in the centre of Dickens Lane, with its three large bars serving fine ales and the always popular roulette table. And to add a modern twist for a bit of extra variety to complete your Christmas party in London, there’s a roulette table and cocktail bar with barmen showing off their flair and skill.
Step back into Dickens’ London
Victorian London had a unique tradition for Christmas party nights, and that is where we have taken our inspiration. While you are on Dickens Lane you’ll see Miss Haversham’s grand town house, Jacob Marley’s Counting House and The Old Curiosity shop.
There’s also the Victorian park which has as its centre piece a dance floor styled like a frozen lake. The beautiful but eerie cemetery and the moonlit Victorian Gardens make up the final scene in this stunningly authentic world.
Bringing Dickens to life
Dickens Christmas party nights in London wouldn’t be complete without a suitable cast of characters. So our troop of actors bring to life Oliver, Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Miss Haversham, Mr Macawber, Bob Crachit, Jacob Marley, Jenny Wren and many more Dickens favourites.
The characters aren’t just there to look authentic: our actors will recreate all their trials and triumphs to reveal the stories that are so familiar yet always a pleasure to experience. Don’t expect stuffy performances – our characters can get very rowdy during the evening and love entertaining in true music hall style!
So get in touch with us if you would like to discuss what we can do to deliver you and your colleagues the perfect Christmas party. London has never seen anything like it . . . well not for 150 years!

Christmas in Cheshire and in particular the city of Chester will attempt to ignore the doom and gloom that has been hanging over the country’s heads for the past few months. The county is planning numerous festive events during this year’s Christmas period. Even more than exciting events are planned over the past few years to help raise the spirits of both local people and the county’s many visitors alike. One major focus for Christmas events will be Cheshire’s Tatton Park, which has an amazing selection of events and activities to delight Christmas revellers. For the little ones Father Christmas will be found at the park’s well-stocked farm, including a beautiful month-old calf. The Mansion House will be home to numerous events as well as being fully decorated with traditional floral garland tributes all freshly collected from the spectacular gardens. Throughout the interior of the house, there will be large numbers of special Christmas displays as well as demonstrations of how to create traditional Christmas decorations. Each weekend through Christmas and New Year there will be live music in the state rooms for people to enjoy as they pass through the house. Visitors who choose the evening to tour the wonderful state rooms will enjoy doing so in candlelight offering a feel of a traditional Christmas complete with a choir singing Christmas carols. In the lead up at Christmas there will be multiple concerts featuring the Northern Chamber Orchestra, Mart Rodger’s Manchester Jazz, The Rat Pack Is Back and others. In addition, the stable yard will play host to carol concerts where the King Edward Musical Society will invite the public to sing along. In Chester, the public can enjoy the traditional Christmas Carol Concert – The Joy of Christmas at Chester Cathedral. Chester Zoo will also be offering traditional entertainment in the form of their 2008 Frost Fair. A Frost Fair is a nearly forgotten British Christmas tradition that dates back to the 15th century when Londoners used to enjoy skating on the frozen River Thames. Chester Zoo will be recreating the feel of these colder times along with entertainment, as well as a selection of festive food and a huge Christmas tree. On Northgate Street in Chester you will find an Italian Christmas with locals celebrating Christmas in the Market Town Hall Square, here you will be able to sample some delightful Italian food offerings amongst other activities. The UK’s largest Christmas tree was lit up in a spectacular show which featured former X factor star Shayne Ward. The tree can be viewed at Ellesemere Port’s Cheshire Oaks shopping facility. It should not be too difficult to find as it stands nearly 100 feet tall, and is decorated with over 80,000 baubles and an incredible 100,000 light bulbs. The Christmas experience in Chester has been widely publicized across the region and will offer an incredible selection of entertainment for the Christmas period including a stunning light show around the city centre as well as Santa and his Reindeer. You may also be able to spot some Fairies and win yourself £1000. After 3 PM visitors will be able to park for free and make use of the city’s Park ‘n’ Ride facilities.

No nation in the world knows how to enjoy itself quite like Spain, so at Christmas, the celebrations are naturally long and spectacular.

The Christmas season in Spain is of course religiously centred, more so than in England where pagan traditions of gift-giving and tree-decorating have overshadowed the true meaning of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of the son of God.

The Spanish see Christmas Eve night as a time for family, feasting and spending time together in the home. Unlike other countries, you won’t find shops, bars and restaurants open on the night of Christmas Eve; however on Christmas Day it’s another matter, where everything is open and running, including buses and trains, all laid on so that families can visit each other without having to take the car!

During Advent, that is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, individual homes, villages and towns are decorated with Christmas trees (árboles de Navidad), wreaths (coronas de Navidad), tinsel (espumillón), holly (acebo), mistletoe (muérdago) and poinsettias (flores de Navidad) as well as innovative lighting wrapped around the branches of trees. But the most popular adornment, in-keeping with the religious tone of the season is the ‘belén’ – the nativity scene. Some towns construct very ornate scenes, and many don’t just stop at ‘Jesus in the manger’, with some depicting longer portions of the Christmas story, and in some places they don’t just use figurines – they use real actors! Some of these are a very popular tourist attraction. If you are lucky enough to see one, don’t be surprised if the traditional manger-side animals are joined by Spain’s national symbol – the bull!

Also during December many Spanish people take part in El Gordo, the most famous lottery draw in the world with massive cash prizes (El Gordo literally means ‘the fat one’). The Christmas Draw is on 22 December and the prizes total 2023 million Euros! That’s over £1.3billion! Find out more on www.elgordo.com.

The Spanish enjoy a long Christmas period, with the first major celebration taking place on 21 December, the winter solstice and shortest day of the year. Hogueras – meaning ‘bonfires’ – is a tradition older than Christmas itself and marks the beginning of winter. As well as bonfires being lit all over Spain, in some towns (particularly Jaén and Granada in Andalucia), you will see people jumping over fires, which is an act believed to protect against illness.

Christmas Eve – Nochebuena (meaning ‘good night’) – on 24 December sees families come together for a special meal late at night. This will usually consist of a first course of seafood, followed by many different types of meat, not just turkey although this is popular, especially stuffed with truffles (Pavo Trufado de Navidad). After the meal, the family will congregate around the Christmas tree and sing carols (villancicos) including the popular Catalan ‘Fum, Fum, Fum.’ At midnight, bells ring out throughout Spain to call the families to ‘La Misa del Gallo’ – literally, ‘the Rooster’s Mass’. Christmas Eve has no place for sleeping! There is an old Spanish saying:

Esta noche es Nochebuena, y no es noche de dormir
Tonight is the good night, not a night for sleeping

Christmas Day (El Día de Navidad), unlike other countries, is not a day for exchanging gifts. Father Christmas (or Papa Noel) is known in Spain, but is not very popular, so Spanish children cannot be bribed with the ‘if you’re not good Santa won’t bring you any presents this year’ line. There is a time for gift giving, but it isn’t Christmas Day.

Boxing Day (Día del Boxeo) is better known as the Feast of Saint Stephen (San Esteban) and is a public holiday in Spain.

28 December is ‘el día de los Santos Inocentes’, the Day of the Innocents. This is the Spanish version of April Fools Day and sees people involving themselves in practical jokes and crying ‘Inocente, inocente!’ (‘Innocent, innocent!’) when they are caught. Like in the UK, the newspapers are in on the tomfoolery as well.

31 December is of course New Years Eve – known as Nochevieja or ‘old night’ in Spain. The equivalent of the UK’s Trafalgar Square convergence is Madrid’s Puerta del Sol where tens of thousands of people assemble to celebrate seeing the New Year in. But wherever people are in Spain, they will be seeing in the New Year in the traditional way – with the ‘eating of the grapes’ (tomar las uvas). Everyone gathered around the clock has twelve grapes, and as each chime of midnight rings out, so they have to eat one grape. A good insider tip is to take the skins off the grapes first to help you eat them so quickly!

This tradition dates back to fairly recently – the beginning of the 20th century – and supposedly came about after a bizarrely large crop of grapes was harvested in Spain one unusually warm winter. Not knowing what to do with the unwanted crop, the grape growers came up with the idea of every person in Spain eating twelve grapes at midnight to see in the New Year.

El día de año nuevo, the first of January, is New Years Day and is a public holiday in Spain.

The next major event, and the most important of the Spanish Christmas season, is el día de Los Reyes Magos – the day of the Three Kings. This takes place over the 5 and 6 of January and is the time most looked forward to by children in Spain, as it’s the day they get their presents!

Balthasar, Gaspar and Melchior were the three kings who followed the Star of David until they reached the lowly manger in Bethlehem twelve days after Jesus was born. As everyone knows, they brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So this is why in Spain, the gift giving is celebrated on this day. As children in other countries become excited at the thought of Father Christmas trundling down the chimney with a sack full of toys, so Spanish children look forward to the arrival of the Three Kings during the night, who arrive on their donkeys and leave gifts for all the niños.

In true Spanish fiesta style, this event is celebrated in carnival fashion with  ‘La Cabalgata’, the cavalcade on the 5th of January. The ‘three kings’ make a spectacular entrance into the town or village on brightly adorned floats, throwing sweets to rows and rows of bright-eyed children. After the parade the children return home and before bedtime, they fill their shoes with carrots and straw and put them by the window. This ritual is similar to the ‘glass of milk and cookies by the fireplace for Santa’, but the Spanish children are leaving food for the kings’ donkeys.

The next morning, January 6, sees the excited children up early to open the presents left by ‘the Three Kings’, and is the day when the entire family get together for a meal and to exchange gifts. Their meal will include a ‘Rosca de Reyes’, which is a large fruitcake with coins and other surprises hidden inside.

So if you are planning on spending Christmas in Spain, try and arrange it so you can be there for the celebration of the Three Kings on 5 and 6 January as this really is one of the best things to see.

And don’t forget to bring home some of those wonderful Spanish delights of the Christmas season – like Turrón – known to us as nougat – this comes in a variety of flavours, including almond, peanut and hazelnut. Mantecados and Polvorones are also popular traditional Christmas sweets made with almonds. Divine!