Recall your last Christmas party? That may be a stupid question, you were most likely so intoxicated that you couldn’t remember what day of the week it was. Allow me to rephrase the question. Was it really that memorable? For most of you I would guess that the resounding answer is no. Whether you partied with your boss in the office and ended up with the apprentice in the meeting room, or simply passed out as you drank to numb the boredom in a faceless rented hotel meeting suite, your last Christmas do was most likely one to forget.

Maybe you feel like you deserve more? 2010 has been a really tough year with concerns about the recession and possible redundancy, UK workers should really be getting on their employers backs to pull out all the stops this festive season. A great way to make your Noel-based knees-up go off with a bang is to let an outside catering firm take the burden of preparing the food and organizing the venue.

Imagine restaurant quality food served up any way you want. Whether you require a formal sit down meal, a finger buffet or even something more extravagant like a hog roast, this new breed of private catering companies can pander to your every whim. Food is not usually top of the agenda for most Christmas party goers but most outside caterers now put as much effort into their array of exciting beers, wines and cocktails as they do their grub.

Many caterers now even offer parties with a distinct theme.Your imagination is the only limiting factor! Want a Christmas do with a toga-dress code and a Greek Mezze buffet? Roy from maintainance may not be too made-up about it, but outside caterers can make it happen. Make sure you have a change from the norm this holiday season, get your company’s HR department to look into outside catering. Yule be happy you did!