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Planning a Christmas party for a small team can be surprisingly challenging. You want to thank your employees for their hard work, celebrate the year's achievements and bring everyone together somewhere special — but a large corporate venue or traditional office party might not feel right for your group.
The good news? London offers plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in style, even if your team has just 6–20 people.
From intimate private dining to guided Champagne tastings and elegant festive experiences, a smaller Christmas party can be every bit as memorable as a large corporate celebration.
At Champagne Route in Wapping, London, we bring together Champagne, food and a welcoming restaurant atmosphere to help make festive gatherings feel special. If you're looking for inspiration for your company's Christmas celebration in 2026, here are some ideas worth considering.
1. Enjoy a Private Champagne Tasting
If you're looking for something different from the usual Christmas dinner, a Champagne tasting is a sophisticated way to celebrate with colleagues.
Instead of simply meeting for drinks, your team can discover different Champagnes, explore their aromas and flavours, and learn what makes each bottle distinctive. It's an enjoyable way to encourage conversation and give colleagues something new to experience together.
At Champagne Route, our corporate and group Champagne tastings feature carefully selected Champagnes from boutique, family-owned producers. Packages start from £45 per guest, making this an option to consider when planning your festive budget.A Champagne tasting can work particularly well for teams that enjoy food, wine and discovering something new together.
Best for: Small businesses, creative agencies, professional services teams and companies looking for a distinctive Christmas celebration.
Discover corporate Champagne tastings at Champagne Route.
2. Organise an Intimate Christmas Dinner
Sometimes, the best Christmas party is a wonderful meal shared around the table.
For smaller teams, an intimate restaurant setting allows everyone to relax, enjoy good food and have conversations that might not happen during a busy working day.
When choosing a restaurant for your corporate Christmas dinner in London, consider the menu, atmosphere, location and whether the venue can accommodate your group comfortably.
A festive meal can also be combined with a Champagne reception or tasting to create a more distinctive evening.
Champagne Route's restaurant in Wapping is close to Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks, making it worth considering for businesses looking for a Christmas celebration in this part of London.
Best for: Teams that prefer a relaxed dinner, good conversation and a premium restaurant experience.
Explore Champagne Route's restaurant and festive events.
3. Combine Champagne and Caviar for a Luxury Christmas Experience
For a team that deserves something particularly memorable, a Champagne and caviar tasting offers a more indulgent alternative to the traditional Christmas party.
The combination brings together the delicate flavours of caviar and the character of carefully selected Champagne. It also gives guests an opportunity to explore food and drink pairings in a relaxed, guided setting.
This experience can be especially appealing if you're celebrating a successful year, rewarding a close-knit team or hosting colleagues who appreciate exceptional food and drink.
Champagne Route offers a Champagne and caviar tasting experience, with private masterclasses available for groups of 10–20 guests. Contact the team to discuss the most suitable arrangements for your group.
Best for: Client-facing teams, business owners, luxury brands and companies looking to make their Christmas celebration feel extra special.
Discover the Champagne and caviar tasting experience.
4. Choose a Christmas Party That Encourages Team Bonding
A Christmas celebration doesn't have to revolve around dinner alone. Choosing an activity gives colleagues a shared experience and a natural conversation starter.
A guided Champagne tasting is one possibility. Guests can discover different styles, compare their favourites and learn more about the producers behind each bottle.
The key is to choose an activity that feels enjoyable rather than compulsory. Your Christmas party should be an opportunity to relax and celebrate, not another formal work event.
For smaller teams, an experience-led celebration can strike the right balance between professional hospitality and a relaxed social occasion.
Best for: Teams that want to spend time together outside the office and finish the working year on a positive note.
5. Host a Christmas Party Near Tower Bridge
Location can make a real difference when organising a corporate Christmas party in London. You want somewhere convenient for your colleagues to reach, but also a setting that feels special enough to mark the end of the working year.
Champagne Route is just a short stroll from Tower Bridge, via the beautiful St Katharine Docks marina, offering a distinctive waterside setting away from the hustle and bustle of the City.
Our restaurant in Wapping is an appealing option for businesses looking to combine a festive celebration with Champagne, great food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're planning a corporate dinner, a Champagne tasting or a special end-of-year gathering, the location adds something memorable to the occasion.
For companies based in the City of London, Tower Hill or the surrounding business districts, Champagne Route is worth considering when looking for a Christmas party venue near Tower Bridge.
When planning your event, enquire about group capacity, available dates and the best format for your team.
Explore Christmas parties and corporate events at Champagne Route
6. Make Your Christmas Party Feel Personal
One advantage of organising a Christmas party for a smaller team is the opportunity to tailor the experience.
Rather than choosing a standard event package, think about what your colleagues would genuinely enjoy.
For example, you could consider:
- A welcome Champagne reception followed by dinner.
- A guided tasting for colleagues interested in wine and food.
- A festive meal with carefully selected drinks.
- A Champagne and caviar masterclass for a special occasion.
- A relaxed gathering to celebrate the team's achievements over the year.
The right format will depend on your budget, group size, dietary requirements and the atmosphere you want to create.
When enquiring with a venue, explain what you're hoping to organise rather than simply asking whether it hosts Christmas parties. This helps the team recommend an experience that suits your group.
7. How Much Should You Budget for a Small Corporate Christmas Party in London?
Your budget will depend on the type of event, the food and drinks included, the date and whether you require a private space.
A Champagne tasting, a restaurant dinner and a bespoke festive event can have very different costs, so it's worth comparing like-for-like packages.
For example, Champagne Route advertises corporate Champagne tasting packages starting from £45 per guest. At that starting rate, a group of 10 would have a tasting budget of £450, before any additional food, drinks or extras.
For a group of 20, the equivalent starting figure would be £900.
These calculations are illustrative and assume the advertised starting rate applies to your group. Ask the venue for a current quote confirming inclusions, availability and any additional charges.
8. When Should You Book Your 2026 Corporate Christmas Party?
If you're organising a Christmas party for December 2026, it's sensible to start enquiring as soon as possible.
Popular dates, particularly Thursday and Friday evenings in December, can be in high demand. Smaller teams may have more flexibility with dates and times, which can help when comparing venues.
Before making an enquiry, decide on your approximate guest numbers, preferred dates, budget and the type of celebration you're looking for.
If your preferred December date is unavailable, consider an alternative weekday, a lunchtime event or a January celebration.
The most important thing is to find an experience that suits your team rather than choosing a venue simply because it's available.
Celebrate Christmas with Champagne Route
A small corporate Christmas party can be an opportunity to celebrate your team's achievements, thank colleagues for their hard work and enjoy an experience outside the usual office routine.
Whether you're considering a guided Champagne tasting, a Champagne and caviar masterclass or a festive restaurant gathering, the best choice is one that reflects your team's personality and gives everyone something to look forward to.
Planning a Christmas celebration for 6–20 colleagues?
Contact Champagne Route to discuss your preferred date, group size and the type of experience you'd like to arrange.
For larger groups or bespoke corporate events, get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Champagne Route
30 Gauging Square, Wapping, London E1W 2AE
Telephone: 07889 689012
Email: info@champagneroute.com
Free delivery on orders over £200
