While some view winter as a cold, windy season where the world slows down and shutters up to wait for warmer weather, we see things differently. We think winter is the perfect season to bring people together for warm, welcoming events. Amid the coldest, harshest season of the year, what better way to usher in holiday cheer than bringing friends, family, and coworkers together at an event with a winter wonderland theme?
What is a winter wonderland theme and how do you use it?
In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about hosting incredible, unforgettable, and affordable late-season soirees. Whether you’re organizing an office holiday party with a winter wonderland theme, planning an enchanted Christmas wedding, or hosting a holiday community fundraiser, we’ve got you covered. From venues and vendors to set up and service, we explore all of the winter wonderland theme elements you need to organize an awe-inspiring event.
What is a winter wonderland theme?
If you want to celebrate the whimsical beauty of winter, consider hosting a winter wonderland-themed event. An embodiment of the snowy season, a winter wonderland theme celebrates everything we love about the holidays while drawing folks out of their homes during the most hibernal time of the year. Host a wonderland-themed event toward the end of the year and show gratitude for the past year’s events before another one begins.
If you want to surprise event attendees, mix things up and plan a winter wonderland-themed event in the spring or summer. Make guests feel like they’ve stepped out of reality and into another world.
What types of events fit a winter wonderland theme?
Casual or formal—corporate and social—this alluring seasonal theme is fantastic for a broad spectrum of events. Creating a winter wonderland is mostly about design and decoration, making it an incredibly versatile design request that planners in many fields may encounter. You can take many events to the next level by opting for a winter wonderland theme, including:
Birthday parties
Weddings
Baby showers
Holiday parties
“Christmas in July” events
Office parties
Corporate celebrations
Block parties
Review your event objectives, budget, and limitations to determine if a winter wonderland theme is right for your function. If so, you’re ready to start planning.
What’s included in a winter wonderland theme?
Whether you’re a party planning expert or organizing your first corporate event, outlining the core elements of your function will streamline the planning process. Here are nine key components of a winter wonderland-themed event. Tackle each category to organize an event attendees will never forget.
1. Venue — Finding a venue is one of the most essential steps in planning any event. A winter wonderland theme can work in many spaces, from corporate offices and meeting rooms to banquet halls, hotels, or even your home. Look for a cozy space that fits the event theme well, with built-in fireplaces, wooden accents, or other seasonally-inspired interior design elements. The more venue décor you can utilize, the less you’ll need to purchase for the event.
2. Setup — This theme works with various event setups, so choose the option that accommodates your guests and fits the venue best. Factor large decorations into your setup plans, such as ice sculptures or hanging drapery. Designate an area for guests to check in, hang their coats, and mingle with one another before the main event begins.
3. Color palette — An idyllic color scheme can transform a simple venue into an awe-inspiring winter wonderland. To recreate the glistening snowscape of a cold-weather paradise, go for silver, white, and blue tones. Design a snow-capped paradise using low-cost satin fabrics, glitter, and fake snow.
4. Lighting — Make sure your event lighting is soft and warm to break up the harsh dark of winter. Play with various light sources and fixtures to create the perfect temperature and turn your event room into an inviting, glowing gathering space. Create a welcoming winter-inspired event atmosphere with string lights, hanging orbs, fairy lights, or floating LED candles. Consider using down-lighting and up-lighting to draw attendees’ attention to specific areas without brightening the softly lit room too much.
5. Décor — A winter wonderland theme offers a lot of design freedom. Choose minimalist decorations for a clean, crisp look resembling freshly fallen snow. Dazzle event guests with ice sculptures, hanging garlands, and satin drapery, or celebrate the simple beauty of the season with snowflakes, icicles, and glittering centerpieces. Pair neutral tones with metallic accents, or incorporate greenery by adding a Christmas tree. Decorate an artificial fir with affordable ornaments to create an inexpensive statement piece that’s easy to set up and clean up. At its core, a winter wonderland party is secular, but you can make it more Christmas-y, with the aforementioned Christmas tree, or dress it up for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Why not all three? If you want to celebrate a specific holiday, have at it.
6. Food — What’s a holiday party without fabulous food? Treat guests at your winter wonderland-themed event to classic winter party treats, including hot chocolate, warm cookies, soups, and stews. Offer hot, well-seasoned dishes, like chili, pot pie, or spicy noodles, to warm attendees from the inside out.
7. Drink — Tie every significant element of your event back to the theme, including drinks. Winter is the perfect season to serve comforting Christmastime favorites like hot chocolate, eggnog, apple cider, and holiday punch. Provide guests with an extra layer of warmth by offering boozy beverages. Add a few festive drinks to the bar menu, such as snowflake martinis, mulled wine, or a drink named for the theme, the winter wonderland cocktail.
8. Music — For more formal or business-related gatherings, consider playing instrumental event background music, which adds to the atmosphere without disrupting conversations. If your event is more casual, feel free to have fun with the music. Build a custom playlist of crowd-pleasing Christmas carols or upbeat holiday hits.
9. Entertainment — Keep energy levels high with engaging day-of entertainment, like fun contests and interactive activities. Select entertainment that fits your budget and attendee demographics, including holiday games, gift swaps, and door prize giveaways. Are you planning a kid-friendly theme party? Consider hiring an actor to play Santa.
Tips for taking your winter wonderland theme to the next level
Make the most of the planning process by looking ahead, remaining organized, and cutting costs where possible. Follow these tips to plan a magical winter wonderland-themed event that guests will never forget.
Discuss décor restrictions with the venue. If you’re hosting the event in an unfamiliar space, you’ll need to do some research. Prepare to learn about and abide by the venue’s policies, including setup regulations and decoration restrictions. When conducting site tours, discuss the venue’s setup policies in detail. Can you hang anything? Are you allowed to put decorations on the walls? Can you arrive early to set up? How early? Failing to follow venue policies closely can incur additional fees, so be thorough.
Send invitations that set the stage. Whether by traditional mail or email, send festive invitations that set the tone for your event. Email event invitations to cut costs or hand-address personalized invitations to impress recipients. Announce the winter wonderland theme and include all the pertinent information invitees need to know, including the event’s location, date, and time. Are you planning a laid-back holiday party or an upscale end-of-year affair? Use invitations to give guests an idea of what they can expect.
Book event vendors early. Whether you’re hosting a winter wonderland-themed office party or family gathering, contact potential event vendors as soon as possible. Caterers, entertainers, and other event professionals book up quickly during high-demand dates. Request multiple quotes early in planning to prevent being left out in the cold as the event date nears.
Make the most of your budget. Shop for low-cost holiday décor that can be repurposed in many ways to stretch your event budget further. Fake snow is affordable and available in bulk, allowing you to design a decorative winter scene without overspending. Use nature-inspired décor, like pinecones and holly, to create stunning winter tablescapes, centerpieces, or other event decorations. Consider using holiday-scented candles or potpourri in centerpieces to add to the seasonal aroma.
Add seasonal activities to the schedule. Will your event occur in the winter? Are you in an area with lots of snow? If so, take advantage of the setting and add outdoor activities to the event schedule. Have a snowball fight, go sledding, or make a snowman. DIY winter crafts are inexpensive activities that entertain guests of all ages and give them something to take home. Set up craft stations at kid-friendly events, such as company picnics, community block parties, and resident celebrations. Set up a station where guests can create personalized ornaments, decorate pinecones, or cut paper snowflakes.
Streamline food service with self-serve stations. Buffets and build-your-own (BYO) food bars are excellent service options for winter events with numerous guests. Prevent long lines by setting up multiple service stations where guests can design decadent dishes to their heart’s delight. What would your event guests enjoy most: a hot chocolate bar, BYO chili bowl station, or another tasty idea?
Celebrate the year gone by. An end-of-the-year corporate event is a fantastic opportunity to review and celebrate the last year’s accomplishments. Create a slideshow to play during the event, ask the host to make a thoughtful speech, or include an awards ceremony. Highlight team and individual accomplishments to spread the magic of Christmas and boost attendees’ spirits.
Now, you can plan an event with a winter wonderland theme!
Now that you know what a winter wonderland theme is and how to execute it, you can move on to the fun parts: selecting decorations and planning engaging activities. For more corporate-friendly event tips, check out these ideas for office holiday parties on a budget.
The post What’s a Winter Wonderland Theme? How to Plan a Spectacular Seasonal Event appeared first on Social Tables.