How to organise your works council’s children’s Christmas party
The children’s Christmas party (the French “arbre de Noël”) is often the event families look forward to most, and the most time-consuming one for works council members. Between the lists of children, the presents, the show and the snack, the details pile up. Here is a proven timeline and programme so the party goes off without stress.
Organising your event 4 min read Updated on
When should you start preparing the Christmas party?
December Saturdays and Wednesdays are in high demand from works councils, schools and associations: magicians, venues and Father Christmases are booked from September onwards. A realistic timeline:
| When | Works council action |
|---|---|
| September | Vote the budget, set the date, book the venue and the show |
| Early October | List the children (first name, age, sex if presents are gendered) with employees |
| End of October | Order the presents or gift vouchers |
| November | Send the invitations, book the snack, activities and photos |
| 2 weeks before | Label the presents by first name and age group, finalise the programme |
| The day before | Set up the venue, test the sound, rehearse Father Christmas’s arrival |
Listing the children is the step that falls furthest behind. Set a firm deadline, send email reminders and put up notices, and keep a few neutral presents for each age group for last-minute sign-ups.
Where should you hold the Christmas party?
The works council has three options: the company’s premises (canteen, lobby), a hired hall (municipal hall, reception room) or a leisure venue that welcomes groups. Whatever you choose, check:
- enough capacity for the children and their parents, often two to three times the number of children;
- a stage area everyone can see, with mats or benches at the front for the youngest;
- suitable toilets and a baby-changing corner;
- easy access with pushchairs, and parking;
- a separate space to store the presents out of sight.
What programme works for a children’s Christmas party?
| Time | Sequence | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 2pm | Families arrive | Christmas music, drop-in workshops to keep children busy |
| 2.30pm | Show | 45 minutes at most for the little ones |
| 3.20pm | Afternoon snack | Hot drinks for parents, allergen-free options |
| 3.50pm | Father Christmas arrives | Entrance announced with music, dimmed lights |
| 4pm | Presents | By age group, children called by first name |
| 4.45pm | Photos and close | Photo with Father Christmas, staggered departures |
Giving out the presents is the most eagerly awaited and the most delicate moment. Organise it by age group, starting with the youngest, and have two works council members beside Father Christmas: one calls out the names, the other hands over the parcels in the right order.
Which activities suit which age group?
| Age | What works | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 years | Gentle music, bubbles, a photo with Father Christmas | A long show, loud volume, harsh lighting effects |
| 4 to 7 years | Magician, storytelling, face painting, crafts | Competitive team games |
| 8 to 11 years | Interactive magic, quizzes, giant games | Activities seen as “for little kids” |
| 12 and over | Karaoke, music quiz, photo booth, keyring engraving | Making them sit through the show |
Teenagers often come reluctantly. Giving them a space of their own, with a photo booth, karaoke or a music quiz, changes how they see the party. As for the show, a magician appeals to almost every age.
How should you handle the presents?
Two approaches exist side by side: a present chosen by the works council for each age group, or a gift voucher or gift card. A physical present makes the moment more magical; a voucher simplifies logistics and suits families with teenagers. Many works councils mix the two: a toy for under-10s, a gift card above that.
Mind the social security rules: Christmas presents and vouchers benefit from a tolerance from URSSAF (the French body that collects social contributions) under certain conditions, including a ceiling set at 5% of the monthly social security ceiling per employee and per event. Check the current rules on the URSSAF website or with your accountant before setting the amount per child.
How do you keep children safe?
- A clearly signposted meeting point for lost children, announced over the microphone at the start of the party.
- Cables and technical equipment out of reach, a stable stage and speakers.
- No candles or naked flames: choose LED fairy lights.
- A list of allergies collected at sign-up and passed on to the snack caterer.
- A first-aid kit and an identified trained first-aider.
What pitfalls should you avoid?
- A show that runs too long: beyond 45 minutes, the youngest lose interest.
- Father Christmas spotted too early in the corridor or the car park.
- Badly labelled presents: a first name and an age group on every parcel.
- Forgetting the parents: coffee, seats and a corner to chat with colleagues.
After the party, take half an hour at a works council meeting to note what worked and what did not: timings, snack quantities, presents left without a recipient, parents’ feedback. These notes will save next year’s team weeks of work.
Questions we are often asked
How do you organise a works council Christmas party for employees’ children?
The works council (CSE) sets the date in September (a Saturday or a Wednesday afternoon in early December), lists the children by age group, chooses a family-friendly venue and orders the presents by the end of October at the latest. A typical programme lasts three hours: welcome, show, afternoon snack, Father Christmas’s arrival and the giving of presents, with free activities to keep everyone busy while they wait.
What activities should you plan for a company children’s Christmas party?
A show suited to the children’s ages (magician, storytelling, musical show), drop-in workshops (face painting, crafts, keyring engraving), a photo with Father Christmas, an afternoon snack and, for older children, a quiz or karaoke. Splitting activities by age group stops the little ones getting bored while the teenagers switch off.
More advice
Let’s prepare your Christmas party
Number of children, age groups, date and venue: we will suggest a programme and send a quote within 48 hours, with the works council offer.