The Best UK Events for the Winter Months

Just because it is winter does not mean that you have to stop entertaining employees and clients, especially because there is so much to do in London during these months. As long as you know what is happening in the city during the winter, you will have no problem coming up with a number of great winter activities for those within your organisation.

ATP World Tour Finals
The ATP World Tour Finals is a major tennis event that is held in November at the O2 Arena. Since the event is held indoors, you will not have any problems keeping your guests warm throughout the event. This event officially ends the ATP season, which means that many of the top players in professional tennis attend. The format of the ATP World Tour Finals is slightly different from traditional events, as only the top eight singles players and the top eight doubles teams are invited. These players then participate in a round-robin tournament, which means that you can watch the top players in the world multiple times.

Autumn Internationals
The QBE Rugby Internationals is another major event held in London during November, as a number of the top national rugby teams in the world challenge the English side. These matches, which are held at Twickenham Stadium, are considered hospitality matches, but they get ultra-competitive and are a great place to bring guests. Remember that these matches take place outside, so be sure to dress for the occasion.

London Bierfest
London Bierfest 2012 takes place during the first week of October. Although it is a little bit earlier than other winter events, it is a great place to bring employees because of its laidback atmosphere and affordable prices. This is similar to the Oktoberfest that is held in Germany, although it does include a distinct English flavour that you will not find at these events in any other country.

Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is a great place to bring your staff because there is so much to do there. Held at Hyde Park between the end of November and the first week in January, this festival features the largest outdoor ice rink in the world, markets, a Ferris wheel and all kinds of Christmas related scenery. This event is an especially memorable place if you have corporate clients visiting from another country, as they will be impressed by what the Winter Wonderland brings to London.

As you can see, London is a city with plenty to do in the winter, especially if you know where to look. Whether you want to take your guests to a sporting event or have them witness the outdoor spectacles that the residents of London already love, you can find the perfect retreat without leaving London's city limits.


The article was produced by supplier of autumn internationals 2012 tickets and hospitality - Keith Prowse.

Four Fun Party Favour Ideas

Throwing a party can be a stressful time for anyone, even a professional party planner that does it for a living. There are simply so many details to think of: venue, food, guests, entertainment, logistics and more. It’s easy to get lost in the details and forget one of the things that have the potential to make a lasting impression on your guests and to ensure that your occasion is one that they’ll remember: thoughtful and unique party favours.

The key to crafting a successful gift is thinking about what your guests might actually want to use and then finding a way to incorporate an element or reminder of your event into the items. There is no point of giving them a keepsake item that they’re not going to be particularly excited about or keen on keeping. You also want to purchase items from a website like InkHead.com, for example, where you can buy personalized items in bulk. Trying to buy from speciality shops may be very expensive and can drive your planning costs up higher than you want them to be.

Party favours make an impact on your guests. Whether it’s a 50th birthday party, a bat mitzvah, a wedding or a child’s birthday, you can help them remember the wonderful time they had at your event by giving them a small gesture or gift when they leave. The things you select need not be excessive or elaborate though. Sometimes small yet thoughtful is better than expensive but generic.
Here are some party favour ideas for unique, memorable and thoughtful gifts to give your guests.

• Picture frames

Personalised photo frames are a great way to thank your guest for attending your party. You can engrave them with the name and date of your event, and send guests pictures afterwards to put in their frame. In any case, a picture frame is something your guests are certain to use.

• Engraved lighters

Everyone, even those that do not smoke, can find uses for a lighter. From campfires to candles, your guests will most certainly find ways to use their present, and each time they do, it will remind them of your memorable occasion.

• Water bottles or mugs

Personalised water bottles or mugs will give your guests a fond memory each time they get thirsty. You can include a photo, a quote or the date and details of your party to remind your guests of what a great time they had.

• Candles

Candles are a great gift to give your guests, as it will add a special touch to their home or apartment. With a variety of colours and styles, you can be creative and create personalised candles that are sure to please your guests.

Samantha really enjoys writing about business. If you'd like to learn more about thoughtful and unique party favors, please visit http://www.inkhead.com/

Plenty to Celebrate on the First Week of Olympics

The world have been watching plenty of sports that they would possibly never normally tend to watch; it turns out my father is now a Handball guru despite the fact that he’s never actually watched a game before this week. It just goes to demonstrate the influence of the Olympic Games and how it can hook a brand new audience into so many different sports.

London has had a lot to celebrate about; hosting the largest sporting event in the World, with public transport running smoothly and welcoming visitors from across the globe. 

Great Britain has a lot to celebrate; British fans have represented Team GB with so much pride & enthusiasm, whilst being great sports and supporting many athletes- not just British- such as Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka who received an overwhelming reception from the crowd after crossing the line 80 seconds after the winner.

The World has many reasons to celebrate; athletes have trained so hard for years and have finally been able to show their skill and athleticism to the World. All of these countries have – like The Beatles’ song – come together! We’ve watched USA’s Michael Phelps win his 20^th Olympic medal (which was his 16^th gold medal) and a 15 year old girl win Gold in swimming. USA and China have a lot to be proud of, as they’ve flown ahead in terms of total medals.

At times like this, it’s so nice to see the globe cheering on their nation’s top athletes with pride, passion and sportsmanship. The next week will most definitely be packed full of excitement, joy & despair. But if there’s one thing we can take out of these games, it’s the wonderful support and spirit the Olympics has carried not just in Great Britain, but around the World.

So cheer your nation.. Get behind them.. And celebrate!

Celebrate your anniversary in Private Luxury in the City of Love

Going away for your anniversary is the perfect way to re-kindle romance in your relationship and to keep the fire of passion burning. It’s also a great way to spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and routine. Choosing where to stay for a romantic weekend can be challenging. It’s important to get the balance right between relaxation and romance. Choosing a hotel can be difficult, because many hotels are aimed at families and younger groups of travellers, meaning that it’s hard to get any peace and quiet on your own. Another down side to staying in a hotel is that you can sometimes be bound by rules and curfews, disrupted by housekeeping and would have to stick to pleasantries when bumping in to other guests.

One way to escape to an entirely un-disturbed break away and to still enjoy luxury surroundings is to find a house swap. Finding a property that the homeowner isn’t going to be using for a weekend or two allows you to have the entire apartment or house to yourselves as a couple. You can use the home facilities as much as you like and even cook your own romantic meals. Most luxury homes and apartments in a home swapping or house exchange scheme have romantic features like a hot tub, spa bath or beautiful views to enjoy in the privacy of your own (borrowed) home.

It’s not surprising that many couples looking to escape for a romantic break away choose Paris, the city of Love. Home exchange France is very popular, and the type of properties available to stay in for your anniversary range from city centre Penthouse apartments with views over the Eiffel Tower, to hideaway Châteaux and farm house cottages on the outskirts of the city. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/selenescell/6743786061/sizes/m/in/photostream/

If you do choose to celebrate your anniversary in France, there is plenty of regional wine and of course Champagne to enjoy. Fresh organic ingredients for a romantic meal for two are always nearby at a farmer’s market and the Belgian neighbours make some fantastic chocolates as well.

Choosing a private house to stay in over a hotel will allow you all the flexibility you need for your romantic anniversary. If it’s a long term relationship, and you are perhaps celebrating a Silver or Gold Wedding Anniversary, then you may choose to invite the family along to stay with you too. The benefit of house swapping is that it is completely flexible. There’s no nightly fee so you can stay as long as you like within the agreed time, or leave early if you please. There’s no reason why the two of you can’t arrive a few nights ahead of the family to enjoy the luxury property to yourselves, and then enjoy the extra space with all of the family around you to celebrate later in the week.

Wonderbra Men

March 8^th is International Women’s Day. A public holiday in some countries, it is a great opportunity to reflect on how much you respect, appreciate, value and treasure the women in your life.

 

Female friends
Your female friends are very special whether you are a man or a woman. Men say their female friends often fulfill a more emotional role in their lives than their male mates. Not being romantically involved means that, with female friends, men often feel more able to let down their macho facade and show their vulnerability. Women are generally good listeners and can provide a valuable source of emotional support – especially in the area of relationships – while still being up for a laugh. 

 

 

 Mothers
It often isn’t until you lose your mum that you realise how special and unique your relationship with her is. It is a tricky role being a mum, especially to a son, because you naturally want the very best for your boy – and unfortunately most women leave something to be desired when viewed through the eyes of a protective mother. If your mum is very critical of your choice of women remember she only wants the best for you but she may not be the best judge of what that is – you are. 

As well as International Women’s Day, March also hosts Mothers Day on the 18^th. Use this opportunity to show your mum how much she means to you.

 

 

 

Sisters
If you are lucky enough to have a sister you will know that it can be a highly emotive, volatile relationship, with sibling rivalry and competitiveness coupled with fierce loyalty and a sense of permanence – your sister will always be your sister even if you fall out and don’t talk for a while. Sisters are the ones who really understand when you talk about your past and your parents and can challenge you if they think your perception is off. Sisters know and appreciate you in ways no other women in your life ever will. They are great people to ask when you need a female perspective on your online dating profile or a new match – they won’t pull the punches but they might be less likely to be possessive of you than your close female friends.

 

 

Female colleagues
Women have different energies, skills and aptitudes to men and as such are more likely to be able to work alongside you than against you in a competitive way, appreciate the differences. 

 

Author Kathy Lette once said: “It's good to remember that women are each other's human Wonderbras – uplifting, supportive and making each other look bigger and better”. I say men can be human Wonderbras too!

Posh English tackles Ginger Irish

Ideas for the perfect wedding meal

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and careful advance planning can ensure things run smoothly. You want the day to reflect your personalities as well as being a fun occasion for your guests.

One thing couples agonise over is the food. Trying to accommodate the tastes and preferences of all your family and friends can be difficult, so it’s best to keep things simple. A sit-down lunch or dinner is the typical wedding meal, but since most people have months to plan it, why not do something a bit different?

The great outdoors

There are many ways to make your special day stand out. For a summer wedding, the obvious suggestion is to go with an outdoor reception. But you can’t guarantee good weather, and particularly in the UK the climate can be temperamental. A marquee can create an interesting space in a garden party and will offer shelter if it suddenly starts to rain.

If you choose an outdoor option, a picnic on the beach is always a winner. You can spread comfortable seats out on the sand with picnic hampers for each group of chairs, equivalent to tables at an indoor venue. Food hampers are an interesting option, even if your reception is indoors. Use gingham tablecloths teamed with fresh flowers and grass around the dining room, and you can create the feel of a traditional picnic without worrying about being outside in your wedding dress.

Grub’s up

It is important to consider the dietary requirements of your guests. Most wedding venues will offer vegetarian options, but it's also worth finding out whether anyone is vegan, lactose intolerant or allergic to wheat. If you find that you have a lot of guests who will need catering for separately, a buffet may be a better option. Many people have pre-conceptions about buffets as being reminiscent of child’s birthday party, but they can be extremely sophisticated and enjoyable if you go with a good catering company and make sure you sample every dish.


The perfect cake

The cake is the ultimate treat everyone will be waiting for. A traditional iced fruitcake is always a safe choice, but if you want to be a little more inventive, there are many exciting alternatives. Cupcake or macaroon towers are popular and have the right mix of sweet-tooth appeal and decadence. For a bit of fun you could add an ice-cream sculpture or a chocolate fountain.

Personal touches

The most important thing to remember when choosing food for your wedding is that it should match the occasion in tone and style. If you have a small, intimate wedding with close friends and family, it may seem inappropriate to have a six-course sit-down meal after the ceremony. After all, your guests are not there for the food, but rather to share your special day. Something personal will go down better than a gourmet banquet.

Resource box

Designer wedding cakes  

Pan-European wedding planners

Wedding-day advice