Christmas is Coming – But Don’t Roll Your Eyes

It might feel a bit odd to think about Christmas when it’s still warm outside.  As a pub landlord, however, early preparation is crucial to having a smooth, profitable festive season. Yes, people may roll their eyes at the sight of Christmas trees in store windows in August, or Christmas crackers on the shelves in supermarkets.  But behind the scenes, we know the reality: the sooner we get things sorted, the better. A healthy Christmas keeps most pubs afloat over January & February when it can be deathly quiet! 

Over the years, I’ve learned the just how essential early planning and effective marketing are to a stress-free Christmas. Here are a few key reasons why early preparation is your pub’s best friend, with lessons I’ve picked up along the way.

Why Early Planning Sets You Up for Success

Christmas is one of the most important times for pubs, often making up a large portion of annual revenue. Early planning not only helps you avoid the panic of last-minute changes.  It  allows you to craft a smooth experience for both your staff and customers.

Even with careful planning things can go wrong very quickly.  One Christmas Day, we had several coach parties lined up, with just enough time between them to manage the turnover of tables. But then one coach arrived an hour late. It was absolute chaos! People were waiting to be seated, tables needed to be flipped quickly, and service became frantic. From that experience, I learned that early planning doesn’t just mean knowing your bookings in advance; it also means building in buffers for those unexpected moments and being tougher with large parties about punctuality!

Booking Live Music & DJ’s Early

Booking live music or DJs early for your Christmas events and New Year’s Eve celebrations is essential to creating a memorable atmosphere that draws in crowds. These dates are incredibly popular in the entertainment world, and top performers get snapped up quickly.  They can also be very expensive. By securing your entertainment early, you ensure that you have talented professionals who can create the perfect festive ambiance.

It is a difficult balance – the cost against the benefits, so you need to consider your venue and whether it is worth it.  But for many pubs, a great DJ or live band can make all the difference, helping your pub stand out from the competition. It can turn one-off visitors into loyal patrons who return year after year. Plus, early booking allows you to coordinate promotional efforts and incorporate the entertainment into your marketing.  This is essential in  ensuring your events are well-publicised and fully booked.

Marketing: The Key to a Fully Booked Festive Season

Once you’ve planned your menus, events, and staffing, the next step is getting those bookings—and that’s where marketing comes in. It’s vital to start reaching out early, especially in such a competitive market. The pubs that are proactive about marketing their Christmas offerings are the ones that get booked up quickly.

A well-timed email to previous customers can do wonders. Remind them of the great time they had last year and encourage them to book early. Don’t forget to use social media to your advantage too. Post pictures of your festive setup, showcase the menu, and offer sneak peeks into family-friendly events like Meet Santa. Every effort helps you stand out in what is a very crowded time of year.

Training Staff for Smooth Service

One of the most overlooked aspects of early planning is making sure your staff are fully prepared. Early on, train your team to handle festive inquiries over the phone, promote bookings, and upsell where possible. Ensuring that they get customer contact details right, confirm bookings accurately, and are clear about deposit requirements helps avoid confusion later. A well-informed team can prevent the headaches of missed reservations or over-bookings during your busiest time.

Why Christmas Day Opening is a Big Decision

Another critical decision to make early is whether to open on Christmas Day. The trend of dining out on Christmas Day is growing, but it’s not a decision to take lightly. For some pubs, it’s a big revenue earner, while for others, the costs of staffing and resources outweigh the benefits. If you do open, you’ll need a well-rested, motivated team, and that brings us to another key point: staff welfare.

Taking Care of Your Team

Your staff are the backbone of your pub, and Christmas is a tough time for them. Working over the festive period—especially on Christmas Day— can be hard on staff with families. Offering incentives, whether through bonuses, perks, or even a thank-you meal, can help keep spirits high. And remember, early communication about staff rotas and annual leave policies is crucial. Make it clear upfront whether annual leave will be restricted during this period so your team can plan their personal time accordingly.

Catering to Everyone (Including Vegetarians)

Part of early planning includes crafting a menu that caters to a range of dietary needs. The traditional turkey dinner will always be a hit, but don’t fall into the trap of offering the same old nut roast for your vegetarian and vegan guests. People want variety, so consider alternatives that excite the palate.  How about a roasted cauliflower steak with pomegranate molasses glaze?  Or a sweet potato and black bean enchiladas with a salsa verde? Be creative.  A well-rounded menu that offers something for everyone will make your pub stand out, and customers will appreciate the thought you’ve put into it.

Managing Big Parties and Safety Concerns

The festive season also brings large corporate parties, which can be a fantastic source of revenue. However, it’s essential to ensure things run smoothly and safely. I have a memory of standing at the door collecting all my Christmas decorations back from a large group of squaddies who thought it was funny to empty my pub of them! Rather than policing it yourself, if you’re hosting big groups, consider hiring door security.  They can manage crowd control and prevent potential issues before they escalate. Things could have been a lot worse than nicking Christmas decorations. You’ll want everyone—both your party-goers and regular customers—to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Family-Friendly Events: Boosting Revenue Before Christmas

If you want to maximise revenue, don’t just rely on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Host family-friendly events like Meet Santa, the Big Christmas Quiz or Christmas-themed lunches to bring in families during quieter times. These events can fill the pub during the day, making use of times when the bar might otherwise be empty. Plus, they create lasting memories for your customers, who are more likely to return year after year.

Remember, people often eat out less in December and bookings between parties can slump.  It is imperative that you capitalise where you can.

The Bottom Line: Early Prep Equals a Merry and Profitable Christmas

The festive season can be daunting, but with early planning and effective marketing, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From lessons learned over the years, I’ve come to realise that the more prepared you are, the smoother things will run. Whether it’s marketing your Christmas offerings, training your team, or planning for the unexpected, the effort you put in now will pay off when the crowds start to fill your pub.

Start early, plan smart, and you’ll be well on your way to having a stress-free, profitable Christmas season—while giving your customers an experience they’ll want to repeat every year.

Want to learn more from my experiences in running pubs?  Visit my other blogs and help avoid making costly mistakes .