The Essential Guide: Planning a Christmas Party in Melbourne

Warm weather, long sunny afternoons, relaxed catch-ups, and end-of-year celebrations with friends, family, and colleagues are all part of a classic Melbourne Christmas. Whether you’re hosting a corporate Christmas lunch, a casual summer gathering, or an outdoor family celebration, the right event hire in Melbourne plays a huge role in how smoothly the day runs.

This guide focuses entirely on the practical hire items available from You’re Invited Event Hire — the essentials that help create a comfortable, functional, and stress-free Christmas event. From tables and chairs to marquees, umbrellas, bar furniture, ice boxes, drink buckets, artificial turf, and linen, these are the items Melbourne hosts rely on year after year.

1. Sit-Down Furniture: The Centrepiece of Every Christmas Lunch

No Christmas gathering is complete without the right dining setup. Whether it’s a grazing spread, a traditional roast, bbq, or a corporate end-of-year lunch, comfortable seating and practical tables are essential.
You’re Invited Event Hire offers a range of event furniture hire options in Melbourne, including:

Trestle Tables:
Ideal for corporate sit-down lunches, long shared tables, or large family gatherings.
Event Chairs:
Suitable for everything from relaxed backyard celebrations to formal business events.
Wooden Tables:
Perfect for rustic or summer-style Christmas setups, particularly outdoors.
These functional hire items allow you to create a clean, organised layout and seat guests comfortably — without the need for themed decorations or props.

2. Linen: Simple, Elegant Christmas Styling

While You’re Invited Event Hire doesn’t offer Christmas decorations, linen hire is an easy way to elevate your event styling.

Fresh, neutral-coloured tablecloths instantly enhance any table setting and work beautifully for both corporate Christmas lunches and relaxed outdoor celebrations. Linen is one of the most popular December hire items and offers a polished look without extra décor.

3. Umbrella Hire: Essential Shade for a Melbourne Summer Christmas

Christmas in Melbourne means summer heat, and shade is essential for any outdoor event.

Market umbrellas from You’re Invited Event Hire provide:

UV protection
Heat relief during peak afternoon sun
A cooler, more comfortable dining experience
Stylish shade for outdoor settings

Umbrella hire is particularly popular for backyard parties, park gatherings, and outdoor corporate Christmas events.

4. Marquee Hire Melbourne: Protection from Unpredictable Weather

Marquee hire in Melbourne is always in high demand — and for good reason.

Melbourne’s weather is famously unpredictable. Even on a hot December day, conditions can quickly change. Hiring a marquee provides:

Shelter from the midday sun
Protection from unexpected rain or wind
A defined area for dining or seating
A professional, organised look for corporate events

Whether for a casual Christmas lunch or a large-scale corporate end of year celebration, marquees are one of the smartest investments for December events.

5. Bar Furniture Hire: Easy, Practical Drink Service

Drinks are a big part of Christmas celebrations — from chilled wine and beer to mocktails and soft drinks. Instead of themed bars or decorative props, bar furniture keeps things functional and organised.

Bar Tables:
Great for casual standing areas or drink stations.
Bar Counters:
Ideal for self-serve beverages or a dedicated drinks zone.
Bar Stools:
Comfortable seating for outdoor bar areas.

Bar furniture hire adds both practicality and style, without overcomplicating your setup.

6. Ice Boxes & Drink Buckets: Summer Christmas Essentials

With warm December temperatures, keeping drinks cold is essential.

You’re Invited Event Hire offers:

Ice Boxes:
Perfect for storing ice, beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Large Drink Buckets:
Ideal for placing near bar furniture or self-serve drink stations.

These items are consistently in high demand for Christmas Day and corporate summer events, helping reduce trips indoors and keeping drinks chilled all day.

7. Artificial Turf Hire: Creating Clean, Functional Event Spaces

Artificial turf is one of the most underrated hire items for Christmas events.

It’s especially useful for:

Uneven or dry backyard grass
Flooring under marquees
Food and beverage service areas
Outdoor corporate events
Poolside setups

During Melbourne’s dry summer months, artificial turf creates a clean, attractive and comfortable surface for guests to dine and mingle.

8. Creating Comfort Without Decorations

The focus for many Christmas events is comfort and functionality — not decorations.
Using only practical hire items, you can create a welcoming Christmas atmosphere by:

Providing shade with marquees and umbrellas
Offering ample seating for long lunches
Keeping drinks cold with ice boxes and drink buckets
Creating defined drink areas with bar furniture
Laying artificial turf for clean, stable flooring

For outdoor summer events, these essentials matter far more than decorative styling.

9. Corporate Christmas Lunches in Melbourne

Corporate Christmas events are extremely popular in Melbourne throughout December.

Most businesses host:

End-of-year lunches
Afternoon outdoor celebrations
Casual daytime gatherings
Team Christmas events

The most commonly hired items for corporate events include:

Marquees

Tables and chairs
Bar furniture
Umbrellas
Ice boxes
Drink buckets
Artificial turf

Corporate Christmas hire is a consistent, annual need — and early planning is key.

10. Tips for Planning a Smooth Christmas Event

Book early — December dates fill fast
Measure your space for furniture and marquees
Hire enough cold storage for drinks
Provide plenty of shade for midday heat
Use bar furniture to spread guests comfortably
Add artificial turf for stability and comfort

Why Choose You’re Invited Event Hire for Your Christmas Celebration?

You’re Invited Event Hire provides everything you need for a relaxed, comfortable, and well-organised Christmas party in Melbourne, including:

High-quality event furniture hire
Reliable marquee hire across Melbourne
Practical summer essentials such as umbrellas, ice boxes, and drink buckets
Clean, well-maintained artificial turf
Professional delivery and collection
Friendly, local service

Whether you’re planning a corporate Christmas party, family lunch, or backyard celebration, You’re Invited Event Hire has the essentials to make your event run smoothly.

Book early — December availability fills quickly.

Explore the full range at youreinvitedevents.com.au or contact us on 03 7009 5733