The silly season countdown has begun!

We all know how it goes: the New Year has only just begun, you wake up the next day and the Anzacs are marching, then the end of financial bash comes round and before you know it, spring has already sprung. With that in mind, the silly season is mere weeks away but office Christmas party plans can easily have been swept under the rug. It’s the annual event employees and execs look forward to with equal anticipation; kicking back with colleagues and heralding the symbolic start to summer. Don’t hesitate any longer – check out our last minute Christmas party ideas and get a-bookin’!

Private dining rooms are an intimate option for boutique office bashes and executive celebrations, while stunning waterside functions aim to impress employees with memorable water views. Cocktail parties are always a great option for relaxed summer drinks and canapés, or party planners can opt for team building-style events that let employees wind down with a difference.

A great option for this in Sydney is to host an action-packed cooking class with the Cheeky Food Group. Culinary tutorials take on groups and students can share their meal together afterwards in the stylish Surry Hills studio. Victorians keen to hit the party scene early can take advantage of fine diner Esposito’s Spring Dining offer. The $35 per person special is available right through to early November, and is available for both sunny daytime luncheons and sophisticated sit-down dinners from Mondays to Thursdays.

If the search for Christmas gifts for staff is giving you grief, check out the multitude of ideas on our Best Gift Certificates website. Lucky recipients can redeem their vouchers for the likes of restaurant gift certificates, gourmet packages, sport and adventure activities, entertainment and pampering spa options all over Australia. For the most dedicated of workers, give the ultimate holiday bonus with a gastronomic tour of Spain. Celebrity chef Frank Camorra guides the culinary journey through his homeland based on the people, places and recipes featured in his latest cookbook, Movida Rustica. Get your hands on the last two places on the October itinerary, for which we’ve has secured an exclusive discounted rate.

From 18th of September – 14th of November, Secure Parking hosts Parktoberfest - the world’s biggest parking festival. Secure Parking car parks are celebrating with a range of discounted rates, plus the chance to take home part of the whopping $150,000 prize pool and win an overseas trip to your festival of choice.

We’re giving away DVD copies of the film FOOD, INC., the controversial exposé of modern food consumption trends by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Kenner. See below for entry details.

NSW, Sydney, Kings Cross: Hugo’s Lounge is putting on three package price ranges for the silly season, ranging from $70 per person to $110 per person... [more]

NSW, Sydney, Surry Hills: Forget ho hum dinners – cooking classes at Cheeky Food Group’s stylish Surry Hills warehouse let excited staff cook up a storm and enjoy the fruits of their labour afterwards. ..[more]

NSW, Sydney, Manly: Staff will relish the sea sprayed air with expertly mixed beverage in hand alongside the selection of eight of these bite sized delights with Sugar Lounge’s $75 per person Christmas Cocktails & Canapé deal...[more]

NSW, Sydney, Darlinghurst: Cigar in one hand, cognac bowl in the other. Celebrate like the most debonair of gentlemen in the slick, New York-inspired surrounds of the Polo Lounge...[more]

VIC, Melbourne: Head straight for the stylish timber bar on Campari House’s rooftop courtyard, complete with oversized vibrant red umbrellas and fun astro turf floors, to make the most of sunny Christmastime weather...[more]

VIC, Melbourne, Docklands: Make merry overlooking Victoria Harbour at Watermark Bar, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide 360 degree views to the water...[more]

VIC, Geelong: A winery tour for just $3 per person? You need to book it to believe it – Geelong’s Pettavel Winery and Restaurant has versatile packages on offer to tempt party planners and their guests into the verdant Victorian countryside...[more]

VIC, Carlton: Art deco chic dominates the Hotel Lincoln’s private dining room, which you can book out for 25 to 40 guests for a stylish sit-down function...[more]

QLD, Brisbane: Stateliness comes at not too high a price these days – Brisbane’s historic Customs House has just released their holiday packages for smaller groups, including a three course meal for $72 per person...[more]

WA, Fremantle: Set sail for party planning success aboard the impressive ship Leeuwin II, where guests can either muck in with the crew for some rope-pulling and mast-raising antics or simply sit back with champagne flute in hand...[more]

QLD, Brisbane: Special set menus, buffets and canapés are on offer this festive season at Brisbane’s Mercure Hotel. Prices start from $60 per person, so take advantage of their great rates for a swish Christmas soirée...[more]

ACT, Canberra: A traditional Chrissie roast with all the trimmings is served up with fine dining flair at Flint Dining Room & Bar with their newly released seasonal three-course menu...[more]

SA, Adelaide: Balcony, Board or Green Room? Take your pick from Hotel Richmond's versatile spaces, which each offer privacy, full catering and unique restored 1920s style...[more]

Corporate event planner dream – the best of venues from Australia. It all starts again in 2011 so we’ll be rounding up the year with a showcase of our favourite venues for conferences, private dining, cocktail parties and the most unusual function venues to help you plan events with a bang in 2011.