Why That’s Christmas 365 Chose Novello Lounge for Our Company Christmas Meal

Choosing a venue for a Christmas team meal isn’t just about picking somewhere convenient. 

For us at That’s Christmas 365, it needed to reflect what Christmas means to us all year round: warmth, inclusion, comfort, good food, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.

That’s exactly why we chose Novello Lounge, part of the much-loved Loungers family, for our company Christmas meal.

A Space That Feels Like Christmas

From the moment you walk in, Novello Lounge feels relaxed and inviting rather than rushed or overstated. At Christmas, that matters. Festive meals shouldn’t feel like a conveyor belt of bookings or a noisy free-for-all. 

The Lounge strikes a perfect balance: cosy without being cramped, lively without being overwhelming. It’s a place where you can actually talk, laugh, and enjoy the occasion.

Inclusive, Welcoming, and Thoughtful

One of the reasons Loungers venues consistently stand out is their genuinely inclusive ethos. Christmas should be for everyone, and Novello Lounge reflects that beautifully. 

The environment is approachable, staff are attentive without hovering, and there’s no pressure to behave a certain way or fit a particular mould. That sense of ease is something we value deeply as a brand that champions kindness, accessibility, and community.

Food That Works for Everyone

A company Christmas meal needs a menu that caters to different tastes, appetites, and dietary requirements without making anyone feel like an afterthought. Novello Lounge excels here. From comforting festive favourites to lighter options, plant-based dishes, and generous sharing plates, everyone at the table can find something they genuinely want to eat. Christmas food should be enjoyed, not endured.

No Stuffy Formality

We love Christmas traditions, but we don’t believe they have to come wrapped in stiff formality. Novello Lounge offers quality food and drink without the intimidating price tags or rigid dining rules that can drain the joy from a festive get-together. 

It’s Christmas dining that feels human, relaxed, and real – which aligns perfectly with the That’s Christmas 365 ethos.

Supporting Community-Focused Hospitality

Loungers bars are known for embedding themselves into their local communities, and that matters to us. Choosing Novello Lounge wasn’t just about having a nice meal; it was about supporting a hospitality brand that values people, accessibility, and consistency across the year – not just in December.

A Christmas Choice That Reflects Our Values

Ultimately, Novello Lounge wasn’t just a convenient choice. It was the right choice. Warm, welcoming, inclusive, and festive without being forced, it offered exactly what a company Christmas meal should: a chance to slow down, enjoy good food, and celebrate the season together.

For us at That’s Christmas 365, that’s what Christmas is all about – not just one day a year, but every day.

Find your nearest Loungers cafe bar here https://thelounges.co.uk

Why You Should Visit Loungers Before Christmas for Their Boxing Day Ham Meal

Despite the name, Boxing Day Ham at Loungers isn’t actually served on Boxing Day, and that’s precisely why it deserves a special mention on That’s Christmas 365.

This much-loved dish appears on the pre-Christmas festive menu, giving you the chance to enjoy all the comforting familiarity of a traditional Boxing Day meal without the crowds, the chaos, or the post-Christmas fatigue.

A Taste of Boxing Day Calm. Before the Big Day

Boxing Day food has always been about comfort rather than ceremony. It’s unfussy, hearty and reassuring. Loungers capture that spirit perfectly by offering their Boxing Day Ham ahead of Christmas, when you’re still able to savour it properly. The Boxing Day Ham is Treacle cured pork belly, roast potato chips, slaw and truffle stuffing mayo.

Enjoying it earlier in December feels like a gentle warm-up to the festivities, a reminder of what’s coming, rather than something squeezed into an already busy holiday.

Festive Comfort Without the Pressure

Pre-Christmas can be surprisingly intense: shopping trips, appointments, social commitments and year-end deadlines all competing for attention. Sitting down to a Boxing Day ham meal at Loungers offers a pause button moment.

No stress.

No prep.

No expectations.

Just proper food, served in a relaxed setting, at a time when you actually have the headspace to enjoy it.

Perfect for Catch-Ups and Low-Key Celebrations

Because it’s available before Christmas, the Boxing Day Ham is ideal for:

Casual festive meet-ups with friends

A midweek lunch during Christmas shopping

A relaxed family meal without the formality of “proper” Christmas dining

An office or company Christmas party. (Actually, a Loungers cafe bar was where That's Christmas 365 staged its own office party!(

It feels festive without being overwhelming, exactly what many people are looking for in the run-up to Christmas.

Loungers Do Relaxed Festivity Exceptionally Well

Loungers café bars are known for their welcoming, informal atmosphere. In December, that translates into gentle festive décor, a warm buzz, and none of the pressure you can feel in more formal seasonal venues.

You can turn up as you are, linger over your meal, and enjoy a festive dish that feels familiar rather than forced.

A Festive Treat That Doesn’t Clash With Christmas Day

One of the best things about having this meal before Christmas is that it doesn’t compete with Christmas Day itself. You’re not repeating leftovers or feeling like you’re rushing through traditions.

Instead, it becomes part of the build-up — a small but satisfying Christmas ritual that marks the season without taking anything away from the big day.

A Quietly Brilliant Christmas Tradition

Calling it “Boxing Day Ham” is almost a stroke of genius. It evokes everything we love about the days around Christmas, comfort, simplicity and slowing down, while fitting neatly into the busiest part of December.

If you’re looking for a festive meal that feels genuinely enjoyable rather than obligatory, Loungers’ pre-Christmas Boxing Day ham is well worth adding to your Christmas countdown.

To find your nearest Loungers cafe bar visit https://thelounges.co.uk

Christmas Party Planning. How Stressful is it?

Christmas party planning, more stressful than doing your tax return?  

A new survey reveals what really matters to us Brits when planning the perfect festive get together.

As the festive season approaches, a new survey carried out by Cosy Club – part of the Loungers family, reveals how the UK is gearing up for Christmas celebrations, and what makes party planning sparkle or spiral.

The restaurant group of 37 venues across the UK, conducted the survey asking what matters most to those planning Christmas parties for family, friends and work colleagues this year.  

Over half (53%) of respondents confirmed they’ll be attending a Christmas party this year, with the majority (63%) celebrating with work colleagues rather than friends.  

And while party planning can be a joy, it’s not without its challenges…planning the office Christmas party was ranked more stressful than doing your tax return, but less stressful than attending a job interview.

Venue stress tops the list, with respondents naming ‘finding a venue to suit everyone’ as the most stressful part of organising a Christmas party, followed closely by catering to diverse menu preferences and sticking to a budget.

When it comes to what matters most, location reigns supreme, followed by food and drink options, cost, entertainment then aesthetics and décor.

Lucy Knowles, Managing Director, Cosy Club told That's Christmas 365: “Our survey shows that that Christmas party planning is a shared experience - one that brings people together, even before the first cracker is pulled.  

"Here at Cosy Club, we pride ourselves on catering for everyone - serving up feasts for those following vegan or gluten free diets, and providing a great selection of non-alcoholic drinks -  so it is important that venues offer the same inclusive experience.

“We know how much effort goes into making parties memorable, and we’re proud to be part of the festive magic whether it’s a family and friends celebration or a work knees up.  

"Christmas parties are about connection, celebration, and indulgence which is why we’ve taken the stress out of the planning with fabulous food and drink packages to suit all tastes and pockets, stunning interiors, superb hospitality and the perfect Christmas atmosphere.”

Despite the stress, 85% of past organisers said they’d do it again, showing that the spirit of Christmas, and perhaps a well-earned glass of fizz, is well and truly alive.

https://cosyclub.co.uk

Loungers operates through its three established complementary brands - Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside.