Secret Santa Venue London: Private Booths Solve the Gift-Exchange Chaos
TOCA Social’s private-booth format is purpose-built to eliminate every one of these Secret Santa flaws. The solution is simple: private space + perfect timing + interactive entertainment.
-48.jpg)
The Secret Santa Problem Every London Organiser Knows
You’ve booked a beautiful venue, but the gift exchange quickly descends into logistical chaos:
- Gift-pile chaos – presents mixed with coats, handbags and half-eaten food.
- The intimacy barrier – opening personal jokes while adjacent tables watch, destroying the moment.
- Timing disasters – rushed between courses or interrupting food and drink service.
- Energy vacuum – after gifts open… awkward silence until people leave.
The solution is simple: private space + perfect timing + interactive entertainment.
TOCA Social’s private-booth format is purpose-built to eliminate every one of these Secret Santa flaws.
Ready to solve the logistics challenge? Check TOCA Social’s all-inclusive Secret Santa packages now.
The TOCA Solution: 3 Ways Private Booths Guarantee Success
Secret Santa thrives on intimacy. TOCA Social’s private booths create a controlled bubble for groups of 25–450+ guests, transforming the event’s dynamic:
- Privacy & Focus – dedicated interactive football area ensures your gift exchange isn’t watched by strangers. Acoustic separation means sentimental moments and inside jokes land exactly as intended.
- Timing Mastery – booth-side table service means no one is in a bar queue during the reveal. Interactive gaming solves the “What now?” problem – the awkward lull after gifts are opened.
- Chaos Elimination – designated tables/areas for gift collection eliminate the coat-pile chaos.
Logistical Mastery: Three Proven Secret Santa Timelines
As organisers, you need certainty. Here are three formats proven to maximise engagement in TOCA’s private-booth setting:
Format: During Food Service (Most Popular)
Best For: Standard corporate groups (25–100)
Timeline & Rationale: Food service naturally gathers everyone at the table, ensuring all recipients are present. Exchange becomes communal dining entertainment.
Format: Session Opener (High-Energy)
Best For: Teams prioritising gifts over interactive games
Timeline & Rationale: Establishes the festive element immediately. Gaming acts as complementary high-energy activity after the exchange is complete.
Format: Grand Finale (Dramatic)
Best For: Large groups (100+) or combining with awards
Timeline & Rationale: The emotional arc: competitive intensity → formal awards → festive gift-giving. Creates a satisfying and memorable closing moment.
Advanced Gift Formats That Shine in Private Space
The privacy of the booth allows you to execute more engaging Secret Santa formats:
- White Elephant (The Chaos Format) – the extended selection/stealing process (45–60 min) requires comfortable, dedicated seating. Your private booth provides exactly this.
- Guess the Giver (Gaming Integration) – leverage the booth’s projection screen to display names or add sound effects when names are revealed. The competitive atmosphere already primes the group for friendly rivalry.
- Distributed Exchange – instead of one peak moment, distribute gifts throughout the session during natural gaming breaks. This maintains energy and prolongs anticipation.
Critical Gift-Logistics Checklist (Non-Negotiable)
- Pre-Party Collection: collect all wrapped gifts 3–5 days prior – zero forgotten gifts or late-arrival issues.
- Size Limits: if allowing oversized/novelty items, notify your TOCA event manager so appropriate storage space is allocated (not your dining table).
The Ultimate Comparison: Why TOCA Beats Generic Venues
You are not just paying for space; you are paying for professional certainty.
Alternative Venue: Generic Restaurants
The Reality: Gift piles compete with food service; no privacy; high noise levels.
TOCA Social’s Advantage: Dedicated gift storage; acoustic separation; interactive gaming eliminates awkward lulls.
Alternative Venue: Soulless Function Rooms
The Reality: Vast, sterile environment; zero atmosphere; organiser must provide all entertainment and décor.
TOCA Social’s Advantage: Atmosphere built-in (lighting, music, venue design); professional, managed entertainment post-exchange.
Alternative Venue: Crowded Pubs
The Reality: Zero certainty: no guaranteed seating; service delays; ZERO privacy in December crowds.
TOCA Social’s Advantage: Private booths guarantee seating and intimacy; table service eliminates bar queues and coordination chaos.
Final Action: Secure Your Seamless Secret Santa
The combination of private space, quality dining and interactive gaming ensures your Secret Santa is a highlight, not a logistical obligation.
- Packages: from £65 pp (off-peak), inclusive of private-booth space, interactive gaming, food and drinks.
- Booking: prime December slots (especially Thursdays/Fridays) sell out by mid-October.
Booking information
TOCA Social bookings are open now. To secure your ideal time slot:
2 - 24 players: Book Now
25 + players: Book Events
Select your location. Choose your package and number of guests.
Add optional extras such as cocktail upgrades or festive food platters.
For event bookings, enter your preferences and contact details. A specialised event coordinator will contact you to discuss bespoke packages or full venue hire options, from there they will plan your dream event.
TOCA Social Venue Locations
The O2, London
Spaces at The O2
- Full Venue: 700 Capacity | 200 Seats | 17 Boxes
- Players Lounge: 250 Capacity | 80 Seats | 4 Boxes
- Corner Bar: 200 Capacity | 150 Seats | 7 Boxes
- Executive Boxes: 50 Capacity | 50 Seats | 1 Box
Westfield White City, London
Spaces at Westfield White City
- Full Venue: 1000 Capacity | 500 Seats | 24 Boxes
- Left Wing: 300 Capacity | 250 Seats | 12 Boxes
- Right Wing: 250 Capacity | 150 Seats | 10 Boxes
- Hall of Ballers: 50 Capacity | 30 Seats | 3 Boxes
- Fanzone: 70 Capacity | 60 Seats | 4 Boxes
READ MORE: Westfield White City, London
Bullring, Birmingham
Spaces at Birmingham Bullring
- Full Venue: 1000 Capacity | 500 Seats | 23 Boxes
- Corner Bar: 300 Capacity | 250 Seats | 8 Boxes
- Left Wing: 60 Capacity | 50 Seats | 3 Boxes
- Right Wing: 30 Capacity | 20 Seats | 2 Boxes
- Executive Box: 40 Capacity | 30 Seats | 1 Box
READ MORE: Birmingham Bullring
Festive Event FAQs
Q: Can we do Secret Santa with groups under 25?
A: Christmas packages require 25+ guests, but standard sessions (2+ guests) are available year-round.
Q: What if someone doesn't want to participate in Secret Santa?
A: Non-participants enjoy gaming, foosball, photo booths, and premium dining - no exclusion. TOCA's entertainment variety ensures everyone has a great time regardless of Secret Santa involvement.
Q: Can we combine Secret Santa with gaming tournaments?
A: Yes, no official ‘rules’ or formats exist, but elementary examples have been provided in the blog article. For example: winners can get first pick in White Elephant exchanges or bonus "steals." You can also integrate Secret Santa scoring with gaming leaderboards. It is important to finalise these planning elements well in advance with the events management.
Q: How far ahead should we book for December?
A: 2-3 weeks for optimal choice. Prime December slots (Thursdays/Fridays, Dec 12–20) sell out by mid-October.
Q: Do you accommodate dietary requirements?
A: Yes,vegan, gluten-free, halal, and allergy-friendly menus available. Inform your event manager during booking.
Q: Can we bring our own decorations?
A: Infrastructure alterations are welcome in some cases, however these all need confirmation from. TOCA's events team can also arrange bespoke festive décor packages upon request.
Q: What happens if someone forgets their Secret Santa gift?
A: Pre-party collection (gifts delivered to TOCA 1-2 days ahead) prevents this. If using an arrival deposit, TOCA staff can assist with last-minute solutions.
Q: Is there a minimum spending requirement?
A: Christmas packages start from £65pp (off-peak) or £70pp (peak). No additional minimum spend beyond package selection.
Related Christmas Resources
- Need broader venue inspiration? Visit: Office Christmas Party Ideas London 2025
- Want football fixtures included? See Christmas Football Fixtures Watch Parties (for combining gaming with live-match viewing).
- Looking for the core entertainment? Read Christmas Party Games: The Adaptive Gaming Playbook.
At TOCA Social, your Secret Santa isn’t an awkward afterthought – it’s the gift of a Christmas party your team deserves and actually wants to attend.
Check Real-Time Availability | Request Corporate Quote (100+ guests) | Read 1,000+ Five-Star Reviews
TOCA Social is the world’s first interactive football and dining experience, combining interactive football experiences, immersive gaming and world class food and drink.
Book now or walk-in to enjoy our fantastic food and drinks, as well as foosball tables, arcades, selfie booths and more.
If you need to move dates or cancel for a full refund, this is easily done ahead of time with a quick call or email.
Spaces At the o2
PLAYER'S LOUNGE
Capacity: 250
Seats: 80
Boxes: 4
Our purpose-build space for private events. Ideal for team socials, seasonal celebrations, away days, and the list doesn't stop there -the versatile space really can do pretty much anything you need!
The Player's Lounge can be found on the upper mezzanine overlooking our main London activity bar venue, enabling you to soak up the atmosphere from your very own exclusive floor.
With four boxes for playing in, your own private Mezcal bar and even your own photo booth to capture your event, inject some VIP treatment into your next event by claiming the Player's Lounge for yourself.
CORNER BAR
-min.webp)
Capacity: 200
Seats: 150
Boxes: 7
Our Corner Bar event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 200 guests.
Seven Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with foosball tables and vintage arcade games and not to mention your very own exclusive Bar and WC's.
Experience fun activities at the best activity bar in London!
What more could you need to offer your guests the VIP TOCA treatment?
FULL VENUE
Capacity: 700
Seats: 200
Boxes: 17
Split over two floors, the Midfield Bar, Corner Bar and Player's Lounge provide three different bars to choose from, photo booths, foosball tables, and even a dessert room. Our London games bar has spaces that can be exclusively hired, privatised or semi-privatised to fit your needs.
From meetings and product launches to after-work socials and seasonal parties, if your numbers are anything from 12 - 700, then give your next event a spectacular home and experience fun activities inside The O2.
EXECUTIVE BOXES
Capacity: 50
Seats: 50
Boxes: 1
Looking for your own private space but still want to be part of the hustle and bustle? TOCA Social has got you covered.
The executive boxes at our London activity bar offer the best of both worlds. In our Executive Boxes you will find two private Boxes for game time and plenty of networking spaces in between.
Located on the upper mezzanine level of the venue, this space is perfect for up to 50 guests whilst offering that VIP exclusive environment.
Spaces At Birmingham Bullring
FULL VENUE
%20(1)-min.webp)
Capacity: 1000
Seats: 500
Boxes: 23
The entire venue boasts a capacity of 1000.
Split over the same floor, the Midfield Bar, Right Wing and Corner Bar with two different bars to choose from, photo booths, foosball tables, and even AV Equipment, our flexible spaces can be exclusively hired, privatised or semi-privatised to fit your needs.
From meetings and product launches to after-work socials and seasonal parties, if your numbers are anything from 12 - 1000, then give your next event a spectacular home at TOCA Social
CORNER BAR
-min.webp)
Capacity: 300
Seats: 250
Boxes: 8
Our Corner Bar event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 300 guests.
Eight Boxes at our Birmingham games bar for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with foosball tables and vintage arcade games, your own photo booth to catch all the action and not to mention your very own exclusive Bar and WC's.
What more could you need to offer your guests the VIP TOCA treatment?
LEFT WING
-min%20(1).webp)
Capacity: 60
Seats: 50
Boxes: 3
Our Left Wing event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 60 guests.
Three Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with your very own private meeting room space at our amazing activity bar in Birmingham.
Fun activities in Birmingham experienced here!
EXECUTIVE BOX
-min.webp)
Capacity: 40
Seats: 30
Boxes: 1
Looking for your own private space but still want to be part of the hustle and bustle? TOCA Social has got you covered.
In our Executive Box you will find your own private Box for game time and plenty of networking spaces in between.
Located on the lower level of the venue in your own private area, the Executive Box at our Birmingham activity bar is perfect for up to 40 guests whilst offering that VIP exclusive environment.
RIGHT WING
%20(1)%20(1).webp)
Capacity: 30
Seats: 20
Boxes: 2
Our Right Wing event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 30 guests.
Two Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space. With 20 Seats for you and your guests offering you a private area of our games bar in Birmingham.
-42.jpg)
.avif)
