Throwing an Office Holiday Party? Here’s Your Planning Guide
Your office is gearing up for your next holiday party. It’s the rare affair where everyone gets to bond together, relax and celebrate. As the leader of the pack, you’re given the ultimate task of putting things together for the once-in-a-year gathering. The thing is, you don’t know where to begin. You almost choke on a sip of coffee and start to stress like never before. Relax! Here are some easy guidelines and tips so you and your office buddies get the most out of your special event.
Get your theme up
Start with the basics: agenda, venue, how many people are coming, food and beverage selections, and the party theme. If you want your guests to keep talking about how wonderful your party is, these elements should be well taken care of.
Now even if you’re feeling like a superhero, you can’t pull off your party all by yourself. You will need to create committees or sub-groups to handle all party essentials including food, venue, decorations, and most especially the program. (You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders!) Pro Tip: Poll your colleagues on what they want for a party.
When it comes to the theme, your company get-together doesn’t have to be boring. Costume parties are still a thing but spice it up with something interesting like a decade theme party. From the rock and roll 50s to the go-go 90s, you’ve got choices to make your holiday party a blast. The most unforgettable party I’ve attended is, in fact, a 90s party—when denim was all the rage! Ladies were all hyped up and danced away in their flared pants and block heels.
If you’re on the budget-conscious side, an office potluck is always welcome. It’s a simple way to cheer your team up and celebrate diversity by honoring different cuisines. Just make sure to coordinate with the other guests to find out what everyone else is bringing. An office potluck lets everyone have a feast without getting them too overwhelmed.
Timing is everything
It’s important that you pick the most effective time to hold your event. Many companies schedule their staff parties in December because the holidays are a time to celebrate! So if you have set your sights on a December celebration, secure space for your holiday party months in advance. Although competition for slots is pretty tight, many venues don’t get full calendars during this time. But don’t close your door on an off-season event, say October or late January because of the increased availability of venue options. This is if you want to turn your party into an event specifically for employee appreciation.
The next decision you’ll have to make is whether you’re having a lunch or evening party. Evening parties are often hosted on weekends while lunch gatherings are usually held on weekdays. Evening parties are more fun but expensive. So if you’re trying to control costs, a lunch party with a sit-down meal just as a thank-you is not a bad idea. Whatever type of party you imagine—a breakfast party, a luncheon or a night shindig, set a date and make your event timeline.
Come up with something FUN
Although picking the best theme, food and venue is important, what matters most would be the memories you create with your colleagues. So keep them engaged and delight them with fun activities. Some can be pricey like hiring a band or a DJ to get your guests mingling and out on the dance floor.
Some inexpensive ways to keep them entertained include party games like Christmas Gift Wrap Relay and Christmas Carol Charades. My favorite would always be the Tree Relay where you get to decorate a person as a Christmas tree! A gift exchange between employees is a time-honored tradition but may not work well for large companies. If you belong to a huge organization, you can also do an awards ceremony. Let your coworkers nominate people for the rookie of the year or MVP. It’s a great way to showcase employee appreciation.
Now to top it all off, why not add a fun photo booth? It’s the best way to break the ice among guests and create lasting memories. Who would not love seeing the corporate accounting guys doing something hilarious, and there’s nothing to capture the antics? A digital photo booth offers a lot of flexibility as you can use custom props and backgrounds, which you can tie in with the party theme so you can focus on actually having fun. After all, that’s what’s an office holiday party is about—connecting with your coworkers and celebrating the season!