8 Top Tips for Planning Your Office Christmas Party
So, you’ve been asked to plan your work Christmas party, and you have no idea where to start. Rather than dragging your heels, why not see this as an opportunity to flex your creative muscles? As long as you remain organized, planning a party doesn’t need to be stressful – it can actually be enjoyable once you get your ideas in motion.
That said, there is a lot to consider, and it can sometimes feel like our resources as an employee are being tested when we’re asked to plan an event. You’ll want to impress your co-workers with a night to remember, so here are eight top tips for planning the ultimate work Christmas party.
Start Now
Some restaurants and event halls start advertising for seasonal party bookings in January, others in the summer, so you can never be too organized when it comes to planning a work Christmas party. The sooner you start looking, the higher your chance of finding a suitable venue.
Bag the Perfect Venue
To decide on the right venue for your event, you’ll need to first settle on numbers. How many people will be attending? If it’s fifteen, you might want to consider booking a table at a nearby restaurant or bar. If your invite list reads more like fifty guests, you will need to find a venue that can cater to your numbers. If you have a lot of employees attending then, for example, a conference center at Thrasher-Horne Center can be ideal for parties and events.
Organize Music
Music is an essential ingredient of any great party. You could opt for a DJ or even a live band if your budget allows. You don’t need to spend money here, however; instead, why not create a playlist on your phone or tablet and hook it up to a sound system at your venue? Be sure to include some festive favorites!
Book the Right Caterer
If you’re using an outsourced venue for your party, it’s worth asking the managers if they can provide catering, or if there is a service they can recommend. You also need to decide on the scale of the food offering: will it be a sit-down meal with three courses, or just canapés and drinks?
Don’t Forget Decorations
Christmas is all about decorations. Get people in high spirits by using tinsel, twinkly lights, wreaths and Christmas ornaments. Again, the scale of your decorations will depend on your budget. If money is tight, you could always opt for hand-foraged decorations, such as holly, ivy and foliage. Check out Pinterest for more inspiration.
Secret Santa
Gift giving is an essential part of Christmas. However, most people can’t afford to buy presents for all of their colleagues, which is why workplaces usually opt for the Secret Santa rule. Make sure you get this organized well in advance and send a reasonable price limit, so your co-workers have enough time to buy a gift.
Play Games
Everyone gets sillier after a festive cocktail or two, so holiday parties are the best time to instigate some teambuilding games. You could try pass-the-parcel, pin the nose on Rudolf, or invent a fun game of your own. Games are sure to get everybody giggling, and they can also be a great ice-breaking activity. As the party organizer, it might well be your job to ensure everyone behaves themselves.
Keep It Simple
Don’t overcomplicate things and make life difficult for yourself. As long as you find a big enough venue, some form of entertainment (music is ideal), and provide food and drink, your party is sure to be a resounding success.
