Ho-hold onto your Santa hats, party planners! It’s time to deck the halls with boughs of awesome and sprinkle some Zazzle magic on your company’s holiday shindig. Whether you’re the CEO or just the team who drew the short straw for party planning duty, we’re here to help you sleigh this festive challenge!
There’s a little more to planning a company holiday party than simply serving up a few sugar cookies and putting some tinsel on a miniature tree in the corner… But don’t fret! By taking a few steps, you can transform a basic into brilliant with a marvelous holiday party that everybody will be talking about well into the new year! Read through the following tips to craft a fabulous and fun holiday event for the books.
Save the Date
First, lock down that date faster than you can say “mistletoe”! Make sure to give people around a month’s notice! It’s common for companies to hold their holiday parties during the first or second weekend of December, before the major end-of-month festivities. Once you lock down your date, it’s good to add a backup date in case your preferred venue is booked out.
Stick to a Budget
Having an idea of your budget is the second step on your party-planning conquest! Before you eagerly search for venues, entertainment, and décor, it’s a good idea to know how much you plan to spend, or how much budget has been allocated to you. Nothing kills the holiday spirit faster than realizing you blew all the cash on a chocolate fountain and now can’t afford chairs.
Pick The Theme
Time to pick a theme that’ll make your party pop like a Christmas cracker! Whether you’re channeling Elf or The Nightmare Before Christmas vibes or going down the fancier route with a cocktail attire theme, encourage your guests to dress their best (or worst, if it’s an ugly Christmas sweater theme). Put some extra thought into your party by choosing decorations, music, and food that encapsulate your theme for a soirée to remember!
Venue, Venue, Venue
The right location is key! While some companies host holiday parties at the office, nearby restaurants, bars, or event spaces also make great options. Make sure that there’s enough space available for your group, and that the venue is relatively easy for the attendees to reach. Once you’ve chosen a location, book the venue immediately so you won’t lose out on your top choice!
Excellent Entertainment
Now comes the most fun part: selecting the entertainment for your event! Cover bands that perform Christmas hits by the decades are always popular, as are fortune tellers, performance artists, and DIY photo booths. Since popular local acts will likely fill their schedules early, it’s important to book entertainers well in advance.
A Marvelous Menu
Delicious food is another major component of any great holiday party! You can opt for a formal sit-down dinner, or keep it casual by setting up a buffet. We love having a DIY hot drinks station where people can create their own over-the-top hot cocoa complete with whipped cream and marshmallows! You could also design a grazing table full of awesome snacks. Oh, and don’t forget the mulled wine and festive cocktails.
To Gift or Not to Gift?
Deciding on whether or not you’re going to do gifts at this party is an important thing to consider. Hosting an optional Secret Santa gift exchange is a tried-and-true method, or, brace yourselves for belly laughs with the fun that a white elephant gift exchange brings! If you’ve got the time and the budget for it, why not offer some small party favors for the attendees to take home after the event? With Zazzle, you can even add your company’s logo or branding to the design!
Send Custom Invitations
Don’t forget the importance of an attractive invite! Put maximum effort into your invites to show colleagues how epic the party will be. Select something that’s in line with the vibe of your event – a glitzy invite for a luxurious party, or a colorful invite for a more relaxed event open to staff and family alike.
Consider Staffing Needs
Even expert party planners need efficient staff members to handle different jobs throughout the event! Consider whether you need staff such as valet drivers, a coat check attendant, or caterers to help you pull off your dream holiday shindig.
Amazing Activities
Keep your guests busy throughout the event with holiday-themed activities or games! This is also a wonderful chance to break the ice and encourage team building within your business, strengthening team morale. Christmas movie trivia, tree decorating races, holiday karaoke, or DIY ornament decorating are some of our favorite ideas.
There you have it, folks! Follow these steps, and you’ll throw a company holiday party so Zamazing, it’ll make the North Pole jealous. Remember, the real spirit of the season is about coming together, letting loose, and celebrating another year of teamwork and success. Now go forth and make merry!
P.S. If all else fails, just spike the eggnog. Kidding! (Or are we?)
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
