The Basics of Hosting a Corporate Holiday Party

With the holiday season upon us, it is time to indulge in some fun festivities. While they may not be everyone’s favorite, corporate holiday parties are a great way to embrace the spirit of the season and also motivate and encourage your employees. When planned the right way, they can also be an effective team-building exercise. If you are planning a holiday party at your company, you need to come up with the perfect plan to make it an event that every guest will enjoy. Don’t know where to start? That’s why we are here.

Read on to find out some of the most important things that you should do when planning a holiday party at your workplace.

1. Decide on the type of party

The first step in the planning process is deciding the kind of party you want - how you want the party to be like and what are the goals. Are you going to invite all the employees? Is it only for the management? Is it going to be an outdoor event? Another thing that you should decide is if it should be a casual or formal affair because even though a party is supposed to be fun and relaxing, it is still an office event.

2. Set a budget

You should have a fixed budget for your company’s Christmas party. Create a budget including everything you will or may need. You can get some ideas from previous parties. The budget should be done in advance so that you have enough time for planning everything else, shopping and finalizing all the arrangements.

3. Create an event timeline

If you want to avoid undue stress and also ensure that the party is a success, an event timeline is your best friend. Without a fixed timeline, you may find yourself losing focus and in worst cases, missing deadlines. You must set a timeline for all the logistics that include booking venues, caterers, staff and so on. This will prevent last-minute surprises.

4. Select a venue

Depending on the space you have in your office, you can choose a venue for the party. Sometimes, hosting it at the office itself might take away from the atmosphere. If you have the budget, rent an event venue. Hosting the party outside the office will also eliminate inhibitions of your employees and allow them to connect on a personal level.

5. Find your entertainment

What makes a holiday party fun? The guests, the food, and more importantly, the entertainment. To make your party worth remembering, you need to make sure that your guests enjoy and feel engaged. Live bands, dancers, comedians, and even game show entertainment acts can be great options. You can also organize interactive activities like murder mysteries and hypnotist acts.

With these simple tips, you will surely be off to a great start with your corporate party planning.