Even though the bells and snow of Christmas still seem a little too far away to start thinking about presents and mistletoe, it is the perfect time to start planning your office Christmas party. It really is wise to start planning early, as for venues both large and small and party rental companies, Christmas is often their busiest time of year. Beat the rush and start planning ahead to avoid unnecessary stress – office Christmas parties are supposed to be fun after all. Check out some of the top tips below: they may just help your office festive celebration be the best one yet.
1. Budget
How much money you have available will determine the sort of party you can host. A successful office Christmas party doesn’t have to cost a fortune, so don’t panic if you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend. Find out how much money your office has set aside for such festive occasions, and go from there.
2. Dates
The sooner you start thinking about dates, the larger the number of people who are likely to be available to make it to your office party. Chances are, you’ll struggle to find a date when literally everyone in your office can make it, particularly the closer you get to Christmas itself. You may have to come to terms with the fact that there will be people who can’t attend. Cut your losses and pick a date that the majority of people are available. You never know, if you throw a completely over-the-top office party, people may be able to rearrange their other plans.
3. Location
As we mentioned earlier, venues are often booked well in advance of Christmas. Your event doesn’t have to be held at the 4-star restaurant down the street. Planning in advance will help alleviate this problem, but you still might end up disappointed if you bank on one location. Find out from your colleagues the type of activities they enjoy – whether they’d rather have a formal dinner, go bowling, or hire out a pub and have a good ol’ fashioned boogie – and compile a list of suitable venues. Or, your local party rental company can help you transform your office cafeteria or building lobby into a party place all your own. Don’ discount the location right under your nose. The right type of tables, linens, music and decorations will make that special party – and save you a bucket full of money.
4. Theme
Adding a theme to your office Christmas party can add that extra bit of something to the evening. Whether it’s fancy dress, costumes, or an activity like a gift exchange, it’ll give people something to talk about other than work – if your office is the kind of place that needs prompting! It could also be a good idea to invite some old faces – work friends who may have left the company but are still in touch with a lot of people at the office.
5. Get everyone involved with the decoration
A Christmas office party wouldn’t be truly in the festive spirit without the appropriate decorations. Your local rental company can help you with balloons, garland, festive linens and buffet tables. Check with the venue whether you are allowed to bring your own linens or decorations first before going into decoration-planning mode. If you get the green light, asking people attending the party to bring a tree decoration with them can be a great touch. You could even do this with the office Christmas tree, rather than just for the party. Gift wrap empty boxes make, fake snow and poinsettia plants can create a holiday theme very inexpensively.
6. Mingle
The best parties have a mix of seating that takes the personalities of guests into account—lounge seating by the dance floor for the party animals, lots of high-top cocktail tables and tall communal tables by the bar to create a bar scene, a dark lounge tucked away so that wallflowers feel cool and have a space to observe, traditional guest seating for older folks, and a reserved place for senior management to hold court. Building the floor plan should take real people into account. Your local rental company can help with tables and seating options.
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