6 Steps to Hosting the Best Corporate Christmas Party
Who doesn’t love a good party? And if it’s a Christmas party at work, it needs to be nothing short of amazing. Corporate Christmas parties can be a downer if not ideated, planned, and executed well.
However, with the right mix of creative ideas and imaginative suggestions (and a sprinkle of a generous party budget), you can develop your tailored recipe for a roar-some office Christmas party. Don’t limit your creative juices to serving fruit punch, unwrapping Secret Santa gifts, and dancing around the tree.
Follow this 6-step checklist and buckle up to host an unforgettable corporate Christmas bash!
1. Round Up Feedback and Suggestions
Before you even pen down your ideas for the party, why not leverage previous party feedback and lend an ear to what your team really, REALLY wants? Gather opinions and suggestions from your employees to take stock of their interest and enthusiasm.
The simplest way to do this is by floating an online form or a questionnaire. It may be best to complete this step well in advance as it can be a time-consuming process. But this extra effort will make your team feel valued and raise the levels of anticipation for your grand Christmas party.
2. Reserve the Perfect Venue
The next step is to select a venue. Remember the suggestions that you gathered earlier? Allocate some time to go through the suggestions with your party planning team and narrow down the venue.
It is not a strict requirement that a corporate Christmas party take place indoors. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box, and be open to considering an outdoor venue!
You can host your corporate Christmas party outdoors and make it a lot of fun too! How? By including a number of exciting activities to celebrate and bond with your team. There’s nothing like a good adrenaline rush before the Christmas and New Year break rolls in.
However, be quick on your feet and book the venue in advance, or you might just miss hopping on the party bus!
3. Set a Theme and Dress Code
A party with a specific theme is guaranteed to up the excitement levels. You can either select a theme based on suggestions from your team or decide one unanimously. Whether you choose Winter Wonderland or Jungle Safari, make sure you plan the decor and venue layout accordingly.
Furthermore, set the tone with a dress code to keep the atmosphere lively and abuzz with excitement. Request your employees to wear attire in sync with the theme or complement it. For instance, a James Bond theme may see your employees double up in a tuxedo as double-O seven himself, whereas for a classic Christmas theme, you’re likely to witness your workforce donning the best Christmas jumpers, ugly sweaters and festive pyjamas to usher the spirit of the festive season.
Bear in mind to suggest warm and comfortable clothing options if you plan on having outdoor activities.
4. Plan the Catering and Drinks
No party is complete without scrumptious party food and drinks. Typical party snacks like chips and dip and similar finger food are a great place to start. Pair your food with everyday and seasonal drink options, where there is something for everyone.
Your staff’s preferences in food and drinks are a really important factor before deciding the perfect party menu. It’s good to have a diverse range of food and drink options that cater to most tastes, from vegans to meat-eaters. It may be best to play a bit safe and choose food that the majority of the attendees will like instead of something completely novel and unheard of.
Add that extra oomph to your party by planning all, or at least some of the food that matches with the theme of choice. For instance, if your chosen theme is Island Getaway, having virgin mojitos in a cut pineapple along with finger food made from exotic ingredients is a surefire way to rev up both the appetite and interest of all.
5. Set Up a Photo Booth
A Christmas party is beyond a corporate social event; it’s a fun and festive celebration with your employees. What better way to remember the event than with photographs?
Hire a photographer to capture the moments of fun as the event unfolds and at a photo booth set up. Your employees will love to pose and flash their festive enthusiasm in front of the lens. Up the camera quirk quotient with interesting theme-based photo booth props.
If hiring a photographer goes beyond your office party budget, go for instant Polaroids instead! Not only will they capture the party magic, but the photos will make for a great keepsake!
6. Play Great Music
Good music sets the mood for a party. While it’s great to have a DJ to bring the party atmosphere to life, a good playlist can also work. For a traditional party theme, create a playlist of classic holiday songs and Christmas tunes.
For a more livelier them, you can go wrong with pop music. Create a playlist with the latest hits and dance numbers and belt them out to set the party mood and bring everyone on the floor to dance.
To Sum Up
Wrap up your party by exchanging presents and expressing heartfelt gratitude to your employees. Remember, workplace Christmas parties need not be a boring affair restricted to the office meeting room and can extend beyond the four walls of your office. Our 6-step checklist will surely put the party gear in full throttle and make it a smashing success. Throw a Christmas party that fills your employees with enthusiasm and anticipation for the next year.
