10 Tips for Planning a Successful Holiday Office Party
Make your office party the can't-miss event of the year with these helpful tips and tricks! Done properly, office parties are a tremendous opportunity to boost morale, reduce turnover and invigorate your office culture. We'll show you how to save money and throw an awesome office party at the same time with the tips below.
Timing is everything.
The unfortunate truth is that most employees don't want to spend a Friday night with their boss, even if there is an open bar or a lavish dinner involved. Especially during the holidays, dedicating a late night or weekend to an office party can be burdensome to people who already have full holiday schedules and strained budgets. Employees who have to dedicate extra resources to travel, child care and other considerations will not want to attend.
Schedule your office party during normal business hours, if possible. Your employees will enjoy the break from work almost as much as they enjoy the party itself! The company will save a significant sum by eliminating the expectation of a "plus one" invitation and taking advantage of lower luncheon prices.
Choose an affordable, festive location.
Ideally, companies should opt to celebrate at a location that is near the office and reflects the company culture. Although some companies have opted to host their parties at arcades or art galleries, the easiest and most affordable space is the one you already possess: the office.
Of course, you don't want to celebrate in a workspace. Try rearranging the furniture in the room you designate for the party, as it can completely reinvent the vibes in the space. Set the mood by turning the harsh overhead lights off and rely instead on festive, colored lights and lamps. Some of the money saved on the venue can be invested into quality decorations that can be reused every year!
Provide an abundance of food.
Food is a staple for holiday parties, whether you're hosting a potluck or a catered meal. Be sure to provide plenty of appetizers, finger foods, or even full meals for your guests. Include options for vegetarian, gluten-free and other specific dietary needs - it may be wise to inquire about food sensitivities in advance.
Hosting the party potluck-style is an easy way to ensure variety. Ask all employees to bring their favorite dish to share! However, potluck participation is notoriously unreliable, so companies should be prepared to provide enough main dish and beverages for all guests, just in case. As an additional option, ask employees to contribute desserts or appetizers instead of main courses.
Prepare for responsible alcohol consumption.
Four out of five office holiday parties serve alcohol, according to a study by the Wall Street Journal. Although some companies consider alcohol a necessary holiday staple, it's important to ensure that employees drink responsibly. In some cases, companies can be held liable for the consequences of their employee's consumption at the party.
Some ways to ensure that alcohol is consumed responsibly include:
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- Restricting alcoholic beverages to beer and wine only.
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- Distributing Wine Country Gift Baskets in lieu of serving alcohol.
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- Track consumption with drink tickets.
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- Limit the bar's open hours or employee's drink count.
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- Hire a trained bartender.
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- Provide transportation home.
Provide opportunities for employees to socialize.
Office culture can be very cliquish. Although friendships cannot be forced, it is important to foster an inclusive company culture. As you plan your holiday office party, look for opportunities to encourage employees to make new friendships. This can be done by incorporating icebreaker games, team-building exercises, a talent show, or potluck-style dessert table into the event.
Give them something to do.
Many office parties fail because they are little more than catered lunches. If employees don't have anything to do but eat, drink and socialize, they will become bored quickly and leave early.
The entertainment you provide should align with your company culture. Some IT firms have found great success with incorporating video games and programming challenges into their events. Others have offered product testing, cooking demonstrations, games and live music. Be creative, and brainstorm what will work for your particular office niche!
Give them something to take home.
Use the money you've saved with these tips to provide gifts for your employees. Popular gift items include cash, gift cards and gift baskets. Wine Country Gift Baskets make excellent, affordable gifts for your employees, and there are several options that do not include wine. They are simple, budget-friendly, and elegant.
Give them a chance to give back.
Giving is the theme of the holiday season. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management reports that 78 percent of companies engage in charitable giving. However, relatively few companies include their employees in their charitable activities.
Incorporate the opportunity to give at your holiday party. Solicit donations to the local food bank, Angel Tree, or the Toys for Tots program, and encourage participation by offering to match each donation. Another popular way that people love to give during the holidays involves 'adopting' a child in foreign countries through organizations such as Food for the Hungry. You can also offer to reward the individual or department who contributes the most.
Limit company liability as much as possible.
Hosting a holiday party, especially one that involves alcohol, carries legal risk. It's important to avoid any accusations of discrimination or harassment. Avoiding religious-specific decorations, encouraging appropriate attire, and discouraging dancing are easy ways to mitigate these risks.
Never ask your employees to pay.
It is better to skip the party altogether than to expect your employees to contribute to the expense. Be sure to keep the costs for guests, and their plus one’s, as low as possible. Whatever type of holiday office party you plan, we hope these tips help make it safe, fun and successful! Happy holidays!
