The Holiday’s are just around the corner and your office has awarded you with the coveted role of Holiday Party Planner. This task can sound daunting but with a few easy tips your party will go on without a hitch and you’ll be the office hero! Follow these tips and plan your event with Ball and it will be smooth sailing, or sledding to keep up with the holiday theme!
1. Choose A Unique Venue
Let’s be honest, how many years has the holiday party been in the same location? If the same restaurant or hotel ballroom has been used more than two years in a row – it is time for a change. We have several event spaces to choose from depending on the size of your office and the type of party you want to throw.
2. Leave Catering To The Professionals
While a potluck meal can be fun, it can also bring with it a fair amount of stress for both the planner and their guests. We have several catering companies we recommend to help you decide on a great menu to accommodate your entire guest list – including those with special dietary needs. Remember that Turkey, Ham, and Sweet Potato casserole might be stale for your guests – so consider changing it up! Of course you can’t forget the bar. Don’t want to have an open bar for the entire evening? Offer a specific number of drink tickets per guest that can be used for alcoholic beverages. This also gives your company leadership the ability to personally welcome each guest upon arrival.
3. A Party Without Entertainment Is Just A Dinner
The success of your company party is directly related to the type of entertainment you are offering. A high energy live band or DJ is a must. A professional entertainer will know just how to get your wallflowers onto the floor dancing the night away. Be sure to allocate time for your senior leadership to speak to their guests. Anything more than 15 minutes becomes a meeting, so make sure you keep it up-beat!
4. Open Up The Guest List
The first question everyone will ask when they get their invite is can I bring my significant other or children? We suggest addressing this question on your invitation to clear up any confusion. If you are having an evening party, you will definitely want to open up your guest list to your employee and a guest. This is sure to keep the evening fun and will help your employees cut loose a little. Send those invitations out early. The holidays are always a busy time and social calendars fill up quickly. Consider having the company party on a weeknight instead of a weekend.
5. Have Fun
We recommend using an event coordinator to manage the logistics of your event. This is an extremely valuable resource and ensures that you can enjoy the evening as well. This is your holiday party too and you don’t want to spend it managing the opportunities that are sure to arise. Meet with your event coordinator in advance and outline a game plan for some of the more common challenges including the handling of additional guests that haven’t rsvp’d, an employee that may have enjoyed the open bar a little too much, and in the case of the great party you are sure to have – how long do you want to extend the evening and keep the party hopping!
Plan your party with Ball and it will be the the buzz around the office for the next year! Make sure to check out our resources page after you’ve booked with us to find the perfect catering company and even a videographer to document the evening!