The dos & don’ts of planning a corporate holiday party
Have you started thinking about your corporate holiday party yet? If you haven’t, consider this your sign to begin planning, since the holiday season is fast approaching, and organizing an event as important as this should never be done at the last minute.
Hosting a big corporate event like a holiday party is a great opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate the upcoming holidays. A corporate holiday party is also a fantastic way to thank the staff for their hard work and to express how much the company appreciates them.
Planning a holiday party for your company can sometimes be tricky and stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s important that you host a party where everyone feels welcome and able to have fun, while still keeping in mind your budget and the event timing. To help guide you through the planning of your corporate holiday party, we have laid out some dos and don’ts for you to consider as the holiday season quickly approaches.
Do this for your corporate holiday party:
Do make the party anything you want it to be
Corporate parties have a reputation for being dull, but this doesn’t have to be the reality for your work event. Don’t be afraid to get creative and plan a party that allows your staff to enjoy the holidays all together. There isn’t a predetermined corporate holiday party blueprint, so don’t think you have to adhere to any specific themes, food choices, or venue options.
Plan a party that is authentic to your company culture. If you’re looking for an elegant evening, consider hosting a black-tie gala fundraiser with exciting food, an open bar, and all the dancing. If you want something a bit more intimate, consider an intimate and classy catered dinner with just the executives at home. For an evening that’s more laidback, you can host a casual and fun cocktail party at a local venue.
Do plan and book in advance
Whether you’re looking to hire an external company to plan your corporate holiday party for you, or you want the chance to wow your staff with your own party planning skills, you’ll want to start the process well before the winter. Venues and caterers tend to book up quickly, so now is the perfect time to start reaching out to vendors to inquire about details for your party.
Planning and booking vendors early will also help ease your stress. November and December can be a hectic time for businesses as you finish any end-of-year tasks, so getting ahead and starting the party planning process early can help you have a smooth and stress-free end of year.
Do use a Pinterest board
A Pinterest board is great for keeping track of ideas and inspiring new ones as you begin planning your corporate holiday party. While event inspiration boards are often used in wedding planning, Pinterest can be a wealth of knowledge for any type of party planning, and can help your corporate holiday party stand out.
We love Pinterest for many reasons. A Pinterest board can help relay your ideas to your vendors, since they’ll have visual representation of your plan. Using Pinterest can also be a great platform to collaborate with other members of your company party planning committee, and communicate the details to managers so they remain aware of what the overall plan is.
Don’t do this for your corporate holiday party:
Don’t feel like you need to adhere to your brand colours
Just because you’re organizing a corporate holiday party, doesn’t mean you need to use your brand colours when decorating the venue. Incorporating your company colours into the holiday party is a great way to reinforce your brand, but you can also branch away from the colours you’re familiar with as a company, and still plan a successful party.
Choose a colour scheme that feels right for your corporate holiday party. If you want a strong sense of branding at your event, there’s nothing wrong with using your company colours. If you don’t want to adhere to your brand’s colours for your end-of-year party, consider using different options for a refreshing change.
Don’t forget gifts and favours
Since the holidays are a time of giving, don’t forget to surprise your staff with a gift or favour that they can leave your party with. Staff gifts are a nice way of showing your employees and coworkers how much you value them. These favours can be anything from gift cards to a cherished local restaurant, company logo mugs, or chocolates from a local chocolatier.
If you are looking for a gift that’s unique, contact our sister company, Harp & Fin, to work with the team to create elevated and custom gift boxes that make such a thoughtful corporate holiday party gift.
Don’t forget to consider allergies and dietary restrictions
It’s important to consider allergies and dietary restrictions as you’re planning the party, so everyone attending feels included. Including some alternative options where needed will help you create a memorable menu that works for everyone attending, ensuring all guests have a wonderful time.
If you’re not sure whether allergies and food restrictions will pose a problem for your party, consider taking a workplace poll to help identify what alternative options you need to plan for.
It’s time to plan your corporate holiday party
With enough time and planning, a corporate holiday party can be less stressful to organize, and will be a fun and memorable event for all. With the help of our mini guide on party planning dos and don’ts, you can host an unforgettable end-of-year party that your guests will truly enjoy.
If you’re looking for more hands-on help with your holiday party planning, you can turn to an event planning expert to make your day come together seamlessly. Contact our team here at Fresh Look Design to find out more about what we can do for your corporate holiday party. We can’t wait to work with you!