With the holiday season right around the corner, businesses
are hosting parties to relax, celebrate, and show gratitude. Office holiday
parties can be fun, but with a list of questions ranging from location to food
and entertainment, planning it can be stressful. Here are some helpful office
party planning tips to inspire you this year!
Eat it Up
If you are hosting a party in the office, consider a potluck
dinner, or catered food from the office’s favorite restaurant. Take it a step
further by bringing in food trucks. Food trucks are very popular right now and
not limited to taste. With food trucks ranging from tacos to gourmet-style
meals, it is a great way to support local businesses.
Did Somebody say Ugly
Holiday Sweater Party?
Do you remember that sweater your aunt gave you years ago
for Christmas. You know, the one that is so heinous the thrift store did not
even want it? Pull it out of the box, dust it off, and throw it on! Ugly, or
tacky, holiday sweater parties not only provide a great laugh to all of the
attendees, but are a great way to remind everyone that, while it is an office
party, it can still be fun!
Take it a step further by having attendees make their own
ugly sweaters, or host a contest with prizes for tackiest sweater, most holiday
spirit, strangest saying on the sweater, etc. This will incentivize everyone to
participate! By providing the sweaters
for the partygoers, it is less expense on them, and more fun for all.
Party for a Reason Other than the Season
The holiday season is also coined the season of giving. By
including a charity fundraiser or raffle, participants have the opportunity to
donate to a cause.
Take
it a step further: Survey partygoers to determine the charity. This will make
them feel more involved in the decision making process and more likely to
purchase additional raffle tickets.
Attire
If you are hosting a party outside of the confines of the
office, but are not hosting a costume party, make the attire something
comfortable. Casual
attire will help the team relax and to truly enjoy the evening.
Pump the Jams
Don’t rely on Christmas music as background noise. Have a
cover band come in to play some great 80’s and 90’s pop music, or hire a DJ to
liven up the mood of the party. Remember, just because it is an office holiday
party, does not mean it should be boring.
White Elephant Gift
Exchange
A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a simple concept: Everyone
brings a present, draws a number, and then picks a gift from the pile. This
takes the pressure off of buying gifts for everyone, and ensures that everyone
gets a gift. Putting a gift price cap on the gift exchange takes away the
stress or obligation to get something over-the-top. Here are some
great, inexpensive office holiday party gift ideas.
Take it a step further: Each person has the opportunity to
pick from the pile, or “steal” a gift that has already been opened. A present
can only be “stolen” once.
For raffles, white elephant and other party activities, you
are going to need supplies, so stock up on promotional pens and
necessities!
Office holiday parties should be fun, and planning one
should not be the holiday nightmare. What office holiday party tips would you
add to the list?
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