7 Things to Consider Before Booking Your Holiday Party
The holidays are quickly approaching and it’s time to start thinking about where you’ll host your holiday party this year. Avoid stress by planning early and asking yourself the right questions when you get started.
Holiday parties are a major morale booster. Parties bring employees closer together, encourage team collaboration and enrich the culture of the company. They show appreciation for everyone’s efforts throughout the year.
Do a little homework before you book a venue. These simple steps will help you plan your holiday party.
1. Ask people what they want to do.
Ask your employees and coworkers for their input and participation. If there are only a few people on your team who enjoy the outdoors, then hosting an outdoor party shouldn’t be high on your list. You won’t please everyone, but soliciting feedback helps you find a holiday party venue most people will enjoy.
2. Set the date.
The sooner you can get it on the calendar, the better! Now is the perfect time to schedule your holiday party. Employees make plans to visit family and host parties of their own during the holidays, so by reserving your holiday party in advance helps ensure adequate attendance the day of your party.
3. Coordinate a competitive activity.
Parties can be a bit rough for introverts and shy team members. Incorporate fun games to help everyone break the ice, get involved and foster team building activities. Try letting your employees choose their own teams for a little healthy competition. Raise the stakes and encourage more participation by offering incentives (like gift cards) to local restaurants or breweries.
4. Don’t forget the entertainment.
No one wants to mingle for two hours straight. A holiday party isn’t complete without some form of entertainment. While having a DJ is an option, some may be hesitant to dance alongside people they work with every day. If dancing isn’t for your crew, conduct a quick poll to figure out everyone’s favorite types of music and make a playlist.
5. Be ready to accommodate diverse palettes.
Allergies, pickiness and preferences are common. Make sure you know what kinds of food people like — more specifically, what they don’t like — and be ready to serve a variety of different foods. Don’t forget dessert! Find out if there are any food allergies or dietary restrictions among the team.
6. Decide if you’ll allow guests.
Parties can get expensive. It’s important to know if you’ll allow your employees to bring guests; and if so, how many. Often times, a plus one is acceptable depending on the situation. In more casual settings, more than one guest may be appropriate.
As an employer, accommodating for a large group of people can be overwhelming and costly. If you decide to let your employees plan the appetizers and finger foods, a potluck might be a more realistic route.
7. Consider teaming up with a charity.
Your employees or coworkers may find it more enticing to show up to a corporate holiday party if there’s some good deed-doing involved. If there’s a charity your company is passionate about, find out how you can help the organization raise some money while you sip your Strongbow. Consider setting up a raffle and reward those who donate generously.
