How to Plan Your First Company Christmas Party

The holiday season is approaching and that means it's time to show our gratitude. This year, throw your team a party that shows how much you really value them. Company holiday parties are an opportunity to let your employees relax, enjoy some good food, and chat with one another about something other than work. If your team is working remotely, it's a chance for a few hours of drinks and in-person conversation. But countless factors go into planning a good party--food, location, date, budget, and more. Here's our guide to crushing your company Christmas party this year.

Choosing Your Holiday Party Venue

This one is huge. Not only does your venue set the tone for the event, but also dictates how many of your employees will be able/willing to attend. Are you hosting a party for a small group of 10-30 people? Or closer to 100 attendees? Consider how many you're inviting, as well as if you'd like it to be a seated dinner or a cocktail party. This is the first step to narrowing down your venue.

Once you know what kind of Christmas party you're hosting and how many will be invited, it's time to choose your venue. Pay careful attention to location in this step. Where do most of your employees commute from? Can you find a central location to minimize the commute for everyone? The easiest move here might be to find a venue in the same area as your office, as everyone is used to traveling there. When considering a venue, carefully look into what's included in each package. Some venues might have restrictions on food & drink vendors, decor, or entertainment. Other venues might include things such as linens, chairs, flatware, and more. These kinds of package deals can be very beneficial when putting together a large event, so look carefully at what each venue has to offer.

Set the Date

Christmas party = Christmas weekend. Right? Wrong. December is a busy time for everyone. Your team will be spending the days they're not working shopping for family & friends, planning their Christmas dinner, coordinating travel plans, and so much more. Stuffing the holiday party at the end of December just out of tradition might only result in a lack of attendees. It's nice to pick a date where your party is going to be a refreshment and not just another item on their to-do list. Consider hosting your holiday party around the very beginning of December or midway through January. Attending a holiday party at the beginning of December can be a nice, cozy segue into the Christmas season. Having one in January can bring some of that spirit back. Don't be afraid to choose a couple of dates and ask around, especially with some of your core team members. You'll get some valuable input on timing and preferences.

Decide on the Mood of Your Christmas Party

Are you planning on hosting a classic Christmas dinner, a themed party, or something else? Decide on the vibe you'd like your party to have ahead of time so your menu and decor can complement that. Be sure to also inform your guests in advance of details such as the dress code. If you're going with a theme party, make sure your venue is the appropriate backdrop for that.

Company Christmas Party Decor

Here's where it gets exciting. So much of the holiday magic is about decor. The smell of the tree, the twinkling lights, and the glints of gold and silver. When it comes to decorating, planning ahead is key. The last thing you want is to plan an elaborate dinner and end up with the leftover Christmas decorations. Think about your venue as a canvas, what kind of decor will complement it best? Are you looking for a traditional Christmas look? Something more contemporary? If your company is native to Southeastern Pennsylvania, you can work with the experts of holiday decorating. Our team puts together custom Christmas designs for each and every one of our clients. We love putting together subtle snow scenes, elaborate foliage centerpieces, and so much more. Philly businesses: if you're looking for ease, check it out now.

Creating the Holiday Party Menu

If it's up to us, hire a caterer. Christmas is a busy time of year for anyone, but especially business owners. You're wrapping up all of your annual work, taking on new projects, and managing client relationships. The last thing you'll want to do is cook. If it's in your budget, we highly recommend hiring a professional caterer. If a seated catered dinner is not part of your budget, consider a cocktail party or Christmas brunch instead. A caterer will think about efficiently feeding a large group of people while still factoring in common dietary requirements. Plus you'll have the chance to mingle and enjoy the party as well.

Give Each of Your Team Members a Small Gift

If you have the capability, it's a lovely idea to have a small gift prepared for each of your employees. It doesn't have to be anything big. A box of chocolates, a bottle of wine, or a Starbucks gift card can go a long way in showing your gratitude for your employees. Want to show extra appreciation for your team? Gift them an extra day of vacation. They will surely value the respite, and it will only contribute to each employee's wellbeing in the long run.

Ready to make this Christmas party the best one yet? Contact us for an individualized quote & consultation.