The holidays are only weeks away so it’s time to get serious about planning your company’s holiday party. Instead of throwing another boring corporate party get creative with these party planning tips.
Venue is Key: Think outside the ballroom and find something a little eccentric for your employees such as a theater, a stable, a record store or a whiskey distillery. An interesting location will make your employees feel like they’re experiencing something fun and exciting, which will immediately set the right tone for the evening.
Make it Musical: It’s all about the music. We can all think back to that time, we were in that place, with that special someone all because of a particular song that came on the radio. Music is an important mood-setting tool. If you can’t book a great band or hire a DJ, ask your most musically savvy employee to devise a spectacular playlist for the party. Nothing makes a party less memorable than boring music and subsequently, dull conversation.
Get the Group Engaged: Already booked a ballroom, no problem, bring in a great team bonding activity. Book a spa to give your employees well deserved manicures and massages or bring in a sushi chef to help teach your employees how to prepare a California roll. If you are on a tight budget give out white elephant gifts. (A white elephant gift exchange is when you exchange gently used items from your home.) Imagine the possibilities. The key is to get the group interacting in a positive manner.
Booze it up: Nothing makes people feel more comfortable like a couple cocktails. Plan a signature cocktail with your caterer or bartender that reflects your company’s mission or product. Make it a little fun and offer the recipe card to take home. Every time they make the drink they will reflect on what a great party it was.
Let them Speak: Get a great guest speaker. Pull a favor from a radio host, comedian, or interesting local personality to help entertain your guests. Although that guy from IT is pretty funny, having a professional host certainly steps up your party atmosphere and keeps the evening flowing, just as much as the alcohol.
-Mandi Pryor
Need Additional Party Planning Help? Contact Mandi at MP Marketing and PR at mandipryor@mpmarketingandpr.com or call 412-737-3347
That’s truly awesome tips and I must agree that you have mentioned everything quite nicely. I attended a holiday party last month at a local Chicago event space and it was simply awesome. Really loved it and will be hosting something similar this year.
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