There are signs that office holiday parties are beginning to reappear as an increasing number of businesses reap the rewards of a slowly improving economy. According to a new study and employer interviews, some businesses appear to be keeping the holiday cheer muted, though the bitter aftertaste of cost-cutting measures is still very much present in the thoughts of their workforce.
Global outplacement and business coaching company Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. conducted its annual survey on holiday parties and discovered that 64 percent of employers are planning holiday parties this year, up slightly from 62 percent last year. A little under 4% of people who are throwing parties this year did not throw any events for one or more years because of the recession.
Party budgets would be about the same as last year, according to the majority of respondents (76 percent).
Why should we host a company holiday party?
There are actually a lot of advantages to hosting a business holiday party, despite the frequent complaints.
You should think about one this year for the following top four reasons:
– It builds culture.
The Christmas party is a fantastic opportunity to show what your company is all about if you are attempting to develop your company culture (or if you currently have one and want to strengthen it).
Have an awards ceremony during the celebration if you want to emphasize individual acknowledgment. Consider inviting customers to the party if building solid relationships with customers is your thing.
Partying is enjoyable, too! Your staff members desire to have a good time. Having a Christmas party demonstrates that your business appreciates its employees’ happiness and that it is a genuinely enjoyable place to work, even though it may seem trivial in the great scheme of things.
– It boosts morale.
As employees take their holiday break, they will have a positive opinion of the firm and their work if the year has ended on a positive note with some fun and celebration. Additionally, it can be a great way to begin the New Year on a positive note, giving your team the motivation, they need to come back prepared to run at full speed.
– It helps you and your employees get to know one another.
For teams to be successful, it is important to get to know your employees as individuals, not just as workers. This objective can be achieved quite well by interacting with your staff during a social event.
You can get knowledge on how to get along with your staff members in a professional setting by paying attention to how they interact with one another, their visitors, and you.
Your staff will have a lot of fun getting to know one another while celebrating together. In the workplace, people frequently exclusively communicate with coworkers from their own departments.
Your coworkers can socialize and get to know people they might not normally have the chance to chat with on a regular basis by attending an inclusive workplace Christmas party. Team development, which is essential to achieving the greatest results, includes a major component of the social-employee connection.
Moreover, it’s simply enjoyable to meet new people, especially in such a joyful environment, whatever the outcome.
– It shows gratitude in a personal way.
It is true that offering your staff a year-end cash incentive or additional PTO is a decent way to appreciate their dedication. They will value a more intimate form of gratitude expression, nevertheless.
They are not just a faceless thing you can give a check to and call personal recognition; by throwing a party for them, you are demonstrating your value for them as both employees and individuals.
If you really want to go above and above, you might give out “awards” to workers at the celebration to let them know how much you value what they do for your company.
How can you create a party that your employees genuinely want to attend once you have made the decision to host it?
We understand that party planning is not everyone’s strong suit and may occasionally be a major hassle that takes a lot of time.
The Company Holiday Party Checklist
- • Pick a Date
- • Send a survey with a date choice to the staff.
- • Choose the day that receives the most votes.
- • A “save the date” is sent.
- • Plan for it
- • Identify the maximum spending limit.
- • Party components should be prioritized (entertainment, food, etc.)
- • Set aside money according to priorities (for example, 25% for meals and 40% for amusement).
- • Save a little extra, just in case!
- • Type of Party
- • Party beyond hours
- • A celebration at work
- • Formal occasion
- • Informal affair
- • Themed gathering (Casino Party)
- • The activity involved (ice skating, lake cruise, etc.)
- • Bundled party (organized by venue or party planner)
Tip: Regardless of the party you choose, make sure everyone is invited, and never forget to include plus ones!
Venue
- • At your office
- • At a home
- • At a local venue (restaurant, bar, ice rink, etc.)
Tip: Price, location, size, ease of access to work, amenities offered, and whatever you will need to supply should all be taken into account (furniture, staff, entertainment, equipment, cleanup service, etc.)
Transportation
- • Ride-share credit (Lyft, Uber, etc.)
- • Hire a bus
- • Have a sign-up sheet for a carpool
Food
- • Venue-provided food
- • Sit-down dinner with servers
- • Buffet
- • Floating appetizers (with wait staff or placed on a table?)
- • Potluck
Tip: Watch for allergies!
Drinks
- • Open bar
- • Drink tickets
- • Just beer and wine
- • Holiday-themed cocktails
Entertainment
- • High-energy beats for dancing
- • Low-key tunes
- • DJ
- • Live entertainment – Strolling Magicians, Fortune Tellers, Caricature Artists. A coworker’s awesome Spotify playlist
Extras
- • Photographer
- • Photo booth
- • Raffle
- • Time and space for “thank you” speeches
- • Holiday goody bags
FAQ’s
How do you make a holiday party fun?
Theme and Activities are two words. Theme parties make things much more interesting. A lot of people enjoy dressing up in themed clothing. Consider organizing some activities, like casino games, to spice things up and get people involved at the party.
There are a ton of self-hosted choices that you may utilize, but you can also find some wonderful options to use that organize enjoyable holiday-themed events for parties of all kinds.
What are some good holiday themes?
- Hawaiian Luau Christmas Party
- Casino Party Theme
- Scandinavian Christmas
- Christmas Masquerade
- Ugly Sweater Party
- Holidays Around the World Party
How do you throw a holiday party on a budget?
The holidays are a time of joy and cheer, but they may also be quite difficult on your credit card.
Your staff members should enjoy a DIY holiday party that is low on spending but high on holiday spirit, given that they are all enduring the increased winter expenses.
There are ways to reduce expenses, such as picking a less expensive location or having a holiday party at work. If you do it pot-luck style, food is another expense that may be lower.
