It’s that time of year again, Christmas is just around the corner and it’s time to get started with organising your corporate Christmas party. For employers, the annual office party is a great opportunity for you to show your staff how much you appreciate their efforts throughout the year. For the employees, it’s a chance to let your hair down, have a good time and interact with your colleagues in a more informal setting.
Throwing an unforgettable office party can be a daunting task. The key to success is organising a party that will cater to everyone’s tastes and that’s no easy task. Draft in some help, get your thinking cap on and start planning a memorable event that the entire team can enjoy.
Here are our tips for planning the perfect Corporate Christmas party this year.
Choose a Venue Early
Venues fill up fast at this time of year, so do your best to lock in dates as early as possible, especially if you have a particular venue in mind. The right venue can make or break your event. Do your best to find a centrally located venue to make it easy for everyone to attend. Ask if they have parking and enquire as to what food and drinks are available directly from the venue.
As soon as you have these details secured, let the team know so they can be there on the night. The more notice you can give people, the more people will attend the party and the better an event it will be.
Music and Entertainment
Once your venue is confirmed, the next thing to organise is your entertainment. Bands, DJ’s and party supply companies are very busy during the holidays so it’s best to organise your entertainment early. When choosing a band or DJ for your event, ask around locally and see if you can find some first-hand recommendations. Check their YouTube or Facebook page to get a feel for their style and sound.
Another fun way to keep the crowd entertained is with a festive Photo Booth. Let your workmates have fun dressing up in Christmas themed accessories and give them a memento to take home. To find the right photo booth in Sydney, choose a provider who has a glowing reputation and offers a simple no-fuss booking process.
If you also want to enjoy the music differently, you could try and rent silent disco headphones instead of just blasting your whole playlist through loudspeakers. That way, the party would be remembered as a new and fun experience.
Deck the Halls
There’s no better way to get people into the festive spirit than with some jazzy decorations. Pick a colour scheme and keep the theme consistent throughout the event from the invitations to the last dance. Blue and white is a great choice for a winter wonderland theme, while gold and black makes for a somewhat more sophisticated affair and of course, the classic red and green is always a hit.
Start with the table decorations, before moving onto the lighting and take it from there. Ask your venue if the room will already be decorated. If it is, incorporate your theme into what they already have in place. If not, let your imagination run wild!
Festive Food
The food you choose to serve is a crucial ingredient for any party and your corporate Christmas celebration is no different. Whether you’re having a full-blown dinner-dance event, a cocktail party with canapés or you’re going for a casual Christmas BBQ, delicious food and drinks are a must.
Incorporate a festive theme into your food with Christmas favourites like baked ham, mince pies, pigs in blankets, roasted hazelnuts and Christmas-inspired pies. Make sure you cater to any dietary requirement and find some veggie options so everyone’s happy.
Time to Party!
With all the preparation done and the plans made, it’s time to party! The corporate Christmas party is one of the standout events in every company calendar. Follow our tips; provide great entertainment, a festive environment and keep the food and drinks flowing and you’ll be guaranteed to throw an office party to remember.
