How To Plan An Office Christmas Party

It’s that time of year again - it’s getting colder by the day, and the sun has the audacity to set in the late afternoon. However, as the year draws to a close, the excitement begins to fill the air as everyone begins preparations for the festive season. For those in the working world, this means that it’s time to start planning a festive office Christmas party to thank your employees for all the hard work they’ve put in for the year.

Whether you work in a small or large business, planning this event can seem daunting. You’ve got to choose the right location, find a good caterer, select a theme and decide which team-building games you’re going to play. However, there’s no need to get yourself in a tizz over this. We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you plan a fun and unforgettable office Christmas party.

• Set your budget

Once you start planning, it can be easy to go wild and blow a huge amount of money. So, before you start planning, get an idea of how much you’re allowed to spend on this party.

Some offices allocate money to events such as this, whilst, for others, employees may need to chip in a little so that you can host the best Christmas party. Once you have a figure in mind, it’ll be easier to make decisions about location, catering, decor and other elements.

• Find some helping hands

Planning an event all on your own is far too stressful. So, to help make this planning process as seamless as possible, find some outgoing colleagues who are good at planning and ask them to help you out.

Not only will this allow you all to share the responsibilities, but when it comes to getting creative and thinking about holiday party ideas, you can all brainstorm together.

• Choose a location

Yes, many a Christmas party has been held in the office, but let’s be honest here - you spend most of your life there, so why wouldn’t you want to host the party at a new, exciting location?

Where you choose to have the party will likely be affected by your budget and the type of event you’re planning. For those looking to host a more elegant party, look no further than the gorgeous Nailcote Hall. During the festive season, this hotel turns into a festive winter wonderland. Not only will you have a stunning venue, but the staff will help take care of everything from catering to entertainment.

• Decide on a theme & dress code

Christmas parties allow you to get to know your colleagues outside of the office and are meant to be festive occasions. So, why not kick it up a notch and choose a theme and corresponding dress code.

You can either go for fun, lighthearted themes such as ‘Wear your ugliest Christmas sweat’ or ‘Santa’s helpers’ then you can even entice everyone to dress up with a “Best Dressed” award. Alternatively, you can choose a theme and simply opt for a semi-formal or casual dress code - it really is up to you and the atmosphere you want to create.

• Send out the invites

The festive season is as busy as it is fun. So to ensure that everyone from the office can join in the celebrations, be sure to get the date and time finalised so you can send out the invites as soon as possible.

• Food & Beverages

A party simply isn’t complete without delicious food and drinks. Now, in terms of food, you may choose to offer an array of yummy snacks or a sit-down meal. Again, this will likely depend on the venue and mood you’re wanting to create. Just be sure to check if anyone has any allergies or dietary requirements.

When it comes to drinks, you can include both everyday drinks such as juices and water as well as festive beverages such as eggnog or hot chocolate. If you’re allowed to serve alcohol at company events, then consider setting up a bar and make sure you have some bubbles for when the speeches are done.

• Play some games

It’s not often that you get to spend time with colleagues off the clock and in a more relaxed setting. An office Christmas party is a great place to get to know more people, but it also offers a great opportunity for team building.

Some lighthearted Christmas party ideas include holiday-themed charades, trivia, or even an ornament relay race. Whatever you choose, it’ll certainly keep everyone entertained.

• Make a playlist

Music can make or break a party. While traditional Christmas songs are always fun, they can get a bit old. So, be sure to have an alternative playlist at the ready.

And there you have it, a step-by-step guide to planning the best office Christmas party. Now all that’s left for you to do is get planning and have a jolly time!