The holiday season is a great time to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work throughout the year. One way to do this is by throwing a company holiday party. However, planning a successful party takes more than just booking a venue and ordering food. In this blog post, we’re going to give you some tips on how to plan an exceptional company holiday party that your employees will love. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right catering company to keeping your employees engaged. By the end of this post, you will have all the information you need to throw a holiday party that your employees will be talking about for years to come.

The Importance of Planning

Proper planning is an important part of any successful event. It can save you time, money, and help you achieve your event #goals more efficiently. Booking and communicating with your vendors with plenty of notice, for example, will allow you to stay organized and avoid surprises down the road. Additionally, planning ahead allows you to communicate your expectations and ensures that they will be met or exceeded.

Tips For A Successful Party

One of the most important aspects of hosting a party is planning. When planning your budget, make sure to account for all of the costs associated with hosting a party, such as food and drinks, decorations, and activities. Additionally, be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare. Many parties take several hours or even days to plan and execute properly.

The key to planning a successful party is delegation. Do not try to tackle everything all by yourself; instead, ask coworkers, friends and/or family members for help. This will save you time and energy, so you won’t be too burnt out to enjoy the party itself. Finally, consider inviting guests well in advance so that everyone knows what to expect. This also allows you to customize the party based on their interests or preferences. You can even make cute invitation cards to keep the date and details at the forefront of your attendees minds.

The location of your party is also an important consideration. Choose a convenient location that is accessible by car or public transportation. Consider factors like noise levels and parking availability. And last but not least - have fun! A well-executed party will ensure that everyone has a great time!

Choosing a Theme

Choosing a theme is a great place to start your event planning process. By specifying a theme first, you can ensure all of your decisions reflect it and the experience you hope to create for your team. Start by writing down ideas that sound interesting to you. If you need somewhere to start, this list of Fun Alternative Themes might help get the juices flowing. Will you go with the classic ugly sweater theme, keep it classy with a holiday masquerade ball, or recycle that Halloween costume you just bought with a Nightmare Before Christmas party?!

Choosing the Right Catering Company

While planning, it is important to first assess the needs of your event and choose a catering company that can best accommodate. These needs may include the type of food that will be served, the size of the meal, the number of guests that will attend, and the budget that you have available. Once you have determined these things, you can begin comparing services and menu options to find the best fit for your event. Consider choosing a catering company that offers a wide variety of menu offerings, like Spork Bytes! We work directly with over 50 local restaurants and can provide a diverse array of cuisines at varying budgets. Better yet, we will create a free customized proposal with several menu options, complete with detailed pricing information, so you can make the best selection for your event. With Spork Bytes, you will work one-on-one with a dedicated Account Manager who will assist in making arrangements to ensure that your needs are met and the event goes smoothly.

Keeping Your Employees Engaged

Keeping your team engaged can be a challenge during the holiday season. However, there are many ways to keep them involved and entertained. Company holiday parties provide an opportunity to catch up with coworkers, build team spirit, and network. Plus, parties can be a great way to show gratitude for your staff while getting everyone in the holiday spirit! By hosting an event for your team, you can create memories that will last long after the festivities have ended. 

A great way to keep your employees involved during the holiday party is by providing activities for your guests to partake in. Participating in activities is a great way to break the ice and create seamless opportunities for your attendees to connect and interact. For example, you can give them the opportunity to create something special for the home or the office. This can be anything from an ornament to a festive wreath. Of course, nothing bonds people more than coming together over delicious food. Consider setting up a seasonal cookie decoration station. There are so many activities you can choose from; the opportunities are endless. You could even have an online contest where participants submit their own ideas. Whatever you do, make sure that you put enough effort into making this season special for everyone involved!

Making the Most of Your Budget

When planning an event, it is important to keep in mind the budget that you have available. This doesn't mean that you have to skimp on the essentials - you just need to be realistic about what your company can and cannot afford. Once you have determined your budget, begin brainstorming ideas for making the event special without breaking the bank. There are plenty of affordable options out there, and with a little creativity, you can throw a party that’s truly unique and unforgettable!

One affordable option that can make a big impact on your event is making it easy for your guests to capture the night with photos and video. Consider booking a photo booth company like Happymatic or if you have a little more room in the budget, a professional photographer on site for a few hours may not be out of reach.

Don’t forget to leverage social media to capture the event and give your guests full control. With apps like Snapchat, you can create a custom filter that will only be available at your event during a specified window of time. And by creating a hashtag for your event and asking your team to use it in their posts and stories, you’ll create one place to relieve the magical night for years to come.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can easily plan a company holiday party that your employees will love. From choosing the right catering company to keeping your employees engaged, there are plenty of ways to make sure that everyone has a great time. So what are you waiting for? Start planning today! And if you still need help finding the perfect venue for your holiday party, check out our blog post for the best locations in Portland!