How to Organise the Office Christmas Party

Have you been assigned the task of organising the perfect office Christmas party? Don’t panic! By the end of this short article, you’ll have a clearer understanding on how to create a great event that your guests will remember for years to come. An office Christmas party can often be expensive, with research suggesting that the festivities could cost British businesses £66 million every year. However, you could save money by planning ahead…

1. Start early

It’s ever too early to start organising the Christmas party, and the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to create an event that your employees or colleagues will love. Remember – venues can book up quickly, so plan ahead to get the best prices. Once you’ve been given a date for the party, you’ll want to find out how many people are planning to attend the event. Send out a mass email and find out how many people are going to show up.

2. Save money

You’ve probably been assigned a budget for your office Christmas party, and it’s important you stick to it. When approaching venues and booking entertainment, ask for a full and final quote before you commit to anything; if your colleagues need to chip in, make sure you book something that everyone can afford. You’ll likely get a discount on a venue if you have a large number of people attending too, so shop around. Another tip: choose a venue that is centrally located, so all your guests can get there.

3. Organising food and drink

Decide on what type of food and drink you want to serve your guests. Ask yourself the following questions: do you want guests to pay for their own alcohol or is your company willing to foot the bill? What about food? Would guests prefer a buffet or a sit-down meal? Do any of your colleagues or employees have any dietary restrictions? Finding out the answers to these questions will make it easier when it comes to party planning!

4. Organising entertainment

Office parties can sometimes be awkward – especially if your guests haven’t communicated with each other outside of the office environment. A live band or entertainer can help to break the ice and will ensure that your guests have a good night. If you’re booking a DJ, you will want to make sure that they cater to all age groups with their choice of music. You might even want to hand out special awards to employees throughout the evening, or encourage guests to make speeches. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have a planned timetable of events so that the evening runs smoothly.

5. Decorating the venue

Some venues will provide decorations as part of the cost, but if not, you’ll have to purchase these yourself. If you’re on a budget, you won’t want to go overboard, but something like a Christmas tree or table decorations can really add to the festive atmosphere. If you want to add a special, unique touch to the event, decorate walls with photos of employees from throughout the year. A ‘photo wall’ can be a great icebreaker and initiate conversation.

– – –

Reference for statistic:

http://www.aviva.co.uk/media-centre/story/1315/the-true-cost-of-the-office-christmas-party/