{"id":2541,"date":"2014-11-27T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2014-11-27T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/?p=2541"},"modified":"2014-11-27T08:00:57","modified_gmt":"2014-11-27T13:00:57","slug":"throw-awesome-office-holiday-party-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/throw-awesome-office-holiday-party-ideas","title":{"rendered":"How to Throw an Awesome Office Holiday Party"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the weather gets colder, the prospect of the holidays keeps our spirits up! With any holiday comes a celebration, especially near Christmas when people gets time off. Before parting for family time, it can be nice to boost workplace morale with an office party! Here are some tips for throwing a great holiday celebration for your office to close the year on a positive note! <\/p>\n

<\/span>Why have an office holiday party?<\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen holiday specials on TV where someone attends a terrible office party and everything goes wrong. Work parties are often depicted as uncomfortable and stuffy. Some offices don\u2019t throw Christmas parties, or if they do, they don\u2019t break the \u2018bad office party\u2019 stereotype. If you are a business owner, don\u2019t let the stereotype discourage festivities. There are many reasons to celebrate together as an office before the end of the year!<\/p>\n

Bonding <\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n

\"company<\/p>\n

Particularly for large businesses, your colleagues might not have much opportunity to speak with one another. Even if they work together regularly, they might not know anything about each other outside business relations. It\u2019s important to keep workplace relationships professional, but it\u2019s also great for office morale to let people bond in a social setting, rather than a business context. You see these people every day at work, so you shouldn\u2019t be total strangers!<\/p>\n

Recognizing achievements <\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n

Holiday parties are a great opportunity to acknowledge goals that were reached throughout the year. Letting people know that their efforts are appreciated can be motivational!<\/p>\n

Setting the tone for the New Year<\/b><\/H3> <\/p>\n

A cheerful office party at the end of the year sets the tone of the office for the New Year ahead! Sending people off on a festive note before they enjoy time off lets them feel more positive about returning to work. A good attitude will have everyone prepared to face the coming year!<\/p>\n

<\/span>Make your party stand out!<\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n

There are many ways to avoid the \u2018bad office party\u2019 stereotype. By combining classic holiday elements with creative thinking, you can throw an event that makes your colleagues look forward to office parties! <\/p>\n

Consider a theme<\/b><\/H3> <\/p>\n

Themes can be a good way to transition from a business atmosphere to a social one. You don\u2019t have to go overboard and make everyone dress like reindeer; if the theme is too silly, people won\u2019t want to participate. Consider a fun but simple classic, like an \u2018ugly Christmas sweater\u2019 party. Themes aren\u2019t always necessary, so use your judgment and consider the people you work with. If you\u2019d rather keep the dress code classier, the fact that the event is a \u2018Christmas party\u2019 might be theme enough! <\/p>\n

Food<\/b><\/H3><\/p>\n

Always offer food at your event! After all, what\u2019s a holiday party without festive food? Make it clear whether the food will be an actual meal, or simply appetizers and treats. If your business is small, you might consider a potluck, but for larger groups, catering can be best. Offer a variety of things, and consider unique options that your employees might not often get. Is there a gourmet bakery in the area that makes festive bite-sized cupcakes, or a local restaurant that only serves a popular appetizer this time of year? <\/p>\n

\"Food<\/p>\n

Party favors and prizes<\/b><\/H3> <\/p>\n

If you choose a theme, prizes for the most festively dressed person can be fun motivation to participate. Prizes can also be turned into a game. If your office is small, award prizes for playful reasons that will make people laugh. For example, give the person who sneaks their slippers on under their desk the prize for \u2018best shoes\u2019. You don\u2019t want to offend anyone or turn it into a popularity contest; it\u2019s all for fun! If prizes are too complicated, try party favors! Give everyone a bag of Christmas cookies at their place setting or a useful trinket for their desk. Party favors are small, particularly if your office is also giving Christmas presents or bonuses, so concentrate on creativity. <\/p>\n

Activities<\/b><\/H3><\/p>\n

Sometimes a simple social gathering is best for very large work parties. If the budget allows, hiring entertainment, like a band or DJ, can be fun for a big group. For smaller parties, consider centering the event on an activity. If your colleagues are outdoors-y maybe they\u2019ll enjoy an afternoon hayride followed by dinner and warm drinks? Maybe bowling or a comedy show would be a fun, simple outing?<\/p>\n

Decorations<\/b><\/H3> <\/p>\n

Along with the activity and dress code, decorations set the atmosphere. For a big classy party, winter wonderland decorations with lots of sparkle give things a fancy feeling. At a more casual event, novelty Christmas plates and classic holiday characters make people feel comfortable and ready for the holidays.<\/p>\n

Get creative with your ideas!<\/b> If you\u2019re having trouble, form an event committee or ask colleagues for their input. You don\u2019t want something elaborate enough to stress people out near the holidays, but thinking outside the box can make your party a fun success!<\/p>\n

<\/span>Should your office party involve alcohol?<\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n

\"Planning<\/p>\n

Enjoying a glass of wine or an alcoholic beverage is often a part of celebrating. Your office party can still be an appropriate affair with alcohol present. After all, you\u2019re dealing with adults who worked hard all year! Making alcoholic drinks an option for your colleagues sets a casual tone and communicates that you are there for enjoyment and not business.<\/p>\n

Of course, drinking is never mandatory and no one should ever feel pressured to partake. You can decrease the risk of over-consumption by setting the tone yourself as the business owner or party organizer. Enjoy one or two beverages casually with your food, and then stop. Setting the pace like this, particularly if you\u2019re in a leadership position, encourages other people consuming alcohol to follow suit. Make sure that you offer alternatives for those who can\u2019t or don\u2019t drink. Give people basic options, like water or pop, and also consider something more fun and festive, like eggnog!<\/p>\n

<\/span>Things to avoid<\/b><\/H2><\/p>\n