Help I’m in Charge of the Company Christmas Party!

Help I’m in Charge of the Company Christmas Party!

The holidays are getting close and management has decided to give you the stressful task of organizing this year’s corporate Christmas party.

You have never done this before and have no idea where to start! It must go right as a bad corporate Christmas party is never forgotten, and who will be to blame … you.

Lucky for you, corporate comedian Tom Crowl has come up with five tips to help you organize this year’s Christmas Event. If you follow these correctly, this will be a party that the company will never forget!

Company Christmas Party Tips

Tip One – You need to relax. The worst thing you could do is start stressing about the situation, because then things will most likely go wrong. Sit back and take a deep breath, then you can approach this with a clear head.

Tip Two – You need to speak to management about the budget. You don't want to go and book something that’s going to cost the company a fortune without their prior approval! After all, you don't want any of this coming out of your own pocket.

Tip Three – Get some help from your colleagues! You can discuss with them where the previous Christmas Parties have been held and get their opinions on each venue. What worked and what didn't? Which venue did they like best? Try not to pick the exact same venues, but maybe something similar is a good way to go. Also, try not to go for something too far away. You need to provide transport and the further afield you go, the more money it’s going to cost. Keep unnecessary expenditure to a minimum.

Tip Four – Entertainment is key. The worst thing you could do is spend all this time and effort organizing the evening, and then it all gets ruined by some boring entertainer that speaks the whole evening in Monotone! You could hire 2 different entertainment companies. One could be a Magician or a comedian and the other a local music band or DJ. As long as you pick companies with good reviews and mix it up a bit the evening will go off with a bang! If you are hiring a DJ, it may be worth asking your colleagues which type of music they like and then you can make sure that the DJ knows what you would like him to play. There is nothing more embarrassing than when a DJ plays all the latest RAP tunes for 40 – 60 year olds! You want to get everyone up to dance, so they genre of music played is very important!

Tip 5 – You need to order a caterer. It’s a lot less stress for you as all you will need to do is provide them with different food options and they will show up on the day at whichever time you tell them to. Easy! They can then also arrange an array of foods for different cultures.

I think that just about covers the 5 most important things you need to consider when organizing a Corporate Christmas Party.

If you are looking for a no-obligation event consultation, contact Tom at (410)596-4127 and he will be happy to help!

The Corporate Christmas Party: Top FAQ’s

The Corporate Christmas Party: Top FAQ’s

Are you looking to plan a Corporate Christmas Party this year but don’t know where to start? We understand that planning such an important event like this can cause a lot of stress. It has to go right. Employees never seem to forget a bad corporate holiday party. Here are the answers to some top FAQs to help make your corporate Christmas party go as planned, have a read below:

How to have a Christmas party and yet respect other beliefs so no one is alienated? It may be a good idea to call it a Holiday party or a Winter party rather than a Christmas party. That way it will encourage everyone to go. Also it may be wise to provide some activities or other forms of entertainment so that people with different beliefs don't feel pressured to drink alcohol.

Should I have it in the office or contract a venue? This will depend on your company's needs and budget.

In The Office:

The pros for having it in the office are that people may not feel as much pressure about dressing up. This means you may get more of a turn out. You can bring in lots of food and drink so it won't cost you too much. Plus you won't have to add on transport to and from the venue which can save you a great deal too!

The cons are that your employees may think it's a bit cheap. After all they have worked hard for the year and may feel as though they deserve a proper night out. Also, you will have to deal with all the tidying up the workspace at the end of the night. That creates a long night for the holiday party planning team.

For great tips on decorating the office for an office Christmas party, check out the Savvy Event Planner Podcast interview with my wife, Dierdre. She planned an in office party that amazed everyone. You can find the interview at: http://SavvyEventPodcast.com/episode1 An accompanying article includes pictures of the office transformation.

Using An Outside Venue:

The pros for contracting a venue are that it's a night away from the office to let your hair down.  People may feel more at ease socializing away from work. It's also a nice treat for your employees, showing them that you have really made an effort.

The cons are that the night is going to cost you a small fortune. By the time you pay for the venue hire, food, drinks and transport it will turn out to be an extremely expensive night. Also you may find that more people will drop out due to personal commitments where if you have it at the office, those people can always stay for just an hour after work.

Should alcohol be served? Again, it depends on your company's beliefs and image. You could provide “some” alcohol or if you are holding the corporate Christmas Party at a contracted venue maybe put some money behind the bar. This way once the alcohol or the money runs out, people will have to pay for their own which they may feel reluctant to do and therefore shouldn't get too drunk. At the same time you have shown that you are willing to supply some and aren't a complete bah humbug!

We have a tight budget, what are some options? Social hour with appetizers may fit the budget and make people feel appreciated. Another option would be a long lunch break with a meal and a few drinks.

Is corporate Christmas party entertainment needed? The right corporate entertainment can put your guests in a relaxed atmosphere and reduce workplace stress. It is a positive way to show employees they are valued. Entertainment is often the most memorable part of any event – so budgeting for a quality program provides a lasting impression. For smaller budgets, consider less expensive options, including employee talents or DJ's. Just be aware entertainment quality will impact your event.

Should we provide corporate gifts? Gifting during the holidays is a common practice. The gift could be a bonus, or the party itself. Talk with management as gifting may come from a different budget!

I hope these FAQs have helped you with your corporate Christmas party planning. For addition corporate christmas party entertainment ideas, or if you have any further questions, please contact Tom Crowl's office. He is happy to help you locate the perfect office party entertainment.