1. VENUES: Big Spaces for Big Parties
These new large venues are ideal spots for big corporate holiday parties: LQ, a modern-looking Midtown nightclub, can hold 1,200 for receptions inside its 15,000-square-feet space. It offers two VIP sections and three bars. Avalon, a 20,000-square-foot retro-looking club in the former Limelight space, can hold 1,750 for cocktails. It offers nine separate rooms, each with its own look. New Age-y Spirit in Chelsea, scheduled to open in late November, will offer 38,000 square feet in three rooms: Mind offers tarot readings and chakra balancing, Soul is an organic food restaurant and Body is a 15,000-square-foot dance floor and performance space. And Crobar, slated to open in early December, will be an Art Deco space in Chelsea with 31,000 square feet, three VIP areas and space for 2,500. âJim Shi
2. FOOD: Eat a House
For a mouth-watering centerpiece this holiday season, try Red Envelope's gingerbread house. The freshly baked house is frosted and decked with an assortment of sweets, including candy canes, holiday candy corn, gingerbread men, and other sweet holiday treats. To top it all off, the house can be personalized with a company logo or special message. Cost is $55, including personalizing. âJ.S.
3. ENTERTAINMENT: End on a High Note
Entertain everyone with a year-in-review musical revue. The Tribute Company poses a singer on stage as an executive to congratulate the guests on the yearâs successes. As a holiday tune interrupts the speaker, the waiters get in on the act and all the performers commemorate the companyâs year in song. âMeryl Rothstein
4. DECOR: A Festive Tablecloth
Why use a plain tablecloth? Rental company Indigo Moon's festive and eye-catching creations include a silk leaf appliquĂŠ design on a moirĂŠ ground. Theyâre available for rent, or can be purchased for $125 for 102-inch rounds or $180 for 126-inch rounds. âJ.S.
5. CATERING: Make Them Feel Like Family
Get employees talkingâeven if itâs just to say âpass the pastaââby serving a family-style meal at a company holiday party. Thomas Preti Caterers suggests using long, banquet-style tables and serving large dishes of holiday fare like risotto with mussels and lobster fra diavolo. Prices start at $150 per person. âSuzanne Ito
6. DECOR: Picture-Perfect Employees
How to make employees feel involved in the party? Event producer Jes Gordon suggests putting their pictures in acrylic photo cubes of varying sizes and shapes and pairing them with dozens of twinkling votive candles. The photo cubesâavailable at Sam Flax for $11 to $15âcan double as gifts. âJ.S.
7. DĂCOR: Stop and Smell the Evergreens
Getting everyone into the holiday mood can be as simple as a bringing in the right flower arrangements. Plaza Flowers' holiday bouquets start with beds of dark green evergreens such as blue spruce and adds pine cones, scarlet red amaryllis blooms and roses. âAmanda Trimble
This story is from the Winter 2003 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
These new large venues are ideal spots for big corporate holiday parties: LQ, a modern-looking Midtown nightclub, can hold 1,200 for receptions inside its 15,000-square-feet space. It offers two VIP sections and three bars. Avalon, a 20,000-square-foot retro-looking club in the former Limelight space, can hold 1,750 for cocktails. It offers nine separate rooms, each with its own look. New Age-y Spirit in Chelsea, scheduled to open in late November, will offer 38,000 square feet in three rooms: Mind offers tarot readings and chakra balancing, Soul is an organic food restaurant and Body is a 15,000-square-foot dance floor and performance space. And Crobar, slated to open in early December, will be an Art Deco space in Chelsea with 31,000 square feet, three VIP areas and space for 2,500. âJim Shi
2. FOOD: Eat a House
For a mouth-watering centerpiece this holiday season, try Red Envelope's gingerbread house. The freshly baked house is frosted and decked with an assortment of sweets, including candy canes, holiday candy corn, gingerbread men, and other sweet holiday treats. To top it all off, the house can be personalized with a company logo or special message. Cost is $55, including personalizing. âJ.S.
3. ENTERTAINMENT: End on a High Note
Entertain everyone with a year-in-review musical revue. The Tribute Company poses a singer on stage as an executive to congratulate the guests on the yearâs successes. As a holiday tune interrupts the speaker, the waiters get in on the act and all the performers commemorate the companyâs year in song. âMeryl Rothstein
4. DECOR: A Festive Tablecloth
Why use a plain tablecloth? Rental company Indigo Moon's festive and eye-catching creations include a silk leaf appliquĂŠ design on a moirĂŠ ground. Theyâre available for rent, or can be purchased for $125 for 102-inch rounds or $180 for 126-inch rounds. âJ.S.
5. CATERING: Make Them Feel Like Family
Get employees talkingâeven if itâs just to say âpass the pastaââby serving a family-style meal at a company holiday party. Thomas Preti Caterers suggests using long, banquet-style tables and serving large dishes of holiday fare like risotto with mussels and lobster fra diavolo. Prices start at $150 per person. âSuzanne Ito
6. DECOR: Picture-Perfect Employees
How to make employees feel involved in the party? Event producer Jes Gordon suggests putting their pictures in acrylic photo cubes of varying sizes and shapes and pairing them with dozens of twinkling votive candles. The photo cubesâavailable at Sam Flax for $11 to $15âcan double as gifts. âJ.S.
7. DĂCOR: Stop and Smell the Evergreens
Getting everyone into the holiday mood can be as simple as a bringing in the right flower arrangements. Plaza Flowers' holiday bouquets start with beds of dark green evergreens such as blue spruce and adds pine cones, scarlet red amaryllis blooms and roses. âAmanda Trimble
This story is from the Winter 2003 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
Avalon, in the former Limelight space, offers 20,000 square feet spread among nine rooms, and can hold 1,750 for cocktails.
Red Envelope's gingerbread house can be customized with a company logo and serve as a great centerpiece.
Jes Gordon suggests putting pictures of employees inside acrylic picture cubes and pairing them with votive candle towers.
Plaza Flowers' holiday arrangements include blue spruce, pine cones, scarlet red amaryllis blooms and roses.
