The holidays are fast approaching, and you're probably waist-deep in party-planning mode. Given that planning the office holiday party is just one of your many responsibilities, you may find yourself using the same plan year after year. With a new generation of employees entering the workplace and a continued focus among most companies to spend every dollar wisely, it never hurts to rethink your office holiday celebration plans.
Based on Seamless Corporate Accounts' Holidays in the Workplace survey, here are five easy ideas to make your company's holiday party a hit.
1. Get a new perspective on party planning.
If your holiday party hasn't deviated much over the past few years, and you've seen a few too many people come late and leave early, it's time for some fresh ideas. Try creating a party-planning committee with representatives from different areas of the company. Engage them to learn what's important to their teams, such as location, food, and entertainment.
2. Consider a new party destination: the office.
Looking for ways to cut costs but still have a great time and great food? Many companies are moving the holiday fun away from a restaurant or event space and back to the office. Without the room rental and pricey food, you can afford to bring back some lost perks. Perhaps include live entertainment, bring in some disco lighting, and extend an invite to significant others.
3. Introduce the contemporary potluck.
Along with the rise in holiday parties held in the office, the survey found that potlucks are gaining favor. Close to one-quarter (22 percent) of respondents report having a potluck for their holiday bash, up from 10 percent in 2012. Consider hosting a contemporary potluck—a catered main meal accompanied by employee-made appetizers and desserts to ensure there is something for everyone.
4. Take care of your millennials.
For many younger employees, this may be their first-ever company holiday party, and they may be unaware of standard party etiquette. Help them out in the weeks leading up to the party with a simple and fun dos and don'ts guide. If your party is hosted midweek, consider catering a post-party continental breakfast to keep productivity up the next day—it will serve as a nice incentive.
5. Keep the cheer going after the lights come on.
In the days following your holiday party, keep the good cheer going by sharing photos and engaging employees. Our survey found that nearly half (43 percent) of companies share party photos directly with employees, while others post photos to company websites, social media sites, and company newsletters. To get your employees more involved, create a hashtag for the party and encourage them to tag their own photos.
Don't be afraid to mix things up this holiday season by incorporating these tips into your 2014 office party planning. Click here to download the full how-to guide. To learn more about Seamless Corporate Accounts, email us at [email protected]
