Andy Williams said it best, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues. When planning your company's holiday gathering, give attendees something interesting the moment they walk in, be that décor that wows or an atmosphere that excites them. Plus, with elements like this, your holiday party will be social media-worthy, thus increasing its reach. Here are 11 tips to keep in mind to ensure your holiday party hits the mark.
DECK THE HALLS
Twinkling lights, ornaments, gingerbread houses, poinsettias, and greenery will add cheer. Work with the venue on lighting as gobo projections can go a long way to provide theatrical elements and make a big impression in the overall event space.
O CHRISTMAS TREE SCENT
Often an overlooked aspect, adding scents to your event can really get people in the holiday spirit. Imagine walking into a space and catching a whiff of evergreen or peppermint. Some event planners work with aromatherapists to create unique fragrances for the events they orchestrate.
NO SILENT NIGHT
Holiday music played in the background during your gathering will help everyone get in the spirit of the season. You must choose the right playlist and monitor the volume. Music should be loud enough to enjoy yet low enough to carry a conversation.
PLAN FOR A SLEIGH RIDE (OR OTHER TRANSPORTATION)
Will you be providing transportation, or is everyone on their own? It may be a nice gesture to give your attendees an Uber code to get to and from the party on the company. This is particularly important to consider if you will be serving alcohol and public transit options are limited in your area, as the last thing you want is to be held liable for overserving a patron that led to a DUI incident.
ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND NETWORKING ALONG THE WAY
If one of the goals of the gathering is to get everyone chatting, a social event with stations will probably be ideal, as formal sit-down dinners often lead to less interaction.
Consider having a host or master of ceremonies. This should be someone who works at the company who is likable and a good speaker. A speech or two is a good idea but be sure to keep them brief. A holiday party can also be a great time to celebrate employee accomplishments from the past year. Do this early in the evening so team members can congratulate each other, a great way to spur conversation.
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For more information on how Convene can support your upcoming holiday parties and a little early holiday cheer in the form of an exclusive promotion, click here.
We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
