2016 Holiday Handbook: 9 Ideas for a Blow-Out Bash

From an elegant seated soiree to a rowdy sports outing, groups have plenty of options for showing their holiday spirit.

Michele Laufik
October 6, 2016

Employees, clients, and guests can end the year in style with these elaborate big-budget event ideas—from bowling and ping-pong match-ups to over-the-top theme parties.

 

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As part of Stella Artois’ 2015 holiday campaign, the beer brand created a public activation at Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York. Guests entered a dark, empty room lit by a canopy of interactive “stars.”
As part of Stella Artois’ 2015 holiday campaign, the beer brand created a public activation at Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York. Guests entered a dark, empty room lit by a canopy of interactive “stars.”
Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Stella Artois
At Herbalife's 2015 holiday party, held at the company’s Torrance, California, offices, Zen Arts provided stilt walkers dressed in elaborate animal costumes to entertain the crowd.
At Herbalife's 2015 holiday party, held at the company’s Torrance, California, offices, Zen Arts provided stilt walkers dressed in elaborate animal costumes to entertain the crowd.
Photo: Sean Twomey
For the corporate holiday party at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, event design and production company Sterling Engagements created an outdoor winter wonderland with string lights and snowflake projections.
For the corporate holiday party at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, event design and production company Sterling Engagements created an outdoor winter wonderland with string lights and snowflake projections.
Photo: Maya Myers
Shawna Yamamoto Event Design filled large metallic bowls with snow-dusted branches, gold-foiled greenery, and white orchids for the corporate holiday party last year at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.
Shawna Yamamoto Event Design filled large metallic bowls with snow-dusted branches, gold-foiled greenery, and white orchids for the corporate holiday party last year at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.
Photo: Maya Myers
For a family-friendly holiday party at a private home in Los Angeles in December 2015, Seed Floral set up a wreath-making station and make-your-own snow globe and ornament stations.
For a family-friendly holiday party at a private home in Los Angeles in December 2015, Seed Floral set up a wreath-making station and make-your-own snow globe and ornament stations.
Photo: Courtesy of Seed Floral
Bowlmor Lanes provides party packages that include up to two and a half hours of bowling, along with customizable food options like pizza cupcakes and beverage menus. Plus, Bowlmor just launched a new online platform for booking its locations across the United States.
Bowlmor Lanes provides party packages that include up to two and a half hours of bowling, along with customizable food options like pizza cupcakes and beverage menus. Plus, Bowlmor just launched a new online platform for booking its locations across the United States.
Photo: Ty Milford
Last year, Groupon hosted a “007”-theme holiday party at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Event Creative decked the venue with James Bond-inspired decor. One of the evening’s interactive activities, or “missions,” was to snap a photo in front of a step-and-repeat featuring a spy plane.
Last year, Groupon hosted a “007”-theme holiday party at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Event Creative decked the venue with James Bond-inspired decor. One of the evening’s interactive activities, or “missions,” was to snap a photo in front of a step-and-repeat featuring a spy plane.
Photo: Marcin Cymmer
Minted’s new holiday collection features midnight-blue tabletop accessories—including place cards, $41 for 15, and menus, $54 for 15—with a gold accent pattern that works well for a New Year’s Eve event.
Minted’s new holiday collection features midnight-blue tabletop accessories—including place cards, $41 for 15, and menus, $54 for 15—with a gold accent pattern that works well for a New Year’s Eve event.
Photo: Courtesy of Minted
Spin, a network of ping-pong social clubs, offers three daytime holiday packages, each of which includes two hours of ping-pong, passed bites, and beverages. Spin currently operates clubs in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Spin, a network of ping-pong social clubs, offers three daytime holiday packages, each of which includes two hours of ping-pong, passed bites, and beverages. Spin currently operates clubs in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Photo: Noah Fecks
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