How to Throw an Awesome Holiday Office Party

It’s dark, late at night.  You are lying in your bed, fretting over the details for the company holiday party, when an eerie voice comes drifting through your hallway.  Suddenly a translucent figure appears at the end of your bed!  It’s the Ghost of Holiday Parties Past, and he is here to remind you of that one party you tried to block out – where no one danced, all conversations consisted of meaningless small talk, and your white elephant gift exchange turned into an all-out brawl for the new iPad.

But fear not, for the Ghost of Holiday Parties Yet to Come is here to help.

The secret to a good holiday party is in the details.

Sure, we would all love to attend an extravaganza only a one J. Gatsby could throw, but money doesn’t grow on trees (yet).  Choosing a great venue is important, but not one that is going to break the bank! Find a location that offers potential, maybe in an up-and-coming area, or one with a great view.

The next important factor is entertainment.  You can’t expect people to entertain themselves, and the LAST thing you want is that one co-worker using this as an opportunity to try out his stand-up routine (you aren’t funny Steve). There are several options you can employ here.  Hiring a DJ to provide the tunes and a dance floor for people to bust out their moves is always entertaining. There’s always the karaoke route, which some might say is a little cliché, but always provides the laughs.  Try looking in your local area for small time magicians who can perform for a large group or take turns walking around the venue to different tables. And one that’s always a hit – hire a local artist to draw caricatures for everyone. It’s a fun memento for the guests to take away.  A quick google search turned up lots of results for local magicians and artists.

Of course we can’t forget that it is the holiday season, so gift giving is a must.  Raffling off a few items like gift cards or pre-made baskets are simple, yet fun.  Who doesn’t like to win free stuff?

And finally, the ambience – it’s important.  Create an atmosphere that people feel comfortable enough to mingle, and to open up.  While it is important to note that an office holiday party is still a work function, it doesn’t need to feel like work. Getting some decorations and those candles with fake bulbs (fire and parties don’t mix) can really go a long way when setting the mood.  Name cards are sometimes useful so that introducing yourself doesn’t become awkward, and you can never forget your boss’ wife’s name (it’s Donna for the last time!).

So cease your anxiety, and relax.  Creating an awesome holiday party is much easier than you thought! Oh, wait… that ghost is still lingering at the end of your bed? Yeah, not sure what that’s about… you’re on your own for this one.