It’s nearly that time of year again…for the Office Christmas party.
With these events being one of the most important in the working calendar, there are many things to consider when planning and attending them. With Covid meaning many of these have been virtual for the past few years, it’s easy to forget the Office Christmas party etiquette. But not to worry, we have compiled a list of the top tips to ensure a successful party.
Start Planning Early
You’ll be surprised by how many hours and how much organisation goes into planning the office Christmas party so we would suggest starting to plan as early as possible to allow yourself plenty of time to to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in producing a successful Christmas party. If you also have specific dates which need to be stuck do it is best to book the venue as early as possible to secure your preferred dates as many are booked out many months in advance.
Listen To The Teams Suggestions
Taking note of the overall consensus around the Christmas party planning is important. Asking around or giving a few options, even a survey, will help gage an idea of what the team would be most interested in. With that being said, not everyone will agree, but having an overall view of what people would most likely turn up to means a more successful event
Decide on a Budget
Knowing how much budget you have to spend or want to spend is a crucial part of Christmas party planning as this will determine your options when it comes to choosing which venue to hire, what type of food and drink you can have and also what type of entertainment, theme and decor you can hire or purchase. So before you start running wild planning to transform Buckingham Palace into a glowing Winter Wonderland, pin a budget down and try to stick to it during the planning process. Also allow for some contingency within your budget.
Give Everyone Enough Notice
To make sure all the office is able to attend the Christmas party (despite being somewhat obligatory to keep in the bosses good books) give plenty of notice. People like the time to plan ahead, as well as this the more the merrier with these sorts of events. So ensuring all employees have at least a month’s notice and anticipation is building for the event is crucial.
Choose a Theme
Deciding on a theme can be a really fun activity as you are allowed to be creative and innovative. It can also help with the rest of the planning process as it can help determine your food and drink menu options, decor and entertainment. It;s also important to listen to your team’s feedback here and pick something that everyone is going to enjoy.
Find a Venue
After you’ve set your budget, picked some dates and chosen your theme, it is now time to choose a venue which holds the capacity required for your Christmas party.. All of these factors will help determine the best venue suitable for your party needs. As we have suggested before it is best to start looking at venues early on as many get booked up months in advance. Depending on your office size, shared Christmas parties could also be an option
Consider Food and Drink Options
Another thing to consider is everyone’s food and drink preferences, which is something to be mindful of. Creating a list of dietary requirements and allergies is crucial to ensuring the evening runs smoothly. Depending on your budget you can have a buffet where everyone helps themselves or a 3-course meal, but as long as you’re aware of everyone’s needs that’s all that matters.
Find Entertainment
Considering team building and immersive entertainment for your office Christmas do can be a great way to get colleagues to mingle and socialise who might not know each other that wll and also adds fun to the party If these aren;t an option it;s well worth considering some form of entertainment from a band, a DJ, a compere for the evening or even combining your office Christmas party into an Awards evening for your team. There are many options to consider and your chosen theme could also assist with what type of entertainment you choose.
Have Fun!
Finally, make sure you have fun! You and your team have no doubt been working very hard for the whole year so now is the perfect opportunity to all bond and enjoy yourselves.
Ask For Feedback
When the event has finished it’s always helpful to get staff feedback on what went well and what could be improved. Giving your staff a survey to write their feedback on, or gathering verbal opinions will prove helpful when planning next year’s party.
Party Season is definitely Glo at Victoria Warehouse! With limited dates available, find out more about hosting your Christmas party at our industrial warehouse venue:
https://victoriawarehouse.com/blog/october-2021-at-victoria-warehouse/
