Planning a corporate holiday party is a great way to celebrate your team’s hard work and accomplishments. Hosting an event that everyone will remember can boost team morale and start the new year on a high note. At The Guild in downtown Kansas City, we understand what it takes to make corporate events truly special. Here are five tips for hosting a holiday party that your team will talk about for years to come.
1. Go Big With Photos
Everyone loves photos, especially great photos of themselves. Consider hiring a professional photographer to walk around and capture candid photos from the event—Happy moments of the team socializing, connecting, and having fun. Bonus: Have a photobooth set up at the venue. People love the old-school, playful feel of this photobooths. Add in some company and theme-related props people can use in photos.Not only will your team appreciate looking back at the memories, but these photos can also be used for company newsletters or social media. If you’re in Kansas City, The Photo Bus and Luxe Photo Booth KC are often selected as a photo booth vendor.
Photo by iStock
2. Have a Wide Variety of Food
One of the highlights of any event is the food, and basically the only way to satisfy a diverse company is to try to have a little bit of everything to make sure everyone can find something they enjoy. Consider dietary preferences and restrictions like vegetarian, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly to make guests feel welcome, but definitely include some guilty pleasures—this is a party, not a fitness studio! Have a host of small bites, entrées, and sweet treats to satisfy the crew. If you’re hosting at The Guild, we have our go-to caterers and will be happy to offer some advice on what kind of food will surely please the crowd.
3. E-vites > Paper Invitations
While paper invitations have their charm, opting for e-vites is a modern, sustainable way to invite your team to the party. Digital invites are more convenient and allow you to easily track RSVPs and automatically send reminders. Paperless Post, Poply, and Evite are common choices which offer templates and tracking. Do you have a marketing team? Get them involved and have them make something fun and engaging!
4. Make the Date, Time, and Location Convenient for All Employees
Choosing a date, time and place that’s convenient for everyone is key to a successful holiday party. Consider hosting it in late November or early December so as not to interfere with personal holiday plans. Pro move is hosting the event close to your office or at a venue where transportation is easy. Thursday, Friday, or Saturday are usually the go-to days for holiday parties, usually starting between 5 pm-7 pm. We’d recommend shutting down at a reasonable hour to ensure there are no regrets or headaches the next day in office.
5. Plan Activities to Engage Your Team
A memorable corporate holiday party includes more than just food and drinks—it’s an opportunity to engage your team and celebrate their hard work. Consider organizing entertainment like group activity that brings everyone today — ideas could be an ugly sweater competition, ginger bread house content, or Christmas Karaoke. Be sure to take time during the party to recognize achievements and acknowledge the team’s successes over the year. Giving out small awards or shout-outs for individual contributions can make employees feel valued and motivated going into the new year.
Photo by Greenvelope
With these tips, you’ll be able to host a corporate holiday party that’s both enjoyable and meaningful for your team. If you’re in KC, reach out to us at The Guild. We’d love to make your company holiday party a meaningful success.