December – the holiday season – is a favorite time of the year and if companies only had one occasion to have a celebration, it would be during this joyous festive season. It is the best time to get all the staff together to celebrate the end of the calendar year and the start of a new one. This could include celebrating the company’s triumphs and challenges for the past year. It is also a good opportunity for everyone to just relax and have a good time. So how do you plan a corporate Christmas party? We have the answer right here.

Putting together a great party is not an easy feat; it requires a lot of time for planning and coordinating. Without proper planning, your party ends up not being as successful and as fun as you would like it to be. Here is a checklist of important things to consider if you wish to organize the best holiday party ever!

Type of Event

Corporate holiday parties can be held in an informal setting in the afternoon or it can be a more formal event in the evening. Before you start thinking about decorations and food, you should first decide just what type of event your Christmas party will be. Many companies choose to make their Christmas parties luncheons while others prefer evening gatherings. Generally, evening parties tend to be more costly. On the other hand, luncheons are usually scheduled on a weekday – a welcome break from work! – and they do tend to be more friendly to the budget.

Date of the Event

A majority of holiday parties are scheduled during the second or third week of December. Fridays, being the start of the weekend, is the most common day. It is important to select a date and time that is most convenient for everyone. The festive season is a very busy time of year so what you can do is choose some potential dates and then ask people in the office to vote on the best one through email or – if you’re more tech-savvy – via Doodle.

Venue and Caterer

As December is a time for all kinds of parties, needless to say, it is also the time when caterers are at their busiest so it’s important to find one early and book them for your event. The venue is another thing which you must not forget. There is a wide variety of party venues to choose from – hotels, convention centers, restaurants, and country clubs, just to name a few. Of course, it is best to choose a venue that is easily accessible for everyone.

Guest List

Companies normally invite all their employees to their holiday celebrations and most enjoy bringing their significant others with them.  It is surely appreciated when companies allow employees to bring their children to the Christmas party.  After all, the holiday season is a joyous time for families, including tiny tots.

Festive Decorations

A holiday party is incomplete without lively Christmas decorations and festive designs. You would want to dress up the event – and perhaps the office too – but remember not to go overboard with embellishments. Some of the most common festive decorations are Christmas trees, wreaths, and of course, those beautiful fairy lights.

Entertainment

Your in-party entertainment must be tailored to the event. For example, dancing is considered a must for holiday parties, and your options are to hire a DJ or get a band to sing live for the audience. You would want to coordinate the schedule between the DJ or band and the venue to ensure that all the equipment is set up and ready to use on time.

If there are kids at the party, a children’s entertainer is a must if you want to keep them engaged and happy. Why not hire a Christmas Holiday Elf? (If you ask nicely, maybe she can bring Santa with her too!) This cheery elf can entertain the kids with balloon twisting, a magic comedy show, and glitter tattoos. All of these activities are popular with the kids at parties and, with years of experience in her belt, we are sure to deliver!

Follow these tips on how to plan a company Christmas party and everyone will go home delighted after attending a corporate celebration they will never forget.