Tips for Planning the Perfect Holiday Work Party

Holiday parties have changed a lot over the years, with companies choosing to offer informal gatherings during the holidays, formal invites for employees and partners, laid-back family barbecues, team appreciation outings, or an optional happy hour at the end of a workday. Regardless of your company’s format, timing, and details, it’s important to plan a party everyone will enjoy.

Here are a few tips from the holiday work parties we’ve hosted:

·       Send out a clear invitation to all in the company so people know what to expect and how to dress. Include a contact for questions and ensure your internal communications align to share the date, time, and details with excitement and cohesion.

·       Ask for feedback and ideas. Factor in employee feedback, planning, and engagement. Offer surveys leading up to the holiday party to learn what team members want and expect. Try to incorporate this feedback as you plan. If the holidays are a busy season for your industry, consider it in your planning.

·       Incorporate fun, memorable experiences. Add a photo booth, an award ceremony for silly trophies, and nominations for best dressed or most likely to succeed. Have fun with the planning and choose a wintery theme if it adds to the ambiance. At The Venues, we have a trolley to transport guests from nearby hotels and we find it adds charm, a picture-worthy experience, and convenience for all guests.

·       Begin planning in the summer for festive season. Don’t wait to book a space for your work party. Once you decide the event’s date, time, and style, contact your preferred venue. At The Venues at Langtree, we have a coordinator who can give you a tour, recommend hotels, and connect you with local resources. The Charlotte and Lake Norman regions of North Carolina have so much to offer!

·       Offer a welcome gift. If you’re planning a destination work party, leave a welcome gift basket in employees’ hotel rooms, or greet them with a small gift on the first day of the gathering. Note if they are bringing a partner and show generosity to all involved.

·       Honor all traditions and faiths. Not everyone celebrates Christmas or Hannukah. Consider how to celebrate the season without a faith-centric event. Inclusivity is vital for successful work parties, and while faith and tradition are fundamental to well-being and spirituality, it is a personal decision. Focus on celebrating the group, building shared memories, and appreciating professional wins.

In closing, don’t be afraid to get creative with the date and time for your holiday work party. Will your event be a team bonding experience, a let-lose gathering, or a winter wonderland family-friendly party? You have so many choices when planning the perfect holiday party. Some executives find that the holidays are not the best time of year for an employee gathering because so much is going on for busy teams, including vacations and opt for a party in mid-January in the New Year or an appreciation event in the early fall or spring season instead. Happy planning!