Whether you’re planning a large office holiday party or a small company outing, take fun seriously. The further in advance that you plan, the more relaxed you will be and the more fun you’ll have with your team.
It can be stressful to plan an office holiday party when you are down to the wire, so we have tools to help you plan your holiday party early and keep you ahead of the game. Check out the tips below, plus enjoy bonus save the date holiday party templates and invitations you can customize for your own event!
Be sure to listen to our podcast episode on the dos and don’ts of holiday events and planning, funny memories, and how to plan holiday events for the upcoming season.
Tips for Planning Your Holiday Party
Put a Feeler Out
First things first, talk to your team about what they feel comfortable with in terms of location. Putting their health and well-being first is of the utmost importance. In-person events are a blast, but with many employees and teams working hybrid or remotely, an in-person event may not be the most viable option. Have no fear, virtual holiday parties are just as fun too!
Plan Fun and Festive Activities
A holiday party is always fun, but it’s even more fun when you have festive activities planned to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Consider a holiday charity event or a group volunteering activity to boost morale as a team. Other activities could include a holiday potluck, cookie decorating, or a murder mystery dinner.
Send a Holiday Party Save the Date
Mark your calendar! Let your team know that you’re planning an office holiday party. Surprise holiday activities are generally a bad idea since the end of the year is a busy time for everyone. A good way to give them a heads up is by sending save the date for the holiday party. Provide basic details about what you are planning, even if you can only pin down the date. Providing them with this information and a date early on will help ensure as many people as possible can make it. This also gives you time to make adjustments, if necessary.
Learn From Past Holiday Parties
Now that you have the date, start by reviewing past company holiday parties to see what worked and what didn’t. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:
- Who were the key decision-makers?
- Where was it held?
- When did you send the save the dates?
- What was the turnout?
- Did the timing work?
- Were than any issues around food? Alcohol?
- Did people like the celebratory activities? If not, why?
- Are there elements that you can improve or expand on?
Send Out Invitations
After settling on the more specific details such as the location, time, and activities involved, send out a company holiday party invitation. The invitation will get your team excited, remind them again of the celebration, and communicate all the details. We’ve even included holiday company party save the date and invitation templates that you can customize for your own event! On top of the physical invitation, make sure to send a holiday party email to employees to ensure they receive word of the festivities.
Download our editable Save the Date Holiday Party template.
Download our editable Office Holiday Party Invitation.
As always, TeamBonding is here to help with all of your party planner endeavors. Contact us and we can take care of it for you! From festive scavenger hunts to gingerbread house building, check out our holiday team building activities for a memorable experience with your team this yuletide season!
