The office Christmas party is a staple of corporate culture. Whether you’re a small, family-owned business, a nonprofit organization, or a large corporation with multiple locations, celebrating at the end of the year is a great way to show your employees they’re appreciated. There are other benefits to an end-of-year celebration as well. Gathering everyone together for socializing can help:
- Improve morale
- Inspire team-building
- Help people get to know each other better, which improves work relationships
- Celebrate big milestones or goals
Creating the Guest List
When it comes to planning a holiday celebration, there are many factors to consider, and one of those is who to include in the invitation. There are some businesses that prefer the Christmas parties to be for employees only, while others make it a family affair. At Legacy Stables and Events, we’ve helped clients plan and host both types of events to great success.
The employee-only party gives you the opportunity to focus solely on your employees. It also provides space for associates to get to know each other outside of the work environment. The employee-only party can also be more budget-friendly, as you don’t have to provide for all the partners and kids, or it can leave more spending per person on your employees.
The family party has its benefits as well. Your associates might feel it’s a bonus to be able to bring their partner and kids to a party for a fun time, with good food and entertainment. It also provides an opportunity for partners to get to know some of the people their spouse is working with and put a face to the names they hear about in work stories.
Family Fun for Everyone
Having a corporate party for the entire family can be fun around the holidays. Hosting a Santa Claus for kids to tell their Christmas wishes to can be a fun photo op for parents. Kids also love gift bags and music, and dancing. Their energy out on the dance floor can be a great icebreaker for the adults, and soon everyone is having a great time.
Consider having some kid-friendly food and drinks, such as a cookie-decorating station and hot chocolate. The entrees can be fun as well, with sliders and fruit trays that appeal to people of all ages.
Getting the Benefits of Employees Only
If you’d prefer to plan an employee-only holiday party, consider scheduling something in the afternoon. This allows you to have fun, socialize, and celebrate with each other and still be home for dinner. During the busy season, your employees might appreciate the fact that they’re schedule isn’t taken up with another night of commitments. Include a dirty Santa gift exchange or cookie sharing station to encourage people to get out of “work mode” and socialize and have some fun.
Lunch celebrations are another great way to have a holiday party for employees and keep the evening free. Providing a nice meal and then giving everyone the option of the afternoon off is like a Christmas present in and of itself.
It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas! At Legacy Stables and Events, we’ve helped companies in and around the Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad region plan holiday celebrations of all types. From elaborate formal gatherings to a casual lunch buffet, we can help you choose the right type of party for your organization and be with you from the planning to the execution. Call today to find out more about our turnkey party planning services and get your event on our calendar.
