Here’s how to make your next office party a little bit more fun and a lot less stressful!
We all know that parties are expensive and stressful. They’re also a good way to meet new people and make connections. I’ve created this guide to help you avoid a lot of common pitfalls and make your next office party successful and enjoyable!
1. Figure out how to fund it first. Most office parties cost more than $100. This means your boss might think you’re being reckless. Unless you have unlimited funds to spend on a party every month, plan ahead to make sure you have the cash ready.
2. Choose a venue that won’t break the bank. Don’t go for a fancy restaurant. Find a cheap place with a good location near where most people live. This is a great way to save money!
3. Take advantage of special deals and sales. Look for coupons on online sites like Groupon and Facebook Deals. Also check your local paper and find discounts for nearby stores.
4. Plan on buying alcohol. Try to buy wine, beer, or something stronger. Many places offer alcohol specials that are much cheaper than buying it in large amounts at a grocery store. Don’t forget about private clubs and restaurants. A lot of these charge lower prices to businesses.
5. Have some food ready. Don’t plan on making a feast. Think of appetizers, a few main dishes, and dessert. Most restaurants can handle this and still give you good food for a reasonable price.
6. Think about who will be there. If your boss wants you to bring coworkers, don’t put them in a bind by forcing them to pick a table. Be clear and explain that they need to bring someone who they want to sit with.
7. Bring extras. You’ll need a variety of items to ensure the party goes well. Make sure you have chairs and tables, plates, cups, napkins, forks, knives, and plastic ware. If the party will last longer than a few hours, plan for extra food and drinks.
8. Make sure you have a back-up plan. What if the computer breaks? What if the internet doesn’t work? You never know what might happen. If you have a back-up plan, you won’t feel so stressed and frustrated if anything unexpected happens.
9. Don’t be afraid to plan for bad weather. If it’s going to be cold, think of decorations that won’t get damaged in the wind. Or try to find a nice spot in the building that will be safe from rain.
10. Get the staff involved. Make sure you tell your coworkers that they need to plan for their shift. You should be able to get them to help out with things like food and drinks without paying them for it. It’ll save you money and ensure everyone has a good time.
If you have any tips for planning and executing an office party, leave them in the comments! I’d love to hear them.
Hopefully they’ll give you some ideas to add some zest to your next company event.
- Location, Location, Location! You’ve heard the phrase and it applies to more than just Real Estate. What’s more fun than an office party at the office? An office party somewhere OTHER THAN the office! Some companies have the budget to rent out an event venue. Others set up an employee “field trip” or employee day at a set location. (Office Top Golf Trip!) Either way, leaving the office instantly adds an elevated level of excitement. I even played a company holiday party recently that was held at the owner’s house! There’s so many options of ways to take your party off site. Try it for an instant event up-level.
- Theme It Up! Another fun way to add an extra level of fun to your office party is to choose a theme. (Ugly Sweater Party, Great Gatsby Party, Company Luau Party, Ho Ho Ho Down, etc) While this sounds a little silly, asking people to dress in a way that they wouldn’t usually while attending the event adds an additional level of excitement and fun. A theme can be a fun way to increase participation, increase morale, and just generally jazz things up.
- Want To Play A Game? A trend I’ve seen a lot this year includes game play to bring employees together in a way that exceeds the standard office party gossip. For holiday parties, some companies do this in the form of a white elephant gift exchange. A friend’s company did a Karaoke competition (with prizes for the winners), I’ve seen dance competitions, employee cook-off competitions, lip synch battles, scavenger hunts, and more. The great thing about company party games is that there is really no limit to what you can come up with and get people to do.
- Add Live Music! Add a cherry on top with an event DJ or live band! While someone hooking up their Spotify account to a blue tooth speaker gets the job done, nothing adds up level like your party having it’s own band or DJ. A professional that’s dedicated to the music allows the staff to all be present to enjoy the party and your company to get a customized performance tailored specifically for your event. I’ve played company parties with live musicians (violinist, percussionist, etc) as well as company parties where I was the main event. In all of these cases, having live music to help direct the flow of energy and set the vibe turned the average office party into a PARTY!
Use these tips together or choose one or two to help spice things up. And, of course, all tips can be modified to adjust to any sized budget.