Have you ever seen the (increasingly popular) memes of the guy standing with a cardboard sign? Here’s our version for when this time of year rolls around: We’re cutting right...
Have you ever seen the (increasingly popular) memes of the guy standing with a cardboard sign? Here’s our version for when this time of year rolls around:
We’re cutting right to the chase here because we’ve heard WAY too many companies shy away from throwing a holiday party or celebration for their team because “it just seems like too much”.
Too expensive.
Too time-consuming.
Too (*gasp*) pointless.
After having the great joy and honor of helping MANY companies (we’re talking hundreds) create impactful holiday experiences with their team, the fact stands: holiday parties are one of the most IMPORTANT things you can do. And none of the listed objections (or any others you might be cookin’ up in that brilliant brain of yours) are undefeatable.
The bottom line: Holiday parties come in ALL shapes and sizes, and can be flawlessly executed no matter what your budget, team, or availability look like.
Alas, we know you’re busier than busy, and that oftentimes November rolls around in a FLASH, leaving the idea of throwing a holiday celebration for your team as merely an afterthought.
That’s why today we’re sharing 7 steps to create your very own company holiday party, no matter what your timeline or budget looks like. It’s like a holiday party in a box blog, if you will!
But before we dive in, let’s freshen up on just a FEW reasons holiday parties really matter, because again, we get it – #doubt.
HISTORY and EXPERIENCE show that holiday parties are worth the (time and monetary) investment because…
Read more about why planning company holiday parties matters so much HERE.
Okay – back to business 🫡
5 QUICK STEPS TO CREATE A HOLIDAY PARTY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
1. Pick a place & budget.
Determining a place and budget for your holiday party might seem like a no-brainer, but the truth is that many people end up not creating a celebration because they think it HAS to be an elaborate event at an in-person venue. And don’t get us wrong – that’s a great option, and meeting in person will always carry tremendous value. But here in 2024, the options for place & budget are abounding.
For example, we love helping clients who have remote workforces create VIRTUAL holiday parties. Imagine a fun, holiday-esque backdrop and full-on celebration vibes streaming through Zoom (or the platform of your choice). Not only is a virtual holiday party a great option for teams who are not in one central location, but it’s also a fraction of the cost compared to renting a venue.
Allocate a budget first, then decide if you’ll opt for an in-person or virtual gathering.
2. Decide what you’re doing. (theme, ROS, etc).
Once your budget and location are decided, it’s time to plan what your holiday party will actually be like.
Do you want to have a theme like ugly sweater, winder wonderland, etc?
Will you provide any sort of food/drink? (PS: there are great options for this both virtually and in-person).
Once the theme & bigger details are set, you can create your very own RUN OF SHOW (i.e. event game plan) so you’ll enter into the experience with full confidence of what’s happening minute-by-minute! HERE’S a helpful resource that shares more about the importance of a run of show at events of any size.
3. Clarify the vision.
It’s important to remember (and continue refreshing upon) WHY you’re doing this in the first place. Be sure to communicate with your internal planning team as well as your expected attendees.
If you’re scratching your head here wondering um, but what IS the point other than sprinkling some fun into our day?
It’s valuable to share with your team that you’re creating this experience because you believe in them. You value their contribution to the company over the past year. You want to share what’s next (always a great idea to have someone from leadership share a few words during the event). Etc, etc – you get the jist, right?
4. Throw in some surprises.
Whether your holiday party is intended to carry a more serious/vision-focused tone OR it’s all fun and games, incorporating a few surprises along the way is always a solid bet.
Here are a few ideas:
There are a plethora of options here, but the goal is to add a special touch (or moment of laughter) into the experience.
5. Communicate the plan.
Last but not least, it’s time to send those invites, baby! We guarantee that when your invitation hits your team’s inboxes or mailboxes, it’ll brighten their day (whether you know it or not).
Research from the Society of Human Resource Management indicates that 71% of employees feel holiday parties boost team morale and provide a chance for co-workers to connect more personally.
Things to consider when communicating the plan:
At the end of the day, holiday parties are a remarkable chance to say THANK YOU to the team that has matter of factly kept your business in business over the past year.
We’ve spent over a decade helping teams create FUN and ENGAGING holiday parties that take into account their brand identity, core values, and so much more.
So while this blog is intended to guide you through the process and make planning a company holiday party more straightforward and achievable than ever before, we’d REALLY love to join forces with you and take the load off your plate!
Here’s what we can help with for your holiday party:
If you’re ready to take action on pulling off a holiday party but don’t want to deal with the stress of planning it – CLICK HERE TO DROP US A LINE!
Our availability for the 24/25 holiday season is filling up, but we still have spots open and we think one of them might have YOUR team’s name on it.
Happy Holidays!
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