12 company Christmas party ideas and tips: how to do it

In this article, we will go through the art of planning a Christmas party to remember. It might be early in the year, but December is not far away, and you need to get an early start on getting things sorted so there is less stress later. 

1. Getting your budget ready

You will need to have a good grasp on the financial resources available to you for this event. Timing is important here because during this time of year, there are some high season campaigns such as Black Friday or back-to-school specials happening, so budgets could be stretched. Plan accordingly! There could be unexpected costs that arise when booking entertainment, food or drinks.

2. Who all is coming?

Figure out who this party is for. Brainstorm your guest list early. Is it an employees-only affair, or are your business partners getting the invite as well? If your budget renders you conservative for the attendees, consider having it at the office! Depending on your office space, it can limit how many people can come, but that would make it much more intimate and personal for the guests. Also, it’s important to think about external guests. Will the event be kid friendly? How about plus-ones? What is the dress attire? The more precise you can get with these details, the better.

3. Finding a venue

This is arguably one of the most stressful parts of the process. If your office doesn’t allow for too many people, you will need to find a place that can accommodate more guests. Consider the location, ease of getting there, public transportation options and other things of the sort. It’s best to find and reserve a place as early as possible because any venue worth hosting an event is almost sure to be booked weeks, even months in advance of the Christmas holiday season. Some popular options are restaurants, inns, Christmas markets, rented spaces or hotel conference rooms.

4. Timing is everything

There is no perfect time schedule that won’t conflict with anyone’s holiday plans, after all, it is the holidays. Our tip? Schedule the entire event for the beginning or middle of December, that’s when most people are still free. The closer to Christmas you plan something, the harder it is for people to commit to attending. 

Finding the right place at the right time can also prove to be quite difficult, as there will be a rush for other companies to find venues in and around your location. However, there is a way to offset this. If you host an event such as a Christmas party earlier in the week, say Thursday or Wednesday, your venue options increase as there is much more availability given weekends are more commonly booked. This is also good because not everyone will stay out too late as there will likely be a following workday. 

5. Remember food, drinks and trinkets are important

Getting food on the table is another key element of a successful corporate party. Either way, you could let everyone choose from a pre-set la carte menu if you’re at a restaurant, organise a buffet where guests can choose their own plates or hire a catering company and let them organise everything. Regardless of what you choose, make sure the service and the food itself is high quality. The dishes on the table as well as the drinks can make or break a party - and you’re only doing one of these events per year.

6. Have fun with the party, make a theme out of it

The main goal of a party is having fun and bonding with colleagues. As the year comes to a close, the holidays and vacations are on people’s minds. So why not have a party with a theme? Put a smile on their faces with a ‘Gatsby-style party’ or a ‘Santa at the Tropics’ get-together. What’s more, you can include themed games for extra entertainment and fun.

Ugly sweater party

It’s the only time of the year people dig deep into their closets to find that one ugly sweater that is never worn. This is definitely a fun and relaxed party to have with a very simple premise - find the ugliest sweater you own and wear it! No judgments can be made here because everyone is in the same fashion boat. Provide some drinks, finger foods, and maybe some music while the team mingles and bonds over their ugly sweaters

Gift exchange

One of the main purposes of Christmas is gift-giving. Secret Santa is a fantastic way to promote that idea in a very fun and exciting way. The most common way to do secret santa is to randomly draw the name of a coworker and then find a gift that suits them. A fun challenge here is to not only know your coworker, but limit the spend of the gift. A general rule of thumb is to limit the gift spending to no more than £20. This will force some creativity to find or even make a meaningful gift - and everyone will end up with something unique!

Holiday potluck

While Christmas is a major end-of-the-year holiday, it is not celebrated the same way around the world. While it is globally one of the most popular and celebrated, companies need to recognise that other traditions exist. Now is the time to really flex your inclusivity and togetherness by hosting a potluck. A potluck provides the perfect chance for employees to make and bring in their favourite dish of the holiday season to share with the rest of the team.

It is really fun to do this because you can see what other cultures like to eat during Christmas time and it can really be quite eye opening. Make sure each team member brings in something, no matter how big or small, that is easy and fun to eat or snack on. Host it family style or have a more formal potluck style dinner in the office. Let your creativity run wild here!

10. Unique gift ideas for the occasion

Have you ever heard of a Christmas without presents? Of course not! So corporate Christmas gifts are a must. You can go green and choose from our eco friendly section or one of our luxury corporate gifts. We also have affordable options and many many Christmas-themed promotional products that will make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. 

11. Other things to consider

There’s a few other things you need to consider. If there’s anything we’ve learned the past few years, it is that remote events can be just as fun. More and more company events are taking place online; whether it’s quizzes, casual Fridays or corporate parties such as this one.

Here are some factors that might be important. Is everyone able to take part in physical activities? Does anyone have special dietary needs that you need to take into account? Do you need accommodation for guests coming from afar? How late will the festivities last? With all of these bases covered, your guests will be sure to have a good time.

That about sums it up, if you have the answers to all these questions, then you’re up for an unforgettable corporate Christmas party. Get to work now!