Help, I Have to Plan the Holiday Party
- Meagan Corey
- Host Like a Pro
So, you've been chosen to plan the company holiday party.
Congratulations?
Maybe you volunteered, or maybe you're the office's unofficial "fun person." Either way, you said yes before realizing that meant finding a venue, feeding 75 people, figuring out whether anyone actually wants to do Secret Santa and somehow making sure Gwen from Accounting has a gluten-free option.
We've got your back.
Here Are the 5 Things You Need to Plan Your Company's Holiday Party.
1. Start With the Big Four (Budget, Headcount, Date & Venue)
Stop saving holiday party ideas on Pinterest. Yes, it's fun. No, it's not the most important thing to do right now.
You need to lock down four things:
BUDGET: Know what you have to spend, and whether that budget needs to cover food, drinks, venue, decor and gratuity (yes, don't forget to tip...don't be a Grinch). To save on cost, you can always ask the venue if they'll allow you and your colleagues to bring dessert or appetizers, pot-luck style. Bonus points if you make it a cookoff. Everyone wants to be known as the office chef.
HEADCOUNT: Get a rough number first, then send an RSVP with a firm deadline. A calendar invite works just fine. Find out whether employees can bring guests. If you're giving out prizes during the holiday activities, also establish whether the employee guests are able to receive the prizes as well. (Trust me, it's worth establishing this rule ahead of time.)
DATE: December calendars fill up fast. If you're last-minute planning, don't panic. A Thursday happy hour, Friday afternoon event or even a January kickoff party can work beautifully.
VENUE: Are you transforming the office? If so, get the elf committee together and put them to work. If you're renting a private room, you guessed it, get the elves (and their stuff) together and put them to work.
Once the Big Four is locked in, take a deep breath.
You're officially an Event Planner!
2. Pick a Holiday Party Theme
Take a look at your company culture.
Not every company party needs a ballroom, or a DJ, or a photo booth. If you have a smaller company, a laid-back happy hour might be the way to go.
Fun Corporate Holiday Party Ideas:
Casino Night
Oscars (employee awards/superlatives)
Polaroid Photo Station
Live Caricature Artist
Open Bar (2 drink tickets per person. Thank the Sales team for that rule.)
Ugly Sweater Contest
Holiday Speakeasy
Notice how "Tropical Theme" isn't on the fun list. This wasn't an accident.
3. Figure Out the Food Early
We may be slightly biased on this one.
Still, food can make or break an event. Think of the last wedding you went to that wasn't good. Why was it so bad? I'm willing to bet it was because either the food or the music wasn't good. (Or there wasn't an open bar. Thanks, Sales team.)
The best corporate party food does more than feed people. It gives people a place to gather and start organic conversations:
If guests will be standing, mingling and moving around, think portable. Think grazable.
If the event falls over lunch or dinner, make sure there are enough substantial options to eat before or after the meal.
If employees will be coming and going, choose food that doesn't require everyone to sit down and eat it hot.
A Graze Craze® Holiday Board, grazing table, Sandwich Trays or even Char-Cutie-Cups are great for corporate holiday parties. Charcuterie doubles as food and part of the event setup! Guests can gather around it, build their own perfect plates and go back whenever they're ready for round two.
Not to mention, the average price per head with Graze Craze is $8-$12.
4. Give Them Something to Do
We know there's a fine line between "This is fun" and "HR says we're doing a scavenger hunt."
The key is to plan a few low-pressure holiday party activities that encourage conversation. No, absolutely no, corporate bingo.
Holiday movie trivia, a photo booth, awards or superlatives, a prize wheel and a gift exchange are all great ideas. Make the activities available without making the event revolve around them.
5. Your Company Holiday Party Checklist
Okay, we promised a checklist.
The week of the party, be sure to run through everything one more time.
Company Holiday Party Planning Checklist:
Final Headcount
Venue Confirmed
Food Ordered (dietary restrictions collected)
Drinks & Ice
Plates, Napkins, Cups & Utensils
Tables / Seating
Decorations
Music or Slaylist (total typo, going to leave it; it feels festive)
Activities
Employee Gifts or Awards
Parking
Setup / Cleanup Crew
Don't reinvent the office holiday party. Your coworkers aren't expecting ice sculptures of the company logo.
They want to celebrate the end of the year. They want to spend time together without it feeling like a Teams or Google meeting.
Make the event easy to attend, and easy to enjoy.
We'll help with the snacks.
Corporate Holiday Party Food?
Graze Craze makes holiday entertaining easier. Our fresh, handcrafted charcuterie boards, grazing tables, charcuterie cups, sandwich trays and other options are designed for groups big and small.
Our local Grazologists™ can help you choose options based on your guest count, event style and dietary needs. If you're planning an office happy hour for 15 or a year-end event for hundreds, we have the options for you.
Find your nearest Graze Craze location and start planning your company holiday party.
Corporate Holiday Party Planning FAQs
How do you plan a company holiday party?
Start with the Big Four: budget, headcount, date, and securing your venue. From there, plan food and drinks, and decided whether you'd like entertainment or activities. Don't forget to communicate parking, dietary restrictions, and setup/cleanup crew!
What food is good for an office holiday party?
Go for foods that are easy to share and eat while socializing. Charcuterie boards, grazing tables, charcuterie cups and sandwich trays can accommodate different event formats, while giving guests a variety of options.
How much food should I order for a corporate holiday party?
Food depends on your guest count, event length, time of day and whether the food is intended to be an appetizer. Your local Graze Craze team can help recommend quantities and formats based on the details of your event.
What are some good company holiday party ideas?
Some of the best company holiday parties include fun themes like Holiday Speakeasy, Casino Night, and the Oscars. For activities, a photo booth or polaroid station, grazing table, employee awards, and ugly sweater contest are widely appreciated, without being overdone. The make-or-break for many events is simply the food. If you strive to have good food (like Graze Craze) and good music, your holiday party should be a hit.