It’s nearly office Christmas party season, and when it comes to throwing the best office function, there are a number of different factors you’ll need to keep in mind. Hosting a great office party can help bring your team together, boost office morale, and, most importantly, celebrate your employees’ hard work throughout the year.
Whilst it can feel overwhelming to host and throw a successful office Christmas party, forward planning can help take a lot of the stress out. This is everything you need to keep in mind when it comes to throwing an office party, whether it’s for Christmas or for any other occasion.
Know Your Budget
This is one of the most important (if not the most important) part of planning any sort of event, especially one for your office. Knowing your exact budget before starting out will give you a clear understanding of the kinds of activities, venues and equipment you can afford for your event. Knowing exactly how much you have to spend can help you take the initial stress out of the planning process so that you can spend more time planning the event and less time worrying about your funds.
Timing Is Everything
When it comes to hosting any office event, choosing the right date and time is vital. You’ll want to choose a date that works well for the majority of your employees and try to avoid hectic periods where your staff may have other commitments. You’ll also want to ensure that you don’t set the starting time as too late so that your employees can ensure they have a good time without having to worry about their plans for the next day.
It may be best to host the event before the weekend or before a holiday period so that your employees can have a good time without having to worry about work the following day.
Choose Your Venue
The right venue can make all the difference to your office party. You want to ensure you’re choosing a location that is well connected to public transport links so that your employees can get to and from the party with ease without having to drive. Alternatively, if you have staff that may prefer driving to the venue, try to find a space that has adequate parking. You’ll also want to ensure your venue is accessible for all your employees and that it’s big enough to accommodate your staff and any plus ones you may be hosting too.
Get The Latest Technology
Having a technologically savvy office party can make all the difference in 2024. If you’re not offering an open bar but are offering your employees a budget for alcohol, investing in contactless payment solutions for your staff can make a world of difference.
You may want to invest in payment cards or wearables that can be pre-loaded with the budget for your employees that they can then spend on the night. This makes it far easier than manually logging your employee’s drinks or having them keep track of the exact amount they’ve spent throughout the night. Contactless payment solutions for your employees make it easy for your staff to pay for their drinks through the night without you having to do any of the admin work.
Remember Dietary Requirements
No one wants to attend a party where they can’t enjoy any of the food, so taking note of any dietary requirements and accommodating them is key to hosting a great event. Make sure you get your employee’s allergies or special requests with ample time before the party so that you can work with your caterer to create a great selection of food that absolutely everyone can enjoy.
Get Planning!
Forward planning is the key to a great party, and it also helps to take the stress out of hosting. Plan your evening in its entirety from start to finish to ensure you have a great night that your employees are guaranteed to remember.
From the food and the venue to the contactless payment options and everything in between, meticulous planning is the perfect way to ensure your office party goes exactly the way you’ve been hoping for.
