8 Ways to Make Your Company Holiday Party Enjoyable for All

 

For many, the holiday season means festivities that include a company party. Office parties are intended to be opportunities to allow employees to socialize and get to know each other. Unfortunately, some workers dread the awkwardness that is sometimes associated with holiday celebrations at the office. The following suggestions will help employers make holiday parties positively memorable and fun for everyone.

1. Plan Activities

 

People who are introverted are more likely to feel uncomfortable if they are expected to strike up conversations with people they may not see regularly in the workplace. Planning activities will take the pressure off by providing a conversation starter and preventing awkward silence.

 

2. Ask Employees’ Opinions When Planning

 

One of the best ways to get employees to look forward to an event is to ask the employees what they would like to eat, drink, and do. When employees know they can look forward to something they will enjoy, they are more likely to attend the event and anticipate future events.

 

3. Have the Party Offsite

 

Getting outside of the four walls of the workplace can effectively help people let loose and have fun. Some creative venues for company parties include restaurants, amusement centers, elaborate event spaces, escape rooms, and dinner theaters.

 

4. Ask Food Preferences

 

Be sure everyone will feel included by asking about dietary preferences and restrictions. Serving food for all diets will show consideration to employees and better enable them to appreciate the social aspects of enjoying food with a group.

 

5. Have the Party Catered

 

Potluck-style parties may save money, but having the food catered will remove one more task from employees’ to-do lists and allow them to simply show up to the party and enjoy the spread. Moreover, catering reduces the potential for food contamination and allows everyone to feel more at ease.

 

6. Distribute Gifts

 

Most people like to receive gifts during the holidays. Putting together a small gift for employees can foster warm and cheerful feelings that will leave employees with positive memories about the company party.

 

7. Hire a DJ

 

No one wants to stand around a snack table in silence. Music sets the tone at any social event. Hiring a DJ will ensure the company party includes a selection of dance hits or festive music to facilitate a festive ambiance. In addition to enlisting the help of a DJ, companies may also ask their employees to submit song requests.

 

8. Hire a Professional Party Planner

 

Sometimes party planning is best left to the professionals. Hiring a professional party planner ensures a company holiday party will have a more polished appearance. Moreover, leaving the planning to a professional means no one will have additional party-planning duties piled on top of their everyday work duties.

 

Planning a company holiday party doesn’t have to be stressful. When employers leverage their strengths and leave the rest to the professionals, the event is likely to have more hits than misses. Furthermore, asking employees exactly what they want is the best way to ensure everyone will look forward to the company holiday festivities.