In many companies, the corporate Christmas party still feels more like a mandatory event, even though it could be one of the best evenings of the year by strengthening employee engagement. On the cost side, it also represents a significant expense, which makes it even more important how well it turns out and what considerations guide you throughout the planning process.
Start early
Don’t miss out on the best venues and dates. The popular, trendy locations get booked quickly. If you start too late, you’ll be left with the “we didn’t like it last year either” restaurant or a Monday-night party where no one stays past 9 PM.
Keep in mind that despite the Christmas occasion, your employees want to party at the year-end event. A trendy, lively venue will give you much more than a formal, protocol-style ballroom. Consider the location, onsite features, layout, atmosphere, style, and of course your colleagues’ preferences.
The year-end event is not the place to discuss the challenges of the past year or your goals and expectations for the next one. The whole year is about work your employees have every right to expect the evening to be different. A light-hearted line saying that the dry corporate topics and charts will be saved for another time will earn you plenty of grateful looks.
There is a place for the annual review and presenting next year’s plans an early-year kick-off event is the perfect occasion for that, where colleagues arrive rested and are much more likely to pay attention. The Christmas party should focus on your community, togetherness, unwinding, and celebrating as a team.
Forget the traditional plated Christmas dinner everyone will be eating that over and over again during the holidays anyway. A more relaxed buffet-style dinner with a modern, diverse selection works much better. Let the dining and seating be flexible and informal.
You also don’t need to overthink the drinks. If the budget doesn’t allow for a long drink or spirits package, go with an unlimited beer-and-wine option, possibly complemented with a couple of long-drink coupons.
Instead of long stage performances, interactive activities and games work far better. Especially when there’s motivation involved in the form of gifts or prizes.
You can make the Christmas party even more appealing by not only providing a great venue, but also taking care of the way home for example with taxi vouchers or an arranged taxi service.
Author: Kinga
