Finding the Right Venue for Your Office Holiday Party

The holidays are right around the corner and your company needs to celebrate. It’s likely been a long year for you and your team, so make this year’s office holiday party the best yet. The idea of putting together an office holiday party might bore some of your employees to death, but, with a little planning and the right venue, you can turn this once-a-year event into an occasion your employees will never forget. Upping your holiday office party game will improve morale, employee retention, and the overall company culture. Use these tips to plan the ultimate holiday get-together for your team.

Go Off-site 

Your employees spend roughly 261 days a year at the office, and no one wants to go to work on their day off. Hosting your event off-site makes the party more interesting. It gives your employees a chance to dress up and let loose, instead of feeling like there’s just a new vibe superimposed over their regular work environment. Depending on the success of last year’s event, consider choosing a new venue to help spice things up. Clean up will also be a breeze, so you don’t have to deal with the mess in the morning.

Spend some time researching different venues in the area and keep these tips in mind along the way.

Be Flexible with Your Dates

Yes, the holidays are rapidly approaching, but your holiday party doesn’t have to. If you need more time to plan your event, consider pushing back the dates. Some of your employees may celebrate the holidays differently, and time doesn’t exactly seem to be plentiful around this time of year. Your employees probably have more than enough items on their to-do list as it is.

Remember that this party should be about celebrating all the hard work of your team, so be sure to work around their schedules, if necessary. Pushing the party back until January may help take some of the pressure off. Your employees may also be in a better mood without having to fret about shopping and travel.

Choose a Nearby Location

Consider how far your employees will have to travel to attend the event. If they don’t’ have a car or have small children, making the commute might not be feasible. Depending on their lifestyle, it may be better to choose a venue near public transportation. Staying nearby also helps cut down the cost of taking a car home, especially if some of your employees have too much to drink and shouldn’t be driving. You don’t need to open the topic for discussion or start an office debate but keep the needs and wants of your employees in mind when choosing a location.

Consider Spending the Night

If you’re really looking to impress your guests, and you want to spend some quality time together as a team, you can always rent a few rooms at a local lodge or resort. If you have a large team or you’re on a tight budget, this probably isn’t for you, but it’s sure to get your employees excited. You won’t have to worry about your guests having to drive home and you can toss in a team-building session. You’ll probably have to push it back until January or February, which gives your company a chance to start off the new year on the right foot.

Entertain with Amenities

If you and your employees aren’t exactly party animals or, let’s face it, you just don’t feel like socializing with each other, you can always let the venue do the entertaining on your behalf. You can treat your team to a range of amenities to reward them for their work, such as a delicious meal at an upscale restaurant, a night out at the bar, gorgeous views, or a day at the spa or salon. Try to find a venue with an eclectic range of perks and features to keep your party guests entertained. Show your employees how much you care with a dashing night out.

 

Nothing will disappoint your employees like a boring holiday party. Keep these tips in mind to celebrate your team and remind them why they love working for you and your company.