How and When to Throw an Office Party

Throwing an office party is often a tricky task. Staff members may feel a sense of obligation to attend, but there are steps that you can take to ensure the event goes smoothly and is incredibly enjoyable from start to finish. That can translate into great success for the company, largely because gatherings that take place after hours without the constraints of sticking to rules and wearing embroidered business professional clothing encourage quality bonding time. That can translate into improved workplace productivity and results-oriented teamwork. So what’s the best way to plan an office party like a pro? Here’s what you should know.

Time It Properly

It’s customary to throw office parties during the holiday season, and it may be a tradition in your workplace to do that in the middle of December or right before Christmas. If things tend to get busy at this time of year because people are scrambling to meet year-end goals and are generally stressing about personal holiday obligations, you might want to consider scheduling it at a different time. For example, you could host a festive gathering after the New Year, or earlier in December than you might normally schedule. People will be less swamped with the general holiday madness and professional obligations during those periods. Keep the day of the week in mind, too. No matter what the reason for the party—whether it’s the holiday season or not—mid-week events are generally not a good idea, as people may be exhausted and not quite in full work mode the next day.

Select a Location

Where you host your party is just as important as when it takes place. Strive for convenience; a location that is generally in the vicinity of the office is practical since it means that most people will be able to attend without trouble. Research restaurants, banquet halls, and hotels; all of them provide sizable facilities, and all you’ll need to do is have a general headcount to ensure that there’s enough room for everyone on your list. If you do choose to hold the party at the actual office, try to select a space that is spacious enough for everyone—and that won’t serve as a constant reminder of work.

Choose Your Menu

Great food and drinks are the hallmarks of any successful party. You might consider hiring a professional catering company to handle this for you—it will take considerable weight off your shoulders, and you can then focus on other important tasks, like choosing entertainment and a theme. The advantage of hiring a restaurant industry professional is that they won’t skimp on the details. They can arrange for everything from setup to serving to cleanup. Moreover, they add to the ambiance, especially if you’re hosting a more formal office party. It inspires confidence and a sense of elegance to see professionals in work uniforms available to assist throughout the event.

Focus on Fun

Not everyone may mingle outside of the workplace. It’s up to you to create a few icebreakers and add some levity to the mix so that everyone can let loose and relax. There’s a dramatic difference between being around everyone during the day when they’re dressed in their usual workwear and dancing and socializing when they’re wearing something stylish and party-worthy. Hiring a musician is always smart—music fills awkward silences and is likely to get people moving and requesting songs they love. But you can also think outside the box. During the holidays, for example, you can set up a hot cocoa bar with all the fixings, or a s’mores station where people can put together their own. Because they draw people together, features like these help spark conversations.

Consider Professional Needs

Sometimes, work parties are held to achieve a certain goal. For example, you may want to boost team morale or encourage the group in the wake of a less than stellar sales period. Whatever your purpose, it’s important to factor those into the festivities, too. Make sure that you have appropriate audio and visual equipment to reach everyone effectively if you need to make announcements. Or you may be awarding your staff for a job well done. In that instance, be sure to have several appropriate gifts for employees on hand. These gifts can be as small as a custom company mug or custom logo work totes. It’s well worth hosting social events from time to time to keep everyone happy and to show them that their hard work, teamwork, and consistent efforts are always appreciated.