Planning Your Holiday Party
It’s the most wonderful time of the year……………………………Time for the office Christmas Party!
If you are the lucky person elected to organize your office party, you have a few choices to make:
Will the food be a potluck or catered?
Or will the party be held at a local restaurant? If so, is everyone paying their own bill or is the company picking it up?
What date will it be?
Will there be alcohol?
Think about it from the viewpoint of the employees. Is this just a social gathering or is it a reward for a job well done? It won’t seem like much of a reward if the employees are expected to bring something. The same can be said for a restaurant scenario where everyone is expected to pay their own bill. If it is a thank you from the company to the staff, the food needs to be provided by the company.
Time and location are important as well. Depending on the nature of your business, you may have employees working multiple shifts. Will you have one party for all shifts? If so, plan a day that everyone can come. Can you do it in between shifts – end one shift early and start another later? Is your business open on the weekends – could you do it on a Saturday? Would your staff even come if it was held on a non-workday? Will you have it at the office?
If you do decide to have it at your office and you want the employees to be able to kick back and relax, you can save some money by providing the paper goods and beverages yourself instead of including them in the catering order. Pick up some sturdy paper plates and bowls – it can really spoil the mood for someone who gets food dumped on them from flimsy dinnerware. Some festive red drink cups will help to set the mood as well. Add napkins and strong plastic cutlery too. For beverages – coffee, tea, hot cocoa or soft drinks. A Keurig machine is perfect for an office party - everyone can have the type of beverage that they like. If you don't already have a Keurig, give us a call and we can demo one for you. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it. (Think carefully before serving alcohol if the party is at the office.)
Don't forget the tablecloths. Now just add the food and some music (no, not my singing……) and you’re all set! Have a great party!
