6 Company Holiday Party Themes
We are almost to Halloween and starting to hear about the holidays. Even retailers are making room on the shelves for the huge shopping season.
Which is why you might be here now because it sparked the “OMG I have to plan the company holiday party!!!” These events don’t have to be large or intricate (unless you like that), you just need to provide a nice time so the employees can enjoy themselves.
Below are 6 themes you can use for any size party and some have a charitable piece to spread the cheer.
1. Christmas Market Theme. (Great for a large group)
I had the wonderful treat of spending time in Paris this past January and got to visit the Christmas Market on the grounds of the Tuileries (aka the gardens in front of the Louvre).
There were carnival games and rides, amazing food, mulled wine and shopping for beautiful and unique crafts. I’m not saying to build it out exactly, as you may not have the space nor want to hold an event in freezing temperatures. Below is what I think would look AND be fantastic:
Create several stands/chalets for food of regional sausages, sauerkraut, crepes, variety of cheeses, seasonal baked goods and the all-too-classic roasted chestnuts. BUT make the food what you want.
Mulled wine and cider will definitely be a hit
Simple carnival games that will give employees points/tickets to redeem for prizes
Ornament, stocking or hat making stations
Live music on a main stage
Tons of stringed white lights overhead and between all of the stands/chalets
Feeling charitable? Add a Toys for Tots bin at the entrance so guests can bring cheer to a child that may not have presents this year.
2. 12 Tastes of the Holidays. (Great for a small group)
If your staff is big into the Food Network, why not make food the central point of the event.
Famous Chef Jose Andres has served a 22-course meal paired with beverages at one of his restaurant Bazaar, let’s cut this down to 12. Don’t freak, these are not large portions they are only tastes (1-2 bites each) so the 12 courses is manageable to consume.
Focus the menu around a specific ingredient like truffles or an herb like rosemary.
How to execute? You can go easy and hire a caterer to cook and serve OR get the employees involved. Here’s how:
Pair up two employees
Give them restrictions: a specific course, a specific ingredient must be included and possibly a budget
Additionally they must pair the food with a beverage (alcoholic or not)
Set-up long dining tables, with minimal decor, some background music and have the caterer or “chefs” describe each course and beverage pairing.
3. White Christmas.
If you’re looking for an elegant night, consider a White Party. Ask guests to dress in all white and serve white-ish food and white/clear beverages. Spruce it up even more and make it cocktail or formal attire.
The pièce de résistance a wintery photo scene with a carriage (sans the horse). Guests will love to hop on and take a pic.
Add in gold and silver decor to punch up the glamour of the evening.
4. Holidays in Atlantic City (‘cause Vegas has been done)
Bring in a casino company to play games, but don’t stop there; add in the fun of the boardwalk with arcade games, skee ball and you MUST serve salt water taffy.
Kick it up a notch and ask caterers/bartenders to dress like characters from Boardwalk Empire, serving moonshine and decorate the venue like a speakeasy or hold the event in a basement/secret location.
Great entertainment would be a live jazz band and then finish off the night with a DJ.
5. Nightmare Before Christmas Theme
The holidays don’t have to be cookie-cutter (pun intended). Make this celebration Tim Burton-esque and spooky by asking guests to dress in Halloween costumes.
The decor is simple, carve up some spooky jack-o’-lanterns, turn the lights down, add in some black cut-out trees, bales of hay and maybe a scarecrow or two.
If you have a blank white wall, project the movie (muted) on to the wall.
One other fun element, find a live band that can dress the part and perform accordingly.
6. Holiday Down-Under (reverse Christmas - beach themed)
Those on the lower hemisphere (like Australia) hold their Christmas during their summer months, so it’s beach time. Why not do the same, especially if your in a wintry area and already have those winter blues.
Kick up the heat and decorate with sand, seashells, beach balls and maybe throw in a kids paddling pool.
Serve up some BBQ chicken or beef, corn on the cobb and finish it off with ice cream floats.
Music? Beach Boys of course!
Feeling charitable? Box up the remaining food for any of the above themes and take to a local food bank, shelter or food rescue. Concerned about liability; the EPA protects organization's when they donate “apparently wholesome food” in good faith to a nonprofit organization (Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act of 1996).
Any of the above themes are solid building blocks for a fun finish to the year. Add on or scale back, just make it an event you can enjoy too.
Still concerned this won’t work for your company, contact Kim@KimRugglesEvents.com for a free consultation about your holiday party and if an event planner can help.
Want more tips, inspiration and/or downloads to help you make corporate events bigger, better and A LOT more fun, subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter HERE.