Submitted by Gage Professionals on
Office holiday parties can be a great way to celebrate a great year, and gear up for success in coming year. Depending on your organization’s size and history, you may prefer something casual in the office, or an all-out formal extravaganza.
Make sure your holiday party is a success.
Holiday parties are great opportunities for teambuilding, and are also just a nice way to relax during a hectic season. Here are some tips to help make your office holiday party a success:
1. Get out of the office. Unless it is your only option, plan your office party at an outside location. It can be hard to celebrate surrounded by cubicles, voicemails, emails and other stressors. Your office party should be a time to relax. If you don’t want to go to a restaurant, be creative and think of other places where you can celebrate (art galleries, museums and golf domes are just a couple of ideas).
2. Give back to the community. It’s the season of giving, and many people like to donate to worthwhile charities at this time of year. Why not make it official, and encourage your employees to bring a non-perishable food item or unused toy as their “admission” to the party? You can designate an employee to deliver the goods after the party, and you will have made an impact on the community through your celebration.
3. Invite significant others. If your office party is an afternoon in the office, this may not be appropriate, but if you’re inviting your employees to a restaurant or bar to ring in the holidays, etiquette (and common sense) dictates that you should also invite your employees’ significant others. You’ll avoid bruising egos and hurting people’s feelings, and you’ll also give your team an opportunity to meet their coworkers’ families.
4. Involve the team. Sure, it might be easier to call a caterer or let the venue handle all the details, but ask employees to join a committee that will help ensure the party runs smoothly. Your employees will be more invested in the result, and they may also catch some small details missed by an outside vendor, providing a more personal gathering for your team.
5. Show up! Whether you’re in HR or you’re a leader within your organization, ensure you at least make an appearance at the office holiday party. Everyone is busy this time of year, and attending the holiday party demonstrates that you are a member of the team, and that you place value on spending time with your employees or coworkers.
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