For many, planning the annual office Holiday party can be stressful. They feel
pressure to go to extraordinary lengths to make each Holiday party better than
the last. Either months of planning occur or all the pressure is heaped on at
the last minute, adding to their already long list of things that need to be
done to prepare for the Holiday season. The truth is, planning for the office Holiday party can and should be one of the least stressful events of the season. After
all, it is a chance to be together, have fun, and not talk about work. This is
especially true if you are having your office Holiday party during working
hours since they are getting paid to just enjoy themselves. People generally
aren’t worried about a bunch of bells and whistles.
One of the best tips I can give you is to keep it simple. Unless otherwise
dictated by higher management, you don’t need to make the office Holiday party a gala event. Instead of going overboard on food, drinks, decorations and
entertainment, try to concentrate on one of the categories and then pull back a
little on the others. Keep in mind what your office typically likes. For
instance, if food is a top priority, then go all out on food and desserts and
make the decorations simple. Red and green tablecloths with cinnamon scented
candles in the center are enough to set the Holiday mood and if you don’t plan
on dancing, by a few different Christmas CDs to play for background music. If
everyone in your office is dieting, go light on the food and concentrate more
on decorations or entertainment.
Keep in mind that people generally want to be at an office Holiday party for
1-2 hours, so you don’t need to book a band for 4 hours or plan an elaborate
meal. If you only have an hour to be together, consider an afternoon party
with cookies and punch with a few games or door prizes thrown in. Depending on
your office, you might want to consider a weekend open house for your office Holiday party where co-workers and their families can drop by anytime during a 2-3 hour
period. This gives people an opportunity to still be with their families and
they can choose how long they want to stay. Last, but not least, remember to
take time to enjoy yourself at the party as well.
Christmas Office Party Game Tip #1
When planning your Christmas Office Party games, make sure to keep in mind the following questions:
* What is your goal in playing games at the party? Icebreaker? Entertainment? Awarding of Prizes?
* What is the personality and age mix of those attending the party?
* What is the 'feel' of the party? Casual? Dressy? The 'atmosphere' desired will dictate the type of games to be played.
* What is the size of the party? Certain games are more successful depending on the number in attendance.
* What is the size and layout of the party location? Some party games work better depending on the venue. |
Christmas Office Party Game Tip #2
Remember to make sure everyone is included in the games and see how the party livens up. |
Christmas Office Party Game Tip #3
Christmas Office Party Games don't have to be complex to be fun, in fact, the simpler the game, the better most guests seem to like them, and the less work they are for you! |
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