4 nov 2022, 11:32:53
By Simon Nichols
1. Order some canapes or finger food for the office
It could be a nice surprise to book some delicious party canapes to be delivered to your workplace before everyone leaves for the party. Look for a local catering supplier who can provide a tasty range of treats to help get the party started, but that are not too heavy so no one can dance! Consider finger food that staff can eat whilst still at their desk or mingling in the meeting room.
2. Entertain with an office Olympics
Why not extend your party into the working day and hire a range of gaming tables or machines for the office and create a competitive element? You can hire Foosball tables, video games, table tennis or even giant inflatable darts or ten pin bowling? The perfect way to get the party started.
3. Set up a beer fridge
This is a simple idea – get some beers, stick them in the fridge, and let people have a beer or two before you depart for the party! You can also look at hiring mini fridges for the occasion that come fully stocked by a particular range of craft beer breweries.
4. Book a mobile makeup artist
Getting ready for the Christmas is one of the joys of the event for some people, so perhaps you could go the extra mile and hire in several make-up artists for the occasion to help members of the team getting ready. It will be a real treat and create some great memories of not only the Christmas party but the hours before!
5. Hire a team of mobile hairdressers
As well as makeup, making sure your hair is perfect is vital to having a great party! Although you won’t be able to provide the team with actual hair cuts or washing, mobile hairdressers can be hired to assist in styling making sure your team look their best in the party photographs and pictures from the photobooth.
6. Provide some workplace tunes
Even if the real party is later in the evening, there’s no reason why you can’t a party in the office! Consider about hiring a DJ to spin some discs (they are often more available in standard business hours), or let the team take turns in selecting some music for the whole workplace, or even have a karaoke session. You can hire DJ equipment or karaoke machines that can be delivered and picked up direct from your workplace.
7. Create your own pre-party cocktail party
Many cocktail bars are now available to hire for a limited period and can be delivered to your workplace with a trained mixologist. Perhaps look to getting this set up in those hours after lunch and before you leave for the real party. You can even consider theming the cocktails, having champagne cocktails, or having espresso martinis which will give everyone a caffeine hit!
8. Organise transport to the party
If your party is being held offsite it’s always good to have at least organized transport to get to the venue on time and depending on the weather nice and warm! Look at hiring limousines, minibuses, or providing taxis. If the venue is close by you could even be comical and book tuk tuks!
9. Be inclusive
With any party it’s important that you are inclusive, and it’s so important in today’s workplace that you remember those remote, home or part time workers. Consider booking virtual entertainment such as music or comedy, a virtual game, and perhaps even send those workers something in the post such as a wine tasting kit or cocktail making package.
10. Start the party early...
Before everyone leaves, it would be a real treat for the staff to “go dark” and switch off the company phones and shut down emails. This will mean the team can focus on getting ready, having a few drinks, and getting in the party mood. You can even consider closing the whole office so employees can either go home to get ready or go straight to the pub 😊
Simon Nichols
Head of Partnerships at Evendo
About Simon, he has a background in the London events and hospitality market going back over 20 years. Simon has in an in-depth knowledge of the events market and currently heads up all supplier partnerships at Evendo.
