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Paul Spano

The holidays are almost here, which means it’s time to get a jump on your holiday party planning. If you haven’t already booked the venue and started working on the guest list, you’ll want to get started now. There’s only a couple short weeks before the end of the year.

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If you followed proper party planning protocol, the first thing you did was sit down and create a budget for your holiday party. If you own or work for a small company, chances are your budget is fairly tight, so you need to trim back.

Luckily, there are still many fantastic small company holiday party ideas that you can pull off without breaking the bank. If you’re wondering how to throw a fantastic party and still stay on budget, give one of these ideas a whirl.


Having an Office Movie Matinee Is One of the Easiest Small Company Holiday Party Ideas

There are so many classic holiday movies out there, and your staff likely has a few favourites. Why not stop workingfor a few hours and have a movie matinee? You can offer up movie-theatre-style snacks and holiday-inspired drinks.

You can ask staff members to bring in copies of their holiday favourites to exchange as presents. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, why not craft a catered holiday menu featuring some of the holiday dishes from their favourite films?

This option is a great informal choice for those with a small budget. Your staff can share food and favourite films, as well as relax for a little bit.


Cater an Afternoon Tea for the Office

Another option you have is to cater a small get-together at the office. You can opt for lunch or tea and snacks during the late afternoon. Make sure you give staff members some time to join in the festivities.

The holidays are all about food, drink, and great company, so this option is particularly appropriate. It’s also a great choice if you happen to have a small budget to work with.


Get into the Great Outdoors

Why not rent an ice rink and take everyone skating for the afternoon? This might seem like a costly option at first, but it doesn’t need to be. You can even skip the rental if you know of a local rink that isn’t too crowded or your group is very small.

Afterwards, you can treat everyone to some hot apple cider or hot chocolate, as well as something sweet for the appetite they just worked up.

Not into skating? There are plenty of other outdoor options you can choose from, such as hiking or skiing.


Host a Holiday Happy Hour

Small company holiday party ideas can also see you head out of the office to a local bar, café, or privately rented venue for happy hour. If you have the space, though, you can also host a holiday happy hour right in your office.

Many local spaces will likely allow you to rent them for an hour or two, especially during a weekday afternoon. This can be much more budget-friendly than renting out a big hall for several hours for a fancy party.

Some spaces will even allow you to bring in your own catering, while others will provide in-house service. Be sure to do your research.


Volunteer Together for a Stronger Team and Community

During the holiday season, you may want to find a way to give back to your community. Some small company holiday party ideas revolve around this theme. You can make your team stronger and give back to your community by doing some volunteer work.

Hold a donation drive and wrap up gifts, or take a team trip to a local soup kitchen or to drop off donation items at the local food bank.

There are so many great small company holiday party ideas, you’ll be sure to get your team in the holiday spirit.


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Paul Spano

With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Paul was the driving force that brought Seventh Heaven together back in 2001. Having started his career in the kitchen, Paul’s passion and thirst for knowledge helped him move quickly through the ranks. He is now Seventh Heaven’s Senior Sales Consultant, Event Planner, and Director of Venue Development. Managing different venues that seat 750 to 1800 guests, Paul brings exceptional operational skills to his role. No matter what you envision or what your dreams and desires are, Paul makes them a reality by getting it done. According to Paul, there is no greater joy than surpassing all of your clients’ and guests’ expectations. His expertise and passion make him one of the pillars of Seventh Heaven.
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