If you haven’t already started planning your corporate holiday party, it’s time you got down to business. Planning a party can be done in a few weeks, so long as you have a good idea of what you’re doing and what you want. Streamlining the process is important.
What are the steps to plan a party?
The first step should be to set a budget. From there, you can begin working on setting a date, picking a venue, and confirming the guest list. Next, you’ll want to book a caterer and create a unique menu. You’ll need to give some thought to decorations, along with any entertainment. Finally, you may want to decide on a theme, which will tie all of your decisions together.
If you’re working on planning your holiday party now, use this step-by-step guide. It will help you streamline the process, so you can plan an amazing party in short order.
Set a Budget for the Corporate Holiday Party
The first thing you need to do is set a budget for the holiday party. Many people leave budgeting until later in the process or, worse, don’t set a budget at all.
A budget helps you stay on target. Knowing what you have to spend on which aspects of the party from the very beginning can help you make better choices when it comes to booking the venue or creating a menu.
Set a Date and Book Your Party Venue
The next thing you’ll want to do is set a date for the party. You may need to survey employees in order to get a sense of which date will work best for the majority of your workforce. You might also just go ahead and set the date based on tradition.
Once you have a date, you can book your venue. Alternately, if dates are more flexible, you might want to select a venue first and then see which dates are available. The best venues book up quickly, which is one reason to book early in the process.
Another reason to be sure you book your venue early is so that you can move forward with other steps in planning your corporate holiday party. It’s difficult to set a menu or decide on decorations if you haven’t first decided on the space.
Confirm the Guest List
Before you book your venue, you’ll likely want to have a rough idea of the number of guests who will attend the corporate holiday party. Once you’ve booked the venue, however, you can confirm the guest list.
You’ll want to know roughly how many people are attending, both so you can make good decisions about how to use the venue space and so you can make decisions about the menu. Be sure to have attendees note any dietary restrictions on their RSVP.
Pick a Caterer and Develop the Menu
Food is one of the most important aspects of your corporate holiday party, so you’ll want to choose your caterer carefully. Once you’ve selected the right one for your party, you can begin to develop the menu.
Be sure to keep any dietary restrictions in mind as you develop the menu. You may also want to look at some of the latest trends or tie the food to your theme.
Think about Entertainment
How will your guests be entertained at the corporate holiday party? Some people give away prizes, while others organize games to be played. Still others arrange for a dance. Speeches might be in order, or maybe you want to book a live performance by a local entertainer.
The entertainment is second to the food, so be sure to think about it once you’ve settled the menu.
By following these steps, you can make it easier to plan your corporate holiday party. If you need a helping hand, talk to the experts.
