Corporate holiday parties are a fun event to look forward to after a long years’ worth of work. You might be asking what the purpose of a corporate holiday party is and we’re glad you asked! They are a great way for companies to build comradery and celebrate with the people they appreciate most like employees and clients. Plus it’s a fun way for co-workers to enjoy each other’s company without the stress of work.

We wanted to give you a head start when it comes to hosting your own corporate holiday party and some tips that will make your event stand out.

What are some rules for hosting your corporate holiday party?

Create a Budget

When planning a party, it can be easy to get carried away with décor, food and venue, and before you know it, you’ve spent more than you bargained for. We always suggest laying out a realistic budget for your event so that you can stick to it as closely as possible. You can divide your budget into different categories to keep you even more thorough and organized.

Choose an Event Theme

Once you have laid out a budget, you will want to decide the type of theme you will have. When it comes to holiday parties, you can stick to the traditional reds and greens, you can have a more iced out theme that revolves around snow and sparkle, or you could do a black tie event. The options are endless. This will create a unique experience for your guests.

Find Venues for Holiday Party

When it comes to booking a venue for a party, you will want to make sure you tour many different locations to figure out what you want and need. Sometimes a space may seem perfect on paper, but when you go to tour it, the layout or the design of the venue doesn’t match the aesthetic of what you are envisioning. At Piovra Group, we offer venue consulting for parties, and birthday party rental spaces to take out the extra work on your end. We have experience negotiating pricing and finding the best fit for your event. 

Determine the Guest List

Next, you will want to decide your guest list. Will you be only inviting employees? Employees and plus ones? Clients? Your guest list will usually be determined based on your budget and the venue’s capacity. Make sure you’re keeping your guest list in mind when you book a venue for a party so that you can host all your guests comfortably.

Select Your Catering Option

You can’t have a party without food for guests, so you will want to determine the style of catering you would like. Are you going to do cocktails and hors d’oeuvres? Buffet style? A more formal sit-down meal with assigned seating? This can drastically change the look and feel of your event, so you will want to consider your options here.

Offer Experiences

Holiday parties can be a great time to catch up with co-workers you don’t get to talk to everyday, however, adding fun experiences into the party that people can do together, helps break up awkward pauses in the conversation. You could have a photobooth and props where people can have a take-away from the night. You could do a caricature station where people can pose to get their photo drawn. The options are endless and this provides more memorable moments for your guests.

Create a Schedule

A schedule of your entire event will help keep you and your team organized. If anything were to go wrong, you have a written out plan that you can turn to for assistance. This helps avoid lulls or stagnant periods during your event so that the party is always rocking and rolling.

What are some of the best venues for corporate holiday parties?

We believe the holiday party venues in Los Angeles that have an event planning team and staff are great for hosting corporate holiday parties because it takes out a lot of the leg work for you. You have a dedicated team there to make sure your event runs smoothly. We also believe the best venue is going to be one that can comfortably host your guest list and size of party. Nothing is worse than too much awkward space to fill, or too little space where guests are cramped and running into each other.

We hope these tips help as you begin to plan your corporate holiday party, and we at Piovra Group can always help assist you in finding the best party venue in Los Angeles. We believe that the best corporate event venues have an event planning team and staff for hosting corporate holiday parties because it takes a lot of the leg work for you. Working with 20+ different venues, we can find you a space that is perfect for hosting your holiday party.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: I have never thrown a corporate holiday party before, can you help me plan the whole thing?

A: Yes, it’s what we do best. From selecting the venue, to theme and décor, we can help you throughout the entire process.

Q: Is there a style of catering you recommend?

A: It really depends on your preferences. If you want to go with a simpler option, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and the buffet style are going to require much less logistics than a sit-down dinner. However, if you want a more intimate setting and the party to feel more formal, sit-down will elevate your event.

Q: How do I set a realistic budget?

A: That’s where a venue consultant like us is a great option. We can go over a realistic budget and timeframe with you to lay out different options based on price, availability and timing.