How to Throw A Fun (And Safe) Company Holiday Party

The holiday season yields plenty of opportunities to spread cheer, merriment and show gratitude to those that play significant roles in your life – including your employees. One of the most appreciated ways to express this is by giving the green light to let loose and socialize. We’re talking, of course, about hosting a company holiday party. Everyone can let their hair down, put work aside, and get to know each other on a more interpersonal level.

Regrettably, many corporate employees dread their annual holiday party because, well, they simply aren’t fun. Perhaps people feel as if they’re walking on eggshells, or maybe the environment doesn’t feel like a place where people can truly let their guard down around their superiors. Here are some helpful tips to help you throw a successful holiday party that your staff will look forward to each year.

Read, ‘How to Retain Top Talent: 4 Helpful Tips’ for more insight on boosting employee morale.

How to Throw a Company Holiday Party

1. Your party is a gift to the staff

Employees should NEVER have to pay to attend a company holiday party or any company-sponsored event. This is the company’s time to thank and reward employees for their hard work throughout the year.

2. Invest in good food and drink

Every party is focused on food and drink. Reach out to local caterers and ask them to send a catering menu. Be sure to do your homework and read reviews before picking the caterer. Be mindful of any dietary restrictions of employees and their guests; provide gluten-free and vegetarian options.

3. If alcohol is served, provide alternatives and arrange for safe transportation

Everyone wants to have a good time, but nobody wants to watch an employee get wasted. A way to limit alcohol intake is to provide employees with a set amount of drink tickets for the night. On the other hand, chances are you have employees that don’t drink, so be sure to provide non-alcohol alternatives. If alcohol is served, arrange for taxis or other modes of transportation for employees to get home safely.

4. Create an inviting atmosphere

Allow employees to separate work and fun. Rent a space off-site and hire a band or rent casino games to create a fun atmosphere. If you cannot rent space off-site, decorate the existing space to create a warm vibe for the party. You can still create an atmosphere that feels like you are not at work and bring in a band or DJ for entertainment! If the budget is tight, rent a speaker and play music from a phone.

5. Make attendance voluntary and on company time

Make attendance voluntary and don’t begrudge employees for not wanting to come. Additionally, make sure you host it toward the end of a workday, so employees don’t have to give up their weekend time or call babysitters in order to participate.

6. Ask for feedback and ideas from what your employees actually WANT

After the party, conduct a brief survey to gain feedback and future ideas from employees. After all, the party is for your employees. Be sure to have open-ended questions on the survey so that employees can leave names of future caterers and entertainment options.

The company holiday party is all about showing gratitude for employees, so make it about them. There’s no need for longwinded speeches from management or executives. Just put on the music, put out the food, and let people relax!

To learn more about restaurant employee-related topics check out our HR blog series for your business and employees. For questions on restaurant insurance coverage available to you, contact a Society agent near you.

Author

We strive to ensure each new hire will make a contribution to help keep Society moving forward. Beyond the necessary skills required for the job, we look to hire those with additional attributes to create a cohesive environment within our company. Join us and maximize your potential here at Society Insurance by applying at societyinsurance.com.

Latest Articles

Top Advice For Graduates Trying to Start a Career

As of 2020, there is an average of over 4 million students who have graduated from colleges in the...

7 TIPS TO HELP PREVENT PIPE BURSTING THIS WINTER

Originally published January 29, 2019, updated January 18, 2023. Many parts of the country are no...

A Guide to Safe Keg Handling

At one time or another, almost everyone who works in the restaurant and bar industry has been...

2022 Year in Review

Society Insurance is committed to providing blog posts to help business owners optimize daily...

What To Do If Someone Falls in Your Business

When we experience a special event in our lives, we try to memorialize every second of it, because...

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work

What Is Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome is defined as the persistent inability to believe...

How a Restaurant Closing Checklist Benefits Your Business

As a bar or restaurant owner, you know that your night isn’t over when the last customer leaves....

Creative Interview Questions for Finding the Right Candidate

Interview questions usually revolve around a candidate’s work history, experience and unique...

6 FACTORS THAT CAN DRIVE UP INSURANCE COSTS FOR RESTAURANTS

Have you ever caught yourself wondering why your business’ premium changes over time? Odds are you...

Stay up to date with industry updates by subscribing to the Society Insurance blog!