CHRISTMAS EVENTS
An EA’s guide to planning
and executing a memorable
office Christmas event or
end-of-year celebration
At the pointy end of each year, pubs, bars, restaurants
and venues are chock-a-block. The weeks leading up to and
just after Christmas are without a doubt the busiest in the
hospitality business.
To help you avoid the rush of the silly season we have
put together a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect
end-of-year celebration. With this guide you can get started
right away. Creating an event that suits everyone can be a
headache, but following a few key steps will help make sure
the event is a success.
Establish a goal
Business events, such as a conference or an
executive retreat, all have goals. An office Christmas
party is no different. Sure, these goals might not directly
lead to sales or innovative new ideas, but celebrating a year
of hard work can have many advantages.
A great Christmas party can perform a number of
practical functions. First and foremost it’s a reward for
the commitment and hard work of your team. The office
Christmas party is a celebration of everyone’s joint effort to
keep the ship sailing smoothly.
The event is also a great platform to acknowledge the
dedication of a specific team or individual with opportunities
for speeches, acknowledgements and even a small awards
ceremony.
A memorable Christmas party is a huge motivating factor.
A positive group experience will stay with employees and
encourage them to push through the tough times. A truly
great event can be the light at the end of the tunnel that
keeps employees around for longer.
At their core, Christmas parties are a social event. They’re
an opportunity for the team to share an experience and bond
in a less professional environment. Also, that experience and
connection can be shared with key customers and suppliers,
and can potentially generate more business.
Establishing a clear set of goals will help frame the rest
of the planning process. Running each decision through the
filter of a goal will help ensure that the event is not only fun,
but also has a tangible benefit.
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Theming
A Christmas event has the most impact when it’s
memorable. Employees aren’t going to make it
through the mid-year slog with a dull party to look forward
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to. A theme can create the kind of impression that will keep
people talking right up until next year.
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Issue 3 2019 | Chief of Staff 35