10 Essential Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Office Christmas Party

If you find yourself in charge of planning the grand Christmas party for your colleagues this year, this is the ultimate list of tips you need to follow. It is often not easy to organise an entire party for your office. Especially at Christmas time when even getting bookings in venues poses to be a difficult task. However, there are a few things that you ought to keep in mind before planning an amazing party which will win you all the praises. Besides proper planning, effort, and time, the following are the 10 tips you need to remember before organizing a memorable office Christmas party:

Let's get the basic things sorted, shall we? You would not want to procrastinate and push making plans till the week before Christmas. It gets extremely difficult in Delhi to get reservations in venues. You also wouldn't want to disappoint your entire office with a less-than-average party at a dodgy venue. For starters:

• decide on a venue preferably close to the office
• decide a date that is suitable for everyone.

Holidays are quite a busy season. If you plan too late, your colleagues might have already booked their dates for other parties.

It never hurt anyone to ask for a little help, did it? Sure, you may be the one that your boss trusted with the responsibilities, but you can always get your friends to pitch in a little help. If you like things organized, form a special Christmas committee. They can come up with great ideas for the venue, food, invitations, and the organization in general. Always remember, the happier the merrier.

A plan can't just grow out of a vacuum, folks. You need to make tentative plans for the party and decide on a budget. And there's also the hassle of getting it approved by your boss. From booking the venue down to the drinks, everything needs to be set within a budget. And once you have one, allocate the budget by what is most important to your group. Every office has its priorities. And so, the budget allocation will depend on the type of company you work for. While planning the party, it's very important to keep in mind that you are planning it for your colleagues. Not to please your bosses.

There are a number of questions that you need to address first. For example:

• is it a daytime or night time event and will you be drinking and dancing or wining and dining?
• Is it for a small group of people or a large one?
• Do you have the budget to accommodate husbands, wives and partners?

These are not only important questions, but they also determine how good or bad the party is going to be. The location, budget, and the number of attending guests are very important to decide on a party theme. Let's talk about Christmas party themes next.

It's a lot more fun to have a theme to stick to in Christmas parties. There is a host of ideas that you can think about. From movies to daily soaps, colors to favorite characters, there are so many amazing themes for office Christmas parties. And guess what? Your colleague will also love to participate in a game or two in the party. Mix things up, look up on the internet, or come up with your own ideas. There are no hard and fast rules. You'll know your colleagues best, after all.

And make them early invitations. This will ensure that they save the date and make it to the party. After all, you wouldn't want to plan an amazing party and celebrate it only with 2-3 other colleagues. Make sure that the invites are designed in the theme of your party. It will give them ideas for how to dress up and what to expect from the party. However, beware of not revealing too much. A little mystery is always attractive!

Let's face it guys, food is the first thing that your colleagues will remember for a very long time. It is not just men whose way to the heart is through the stomach. Women also love their food. You need to make sure that you are aware of everyone's food and drinks choices (if alcohol is included). It shouldn't be that the vegans and vegetarians feel left out.

• If you book a restaurant, make sure you thoroughly check their menu.
• If you have bought a Christmas package party, ensure that the food is top-quality.

No compromises on food and drinks!

Everyone should be having fun at the party. No one should feel left out at an office Christmas party. It’s on you as the organizer to make sure that people are enjoying the party. From music to drinks and speeches, there's so much that can be arranged for the guests.

• If you have a small office group: note down their favorite music preferences and choose the playlist accordingly. Ask them what they would like: to dance or to have a karaoke, or simply play games.
• If you have a large office group: stick to the things that people generally enjoy: music and dancing. Although, make sure that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are made available. Remember, people need to be comfortable in order to enjoy.

People will be taking a lot of photos and selfies in their own phones. But it is always advisable to get an official photographer for the party. For the extra-large group photos and to capture candid moments, this is an investment worth making for the party. Psst, it'll also remind people how amazing a party you had planned!

It is likely that the party will end late. Make arrangements for transport for the party-attendees, especially the women. As a party organizer, it is as much your responsibility to ensure the safety and security of your colleagues.

Lastly, in the middle of all the running around and making arrangements, make sure you sneak in some fun time for yourself too! It is important to have great memories with your colleagues. Especially in a party that you have organized!

These are the top 10 tips for organizing an office Christmas party that you will find extremely useful. Stick to these, and there will never be any blunders at office parties!