Christmas party ideas

What should I plan for this year’s staff Christmas party or end-of-year social occasion?

Christmas is fast approaching and you are wondering how to reward and thank your staff for their contribution to the business this year.

Here’s some ideas to consider from Corporate Challenge Events.

Before you even start contemplating the event or function, there are two simple but important things to finalise first:

1. What is your budget? This will help you determine other aspects like venue, catering, type of recreational activities, accommodation, transport and entertainment.

2. Who do you want to attend? Your staff is a no-brainer but this question is really about any additional people. Do you want to invite partners of staff, family of staff and any of your stakeholders like suppliers and sponsors?

Once you have answered these two questions, you can determine expected numbers and a per person budget.

Now it’s time to consider whether you feature Santa and Rudolf, a DJ and band, Christmas-themed cocktails, an illuminated dance floor and an inflatable North Pole for kids.

It’s time to bring your Christmas party to life.

In recent years, businesses from all over New Zealand have engaged Corporate Challenge Events to deliver Christmas parties that meet their budget, audience and company values.

Here are three popular and different ideas for your Christmas party in 2018: 1. Family Fun Day

A family fun day is a great option for Christmas for a more casual event that can take advantage of a beautiful outdoor environment in summer and acknowledge the contribution of families in employees’ work lives.

A scenic public space that can be booked via your local council can be ideal for these events and enable you to consider various catering options such as food trucks and barbecues as well as a variety of entertainment options such as bands, team building activities and inflatable playgrounds.

Be sure to choose a location that has ample onsite parking close by.

While you may organise shuttle buses from your workplace, inevitably in large organisations some staff and their families will want to make their own way there.

2. Hunt for Santa’s Sleigh

Hunt for Santa’s Sleigh is a Christmasthemed team building event that enables staff of all ages and abilities to participate in a challenge-laden pursuit around a CBD or suburb.

It is fun, it is adventurous and it is a great way for your staff to enjoy the sights and landmarks of a beautiful location.

Your entire group will be split into teams and then use skills in navigation, knowledge of the local area and teamwork to complete various fun challenges, all while trying to locate Santa’s missing sleigh.

This is a great afternoon activity to be followed by some beverages, snacks and gift-giving at the final location.

3. A Christmas staff conference

If your organisation uses the last couple of months of the year for redefining goals and plans for the year ahead, a staff conference combined with an evening Christmas party could be just the tonic.

Staff conferences bring everyone together in a fresh environment, which is conducive to creativity, to do some allimportant planning.

It may be to re-set your vision and values, determine strategic plans, do team building activities or conduct professional development through specialist corporate training providers.

Then to top it all off, you can organise one of the nights as your staff Christmas function with a festive-themed dinner and awards presentation.

There are hundreds of great Christmas party ideas that can work effectively.

It’s just a matter of choosing one that meets your budget, caters for your numbers, is suitable for the background and interests of your staff, and aligns with your company values.