Planning Your Corporate Holiday Party

Take it from us, developing a plan is key to any successful party! We also understand that planning an event for the entire company can be quite stressful. That is why we put together a few tips on how to plan the best holiday party for your team!
1) Decide on a theme. When we are talking about theme here, we do not just mean picking between a casino night versus a winter wonderland (both are excellent party themes by the way!).  

However, we do mean that you need to consider the type of party you want to plan … consider the best food service style (station options, plated meal, buffet, or etc). As well as the feel of the party, such as creating a more formal affair for employees to be able to dress up or create a more casual gathering for guests to interact and relax a bit. 
2) Choose the venue. Find a space that is the right fit for the crowd you are hosting. The right venue could be as simple as your office or you could take your team to an off-site location. 

Luckily, we are located in one of the greatest cities that has all types of venues with different looks and feels. You can start your search by checking out our venue page where we have almost 75 different types of venues in the Chicagoland area.

3) Choose your menu. In our opinion, choosing a menu for a holiday party is one of the most fun and easiest to plan for! Why? – Because the holidays are the time to indulge and therefore, you don’t have as many limits to worry about. Just make sure you have options and plenty of dessert!
4) Create a convenient event for your guests. This is absolutely easier said than done, but here are some tips on how you can create convenience for guests!
Consider transportation options:
- Ride share credits for Uber or Lyft
- Hire a bus/shuttle
- For a more budget-friendly option, consider creating a sign-up sheet for car pooling

Include a variety of Entertainment Options:
- Music with a DJ or Band
- Photobooth
- Have a raffle
- Plan for some form of show with a magician or another type of performance
- Plan for games such as bowling or bringing in giant Jenga

Finally, consider hiring service staff to make drinks for the guests, pass hors d’oeuvres, and be there to wait on the guests so that they can enjoy themselves at the event. 
5) Most importantly, have fun! Remember that the reason for these types of corporate events is to build culture, boost company morale, and shows a form of gratitude towards employees. These events are proven to make a difference, and this list will help you accomplish these goals!

For more inspirations or ideas, give us a call to speak to a catering professional today about other ways to enhance your next catered event at 312.724.6000 or info@sbrevents.com.

Or for more photos & menu options, head to our catering menu page!

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