Gifts

 Party Ideas

•If you have been assigned to plan this event, make yourself the event organizer and

pull in other social employees or volunteers to create a committee.  You or your

committee may want to set up a suggestion box or create a short questionnaire

for employees to solicit ideas.

•What is your budget? You must have this before your begin.  This will determine facility, menu, entertainment, decorations and gifts for your event. 

•Based on budget, decide if this is an employee only, employee & guest or employee

 family event.

•Set the date, place and time for your party. Make reservations as early as September

 for more sought after facilities or caterers.  Remember when setting the date to make

 sure it is not on an important commitment date for your business. For example, if you

 are implementing a new product or service on the second Friday in December, you

 wouldn't want the party that night or even that weekend for many employees may be

 working overtime or on call for any issues. 

•Once the date, time and place are set then send out invitations at least four weeks

 in advance. Send out reminder emails or Post flyers on boards.  Request RSVP's to

 attend, this will help with your counts if using a caterer.  You can always count on

 a few that don't and still show up.  Make sure employees that work off-site are also notified. 

•Make sure your business is legally safe if you are providing alcoholic beverages to your guest.   Many states have "social hosts" laws which under certain circumstances your business can be  held liable for injuries or deaths caused in an accident of an intoxicated employee served at  your party. Check your state laws or consult with your business lawyers.  Offer alternative  transportation like taxis or designated drivers and follow through on it.  According to a recent  survey, only 12 % surveyed had their keys collected at a party and less than 30 % have gone to a party in which an alternative way home was offered.  Be responsible! 

•Use my party guideline as a checklist for supplies and decorations you need to provide for this event.

•Try one of these different locations for an off-site party:

•Movie Theater

•Bowling Center

•Race Track ( Horse. Dog or Car)

•Casino

•Museums

•Art Gallery

•Indoor Ice Rink

•Cruiser (Lake or Ocean)

•SportsPlex or Sporting Event

•Arrange a local middle or high school band to play at the party. Ask a school or church

choir to sing holiday tunes. Or you may just have some musically talented staff members who are willing to put on a show.

•Tis the Season of Giving - For adult parties, ask employees to bring new scarves or mittens to be donated to a local charity. For family events, set up a corner where toys can be donated to a local charity.

•Your location may set your theme, but if your having it at the office or a rental hall add

a theme to your party. How about a Winter Collage, Starry Night, Evergreen, Poinsettia,

Snowflake, or Holiday Music theme?  View Corporate Gathering Themes.  

•Provide a small party favor for all guests, especially if children are invited. You may even want to invite Santa to deliver these gifts.  One tip, give something festive not company logo products. 

•For small businesses with less than 20 employees host a murder mystery party or a

reindeer game night ( pool, cards, darts, pinball, etc.).

•Give away some door prizes or have a secret Santa exchange for smaller businesses

in lieu of party favor gifts.

Written By: Michelle Hylton, Party & Gift Consultant

Date: August 17, 2005

Author and ezine editor Michelle Hylton shares her passion of celebrating and gift giving.  Her complimentary newsletter provides party tips, gift ideas, recipes, contests and more.  Start your celebration today at:

http://www.PartyShelf.com

Party Consultant M. Hylton
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Revised: 09/07/08