Planning an Office Party

Office parties can sometimes be tricky - you want to make sure everyone has a great time, while keeping it classy and professional. Here's some great tips on planning an event that will be the topic of conversation at next week's lunch!

Tips on Planning an Office Party

Here's what to consider when planning a work event.

Budget

The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of budget you have and flexibility in terms of the day and time of the event. An easy way to get a hot deal on a cool place would be to rent out a site during the day.

Lunch

Lunch prices are usually less expensive than dinner and this way you can afford to rent out a really nice location that you normally wouldn't be able to afford.

Plan Early

Another great idea is to start your planning early. A lot of places get booked up fast. You'll be competing with brides and other companies to get the best spot so decide early on what date you'll have the event. If you've just started planning and all your favorite venues are filled up, you could do what a lot of companies do and schedule your event after the holidays.

Invitations

Choose appropriate invitations. After you decide your venue and how formal you want to make the event, pick out invitations that fit with the theme and style of the party.

After the party, don't forget to thank the hostess (or whatever team did most of the planning) and your bosses for a great time. They won't soon forget your appreciation! 

Etiquette Tips for the Office Party

Office parties are a tough minefield to navigate. Firstly, there's the enormously weird combination of your boss and copious amounts of liquor in the same room, each demanding lots of your attention. Then there's the impending holiday time off that always induces bouts of giddyness. 

Well, we're here to help with our list of highly useful Etiquette Tips for Your Holiday Office Party. Just think of us as very wise (and hilarious) soldiers coming to guide you through the landmines. Office parties can be a great way to strengthen your inner-office relationships and have a great night of fun at the company's expense, if you navigate them properly. Use these tips at your next one and be the everyone's talking about--but in a good way.

Be Social, But Don't Overshare

It's sometimes hard to imagine before you start drinking, but, the office party is actually intended for you to socialize. Don't kill the opportunity by talking and talking and talking about work. Pick a neutral conversation starter, like commenting on the excellent food and wine pairings, and go from there. 

On the flip side, realize that you are still kind of working, so some subjects should be avoided. For example, no one wants to hear about your last visit to the doctor that ended in a colonoscopy. These are your co-workers, and unlike random acquaintances at a bar, you'll have to see them over and over again.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry - Just Not Too Merry

Someone spent lots of time planning this party, so enjoy it! Sing a little karaoke, play a fun game, try new foods and drink new wines, but be very aware of your limits. If you are in doubt about how much you can consume, drink less. No one wants to nurse a drunk co-worker all night, or worse, you could be the drunken girl that did you-know-what at the holiday party that people talk about for years to come.

Make New Friends

The holiday party is a perfect opportunity to go outside of your cubicle comfort zone. Strike up a friendly conversation with the guys in Accounting, or the new girl at the reception desk. Everyone is so happy (and stuffed with food and liquor) that it won't seem as awkward as if you were at the office. In this case, it's perfectly acceptable to start off the conversation talking about a work-related topic, but try to quickly veer into non-work, neutral territory.

Dress Appropriately

The office party is a strange hybrid of party and the office, so satisfy both sides with a stylish dress or outfit that won't raise any eyebrows.Ladies, avoid low-cut tops, short skirts, and super-low pants. You can, however, show off your holiday spirit and personality with accessories that you wouldn't normally wear to the office, like those big gold hoops or the skull-shaped necklace.

Be Grateful!

After the party, don't forget to thank the hostess (or whatever team did most of the planning) and your bosses for a great time. They won't soon forget your appreciation!