There are plenty of firsts when you own a business, and while most of them can be serious milestones or even challenges, some are a bit lighter.
Hosting your first work-related party is indeed a big deal in that you want it to go off without a hitch, but this is also a great opportunity to step outside your traditional job parameters and show appreciation for employees and/or customers and clients.
With that said, here are six tips for hosting your first work-related party.
What Is the Purpose of the Party?
The first thing you want to think about is the reason for the party. Is this party for your employees or is this a networking event where you invite customers, clients, vendors, partners and so forth?
If you’re hosting the party for employees only, then it may be to show appreciation for their hard work, a holiday or event or some other special reason.
The purpose of the party will help you to figure out the tone of the gathering, which will be useful as you work on the rest of the plans.
Will It Take Place During Office Hours?
Now you need to think about timing. Will the party be held during work hours – which tend to be convenient for staff but not necessarily clients and other guests – or would you prefer to hold it in the evening or on a weekend?
Set a Realistic Budget and Stick to It
Just like with any event, an office party also needs a budget. Setting the budget before you start planning will ensure you stick to an amount that you feel comfortable with.
It can help guide you with decisions too, as everything you book or purchase for the party needs to fit within the budget.
Find a Suitable Venue
At this stage in the planning, it’s time to find a suitable venue. For many people, that may be the office.
This is especially the case if it’s just a small group of employees in attendance. There probably isn’t a need to rent out space.
If, however, you are hosting a large event, and you want a venue that is better suited to a party and is perhaps more elegant or sophisticated, then you’ll need to find something outside the office.
A couple of things to consider when booking a venue include:
- The cost of the space
- How accessible the venue is for guests
- Is the space large enough for everyone on the guest list?
- Does the space fit with the theme/vibe of the gathering?
- Can you serve food and drinks in the venue? If so, will they be provided by an on-site caterer, or will you need to hire one?
- Do you want a space where people mingle and move about, or are seated in one spot?
There is plenty to think about as you look around for the ideal venue, and so much more than just the price alone.
Send Out Invitations Well in Advance
No matter what kind of party it is and who is on the guest list, the invitations need to be sent well in advance.
This is the best way to ensure that you get a good turnout. While paper invites have typically been used in the past, they are a dated option.
For something more modern and more likely to be seen, opt for text message invitations.
You can choose from a variety of different designs, allowing you to find one that strikes the right note for your party. There is plenty of room to include all the important details, of course.
Figure Out Food and Beverages
Here’s an aspect of party planning that should never be overlooked and that’s the food and beverages you plan on serving.
Let’s face it, when people show up to a party, gathering or event, they expect food and beverages.
That doesn’t mean you have to put together a huge spread and a sit-down meal, but your guests will need something.
Some venues will look after all the catering for you, with you just picking the menu, whereas other locations will require you to provide everything.
If you’re hosting the party in the office, then food and beverages are entirely on you. You can hire a local caterer or even put in an order with a restaurant that can deliver.
If the party is happening outside of mealtime, you can keep it to appetizers.
If it’s during mealtime, you’re going to need to provide your guests with more substance and spend more money.
Using all these tips and making sure you give yourself plenty of time to plan, your first work-related party will be a massive success.
Ella Marcotte
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