Some holiday parties feel like a mandatory meeting with snacks. Others become the event people talk about all year. The difference usually comes down to a few simple choices.
Ask your team first
A quick survey about dates, times and what people enjoy beats guessing. Some teams want a dressy dinner. Others would rather bowl, ski or play games. Many people have busy December evenings, so a lunch party or an early January “new year” party can boost attendance.
Make it inclusive
- Offer great non-alcoholic drinks, not just water and soda.
- Pick a theme that works for different traditions, like “winter celebration.”
- Consider inviting partners or families if your team would enjoy that.
Keep speeches short
A brief thank-you from leadership is nice. A long presentation is not. Five minutes is plenty.
Give people something to do
- A photo booth with holiday props. It gets even quiet folks laughing.
- A gift swap with a low spending limit.
- Casual awards, like “best desk plant” or “most creative Slack emoji.”
- Games, trivia or a cookie-decorating station.
Food matters more than décor
Plenty of good food, served early, makes people happy. Ask about dietary needs ahead of time.
End on a high note
Send everyone home with something small, like a treat, a photo print or a gift card for coffee. Share the photos afterward so people who missed it can see the fun, too.
If you’re planning a company party in the Roaring Fork or Vail valleys, our corporate page has booth options that work well for holiday events.