You’ve been working hard all year, and now it’s time to celebrate! It can be challenging to know what type of party you should throw for your employees, but the following will help give you some ideas.
There are so many things you can have at your year-end party, from games, food, and entertainment to live music, custom drinks, and more! This article will take a look at some ideas for different aspects of your company’s year-end party that can help you create an unforgettable experience for your employees.
Food and Desserts
Food and desserts are often common features of year-end parties; however, if you want to make it more memorable, consider themed items (e.g., Italian food and an Italian dessert like tiramisu). You also might consider creating specialty items like gourmet popcorn or mini cheesecakes. Pinterest is a great place to start if you’re looking for ideas. You could also style the food and desserts to reflect the general theme of the party. For example, if your office likes to dress up for Halloween, you could use those costumes as inspiration for decorations and vice versa.
When it comes to finger food for your year-end party, you want something tasty and easy to eat. You also don’t want anything that will make a mess. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Mini quiches
- Sausage rolls
- Ham and cheese croissants
- Chicken satay sticks
- Cheese and crackers
- Antipasto skewers
Custom Drinks and Cocktails
Creating your custom drinks or cocktails can be a fun activity that your employees can participate in at the party, as well as something they can take home with them later! It’s not all about drinking either; you may choose to create non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails or smoothies for those who do not drink alcohol. Some simple recipes you could use include:
- Margarita
- Strawberry Daiquiri
- Mojito
You can incorporate your company’s colors throughout the drink by using food coloring. Splashing some festive red and green into your drink can make it even more eye-catching and exciting for guests. You may also want to include the ingredients on a sign at each station where drinks are being made, so employees know what they’re getting themselves into. If you include non-alcoholic options, you may want to provide ingredient lists for employees interested in making them at home.
Transportation Services
Executive transportation service can be a nice touch for your employees. This will make it easier for them to get to and from the party, and they’ll appreciate not having to worry about getting home safely after a few drinks. You can choose to have a company car or van available for employees, or you could hire a transportation service to take care of everything.
When choosing a transportation service, make sure to ask the following questions:
- What type of vehicles do you have?
- Are your drivers licensed and insured?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- How much do you charge?
You may also want to consider providing transportation for employees who live far away from the party location. This way, no one has an excuse not to attend.
Games
Who doesn’t love games? They can be a fun way to break up the evening and get employees moving. If you want to keep things low-key, choose games that don’t require a lot of setup or equipment like charades.
If you want to play games that require more equipment, you could opt for things like pool volleyball or Mario Kart tournaments instead! There are tons of different types of games out there that will work for your year-end party, so choose what will fit your guests and the mood you’re hoping to create.
Live Music
Live music is a great way to create a memorable experience for your employees at the party. You may choose to have an individual performer, a band, or DJs; whatever you decide, make sure it’s something they can enjoy and remember! If you want something even more unique, consider hiring singers who dress up as characters (e.g., singing ’80s music by dressing like Madonna).
When it comes to choosing a band or performer for your year-end company party, there are a few things you want to keep in mind:
- First and foremost, make sure the music is something your employees will enjoy. You don’t want them feeling bored or uncomfortable during the party.
- Pay attention to the band’s or performer’s style. If you want a rockin’ party, don’t choose a jazz band!
- Make sure the band or performer is available on the night of the party. Nothing is worse than finding out your dream band isn’t available on the night of the event.
- Get in touch with the band or performer to see if they would be willing to provide any giveaways or discount codes that employees can use.
Goodie Bags
Gift bags are an excellent way for your employees to take something away from the party with them at the end of the night. You could even put together goodie bags ahead of time and have each employee collect their bag when they arrive, so they don’t have to worry about forgetting anything when they leave. When putting together goodie bags, make sure to include:
- A small gift or token of appreciation from the company
- Something edible, like a candy bar or a bag of chips
- A non-alcoholic beverage, like a water bottle or can of soda
- A coupon or discount code for a future purchase from the company
- Some type of entertainment, like a book, a movie ticket, or a game download code
You could also put together themed goodie bags if you want to give employees something extra special. For example, you could choose an ’80s theme and include things like Rubik’s cubes, cool sunglasses, and jelly bracelets, or a “Netflix and chill” theme for employees who love to binge-watch their favorite shows.
Overall, the most crucial aspect of your year-end company party is to create a fun and enjoyable experience for your employees. By taking some time and planning, you’re sure to give them an unforgettable memory they won’t forget anytime soon!