It’s the middle of summer in NYC. The days are still long, the weather is warm (sometimes hot!) and your winter gear is still in the very back of your closet. But, believe it or not, it’s time to start planning holiday parties for the upcoming season. Planning a corporate holiday party can come with a lot of responsibility. But it’s also exciting to create an unforgettable experience for your team. NYC is the perfect backdrop for this type of party because it’s truly a magical setting for a festive celebration. There’s a palpable sense of joy that’s infectious to everyone as the city transforms into a twinkling and enchanting winter wonderland.
Whether this is your first time taking on the ‘holiday party planning’ role or you’re the seasoned ‘go-to’ person, there’s a lot to do. We’re here to help! Keep in mind that any corporate party should break down barriers and allow colleagues an opportunity to socialize in a relaxed setting. Holiday parties are a great way to show gratitude while building camaraderie and improving your company’s culture. We offer some tips and tricks to help you every step of the way in the party planning process.
Select a Suitable Date
New Yorkers are busy, especially during the holiday season. To ensure a good turnout, try and plan your party in November, early December, or even after the new year so as to not interfere with conflicting holiday travel plans. Consider whether you want the event to be during working hours, on a weekday evening, after work, or a weekend, based on your team’s general availability to attend.
Decide the Type of Party You’re Planning
There are a few different kinds of corporate holiday parties, and establishing your vision early will help you with the rest of the planning process.
- In-office parties are usually fairly simple to plan and budget-friendly. Plus, attendance is generally high, as people won’t have scheduling conflicts.
- After-hours parties have their benefits as well. You can rent a room at a bar or restaurant where food is easily available, and costs are reasonable. Be sure to plan on picking up the tab for the whole team and incorporating that into the budget.
- Group outings are unique and engaging and give your team the opportunity to experience the magical aspects of NYC during the holiday season. Hit up one of the iconic seasonal spots, and you can have a team-building event and a holiday party at the same time.
- Formal galas are the best choice to really emphasize employee appreciation and wow your guests. Although planning an event of this magnitude is a challenge, these types of gatherings offer great internal networking opportunities and are the most highly reviewed type of holiday party.
Determine a Solid Budget
Determining a budget for any event is one of the most important aspects of creating a successful event. This involves balancing your company’s financial resources with the experience you want to bring to your colleagues. You have already decided what type of party you want to have. Make sure your vision is realistic with your company’s allotted funds for the party, and make adjustments as needed. Then, it’s time to figure out what your must-have elements are, like catering, venue, decor, and entertainment. Save room in your budget for unexpected expenses that might come up, and stay organized throughout the whole process by keeping track of all expenses.
Book a Stunning NYC Venue
If you have decided to have an in-office party or a group outing, you can skip this step. However, the other types of events will require a venue, and NYC has some of the best and most diverse spots to choose from. Everything from chic rooftop bars, historic ballrooms, trendy loft spaces, elegant hotels, exquisite restaurants, sophisticated speakeasies, and more! Here are a few of the top venues for corporate holiday parties in NYC:
Explore Catering Options
If you want to really wow your corporate holiday party guests, dazzle them with food. Explore (and sample) menu selections from various NYC catering companies. Plan for brilliant staging, whether you’re thinking table service or buffet. Incorporate hot cocoa bars and delightful dessert tables with seasonal displays and festive extras.
Keep in mind that some venues offer catering on-site. Luckily, NYC has some fantastic and delicious catering options that will leave your guests full and satisfied.
Choose Event Entertainment
Event entertainment has quite a range. There’s everything from traditional to unique and everything in between. Live bands and DJs always keep the energy up with festive music perfect for the holiday season. For a more interactive experience, consider a magician, comedian, or even Santa Claus to entertain your guests. Some unique ideas include flair bartenders, interactive photo booths, and caricature artists. Holiday parties are a great way to incorporate some fun and festive entertainment that will create an engaging atmosphere everyone will enjoy.
Incorporate Holiday Party Decor
This is where you can really put your stamp on the party and bring your vision to life. Festive decor will instantly elevate the atmosphere and create the perfect corporate holiday ambiance for guests to enjoy. Think twinkling lights, elegant table settings, themed centerpieces, beautiful ornaments, jolly garland, and more! Create a picture-perfect setting where your guests can get those perfect photo opportunities.
Celebrate Your Guests with Favors & Gifts
These types of company parties are about celebrating and sharing the successes of the company. Employee appreciation can go a long way in boosting company morale, too. Whether you’re aiming for practical or personal employee gifts, make sure they’re memorable and meaningful. Consider branded items that combine functionality with a corporate touch. Or something more personal like wellness kits, gourmet treats, and local experiences.
Hire the Corporate Holiday Party Pros: EMRG Media
Planning any NYC party or event is a big hill to climb. There are a lot of details to nail down, people to coordinate with, and expectations to be met. Of course, you can go it alone, but why not employ some event professionals to ease some of that stress? If you really want to wow your colleagues this year, hire a professional event planner.
The event planning pros at EMRG Media are here to help check everything off your party planning checklist. We specialize in planning every kind of NYC event, and with our 25+ years of experience, you can trust that you’re in the best hands. Contact us today, and let’s plan the holiday party for it!
