General Questions

Why do companies have Christmas parties?

Companies have Christmas parties to serve as a way to celebrate, connect, and appreciate employees, fostering a sense of unity and creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Are company holiday parties tax deductible in 2023?

Yes, company holiday parties are tax deductible in 2023. But, it is always recommended to consult with a qualified tax professional or accountant to determine the tax deductibility of company holiday parties in your specific jurisdiction and for the current tax year. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your individual circumstances and local tax laws.

How to host a company holiday party?

Want to host a company holiday party and don’t know where to start? Determine your budget, approximate locations (city and driving distance for your guests) and contact us. We will help you plan the entire event from start to finish. For DIY planners, check out this article on How to Plan a Company Holiday Party.

Do you work with third party vendors? Caterers?

Yes, we work with third party vendors, caterers, venues and others in order to provide you with the best corporate holiday party possible.

Best Practices

What are company holiday party etiquette practices?

Company holiday party etiquette practices include RSVPing (and arriving) on time, following the dress code (see our article “What to Wear to Your Company Christmas Party”), drink in moderation (if applicable), mingle and keep conversations appropriate for the workplace, participate in group activities (if applicable) and have fun! Remember, company policies still apply even at the holiday party, so be sure to follow those as well.

Should I go to the company holiday party?

Yes, you should go to the company holiday party! There are many benefits in attending the festivities, including having a great time with your coworkers. Often the company holiday party is where awards are presented, giving you invaluable insights on what will get recognized (as well as a chance to pick the minds of the best and brightest of your company). Creating lasting relationships is also a big benefit to attending your company holiday party.

Remember, these parties are designed to be rewarding for YOU and your coworkers for a year of hard work. Don’t miss out!

What should I wear to a company holiday party?

Good question. We dedicated an entire article to this. Read “What to Wear to a Company Holiday Party”.

What are some company holiday party entertainment ideas?

You can find a large list of company holiday party entertainment ideas here.

What makes the best company holiday parties?

The best company holiday parties are personalized to the employees and company hosting them. Some might respond best to a gala style with formal gowns and champagne poured from living chandeliers while others might opt for an outdoor winter festival style with sledding and fun winter activities. Whether you invite family or just a plus one or if you’ll host it at a local or destination location – it all depends on your company’s culture, employee expectations and your budget.

When should I plan my corporate holiday party?

Most of our clients book their corporate holiday parties in the spring to secure their venue, date and vendors on time for an end-of-the-year party. However, we can and have produced great parties and events in short periods of time, it just depends on how flexible you are on the venue, location, date and options for vendors, entertainment and decor. Some companies choose to not compete with all the holiday festivities and instead opt for a yearly “kick-off” party or another alternative. See “Alternatives to December Parties” for more details.

Virtual Events for Remote Employees

What ideas do you have to have a virtual holiday party for remote workers?

We have lots of ideas for virtual events for remote workers – read the article “Company Christmas Parties During COVID” and see our service page “Virtual Social Gatherings” for more information.

Budget-related Questions

What is the estimated cost of organizing the holiday party?

Learn how to budget for your event by using this helpful article.

How can we make the most of our budget to create a memorable event?

You can make the most of your budget and create a memorable holiday party by prioritizing what matters most. Hire an experienced event planner (like those who work for our agency) and inform them of your priorities, the budget you have and your guest count and let them plan a memorable event for you.

Are there any cost-saving options or recommendations for different aspects of the party?

There are a lot of cost-saving options for your corporate holiday party.

First understand what is most important and place your budget there (while covering the basics elsewhere). If entertainment is the most important part, plan your party after dinner with hors d’oeuvres over a plated dinner.

If the meal is vital, use the guests as entertainment with group activities like karaoke, contests (like ugly sweater) or gift exchanges.

Venues can really eat up a piece of your budget. If you have the space, you may opt to decorate your own location. We have transformed warehouses, empty office floors and even parking lots.

Floral arrangements can add a cost, you can opt for paper centerpieces (even custom printed with lighting options) for a lower cost without compromising.

Venue and Logistics Questions

What are the available venue options for hosting the holiday party?

Event Solutions has a huge database of venues all across the country. What venue works best for you depends on your individual location, budget, guest count, and AV considerations. Some companies opt to use their own location. We have transformed warehouses, lobbies, empty office floors and even parking lots.

We also work directly with your hotel, acting as your liaison between the hotel staff and your vendors.

Can you provide information about the capacity, location, and amenities of the venues?

Yes, we can provide you with information about the capacity, location and amenities of the venue. Try Event Venue Calculator for additional help in selecting a venue.

How early should we book the venue to secure the date?

Most of our clients book their venue in the spring for a winter event. For high demand venues/dates, some clients even book their venue year or more in advance.

Theme and Decoration Questions

What are some popular holiday party themes or creative ideas?

Every year this list grows and changes. Take a look at this list from 2021 of popular holiday party themes.

How can we incorporate our company’s branding into the party decorations?

Because we specialize in corporate events, we have a lot of experience in developing brand and managing company image during events. Take a look at our Gallery from past holiday parties to get ideas or visit this page on Developing Themes and Brand for Corporate Events.

Can you provide suggestions for festive décor, lighting, and ambiance?

Our corporate holiday party designers will provide you with examples and suggestions that fit your company’s theme, goals, and budget. Take a look at our Planning Company Holiday Parties page to learn more.

Entertainment and Activities Questions

What entertainment options are available for the holiday party?

Visit our Holiday Party Entertainment page for options.

Can you recommend live bands, DJs, or other performers?

We have a huge network of entertainers including live bands, DJs and other performers. Visit our Holiday Entertainment for Corporate Events and Parties page for more details.

Are there any interactive activities or games that would be suitable for our employees?

Absolutely, we have a number of interactive activities and games that are suitable for your employees. Visit our Entertainment page for more options.

How can we ensure engagement and participation from attendees?

Event Solutions has been planning corporate events and company holiday parties for over 35 years. In that time, we have learned what works and what does not. We also spend time learning about your company, its employees and culture in order to make customized suggestions that will drive engagement and increase participation.

Food and Beverage Questions

What are some catering options for the holiday party?

You can select any number of our in-house solutions or we can work with a third party caterer that best fits your needs. Take a look at our Holiday Catering page for more information.

Can you suggest menus or catering services that fit our budget and dietary preferences?

Yes, we can suggest menus and catering services that fit your budget and dietary preferences. In fact, we have an entire article dedicated to this topic: Dietary Restrictions & Event Catering: Event Solutions to Common Diet Restrictions.

Are there any special considerations for allergies or dietary restrictions?

We encourage our clients to offer a comments section or drop down selection for noting allergies on their RSVPs so our catering team can make accommodations. We also provide Vegan options by request.

Should I serve alcoholic beverages at my company holiday party?

This is a good question. We discuss all this and more on our article “Booze and Business Events“.

Scheduling and Timing Questions

How long should the holiday party last?

Most company Christmas parties and year-end parties are about 4 hours long.

What is the best time and day to schedule the event?

Traditionally the best time and day to schedule your company holiday party would be Saturday evening. However we are seeing a growing trend to host events during the day and Thursday-Fridays in place of weekends.

Are there any holiday-related dates or conflicts to consider?

There are many holiday related dates and conflicts to consider when planning your company’s Christmas party. The most obvious are holidays themselves, but many employees are also planning their own events and taking time off to travel and be with their families. Perhaps this is why there is a growing trend to host their holiday parties during the week or switch to a January party over December.

Invitations and RSVPs

Can you help us design and send out invitations for the holiday party?

Yes, we can help you design and send out invitations for your holiday party! In fact, we also handle your digital RSVP and event webpages to make the planning process as easy as possible for you.

Is there a preferred method for collecting RSVPs?

Yes, we prefer a digital RSVP process. We create a landing page for your guests with information about your holiday party and a form for them to fill out. This allows us to customize your menu, seating arrangements, name tags and more. By being digital, we reduce paper waste and lower your event carbon footprint from printed and mailed invites/RSVPs.

Can you provide guidance on managing guest lists and seating arrangements?

Yes, we offer guidance on managing guest lists and seating arrangements. We also offer name tags, place cards, and lanyards services.

Gift Exchanges and Party Favors

Should we organize a gift exchange or provide party favors for attendees?

Whether or not you want to have a gift exchange or provide party favors for attendees is completely up to you and your event budget. We will organize and support either/or.

Event Photography and Documentation

Can you arrange for event photography or videography services?

Yes, we can arrange for event photography and/or videography services. We can also live stream events and have a full event production crew on staff to serve your A/V need

Company Holiday Party FAQs

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