Even though work gatherings are called parties, most employees often dread these events and only attend them because they feel obligated to. However, if these parties turn out to be great and the employees truly enjoy them, they can increase worker satisfaction, strengthen the relationships between colleagues and instill a sense of pride in the company. If you want to make sure that your office party turns out amazing, here are the best tips for creating a happy and successful event:

Plan a theme

If you want to throw a memorable event, simply announcing that your office is throwing a party won’t be enough. Instead, think about the values and the culture of your workplace and use them to create a fun theme for your party. Incorporate a lot of colors, large props and signage into your décor, and exaggerate the small details. Keeping in line with the theme or the overall idea, you can even create a menu that embodies that idea perfectly. For example, if you’re throwing an ‘Oktoberfest party’, a pretzel station with specialty dips is a perfect snack option.

Be inclusive

There are a lot of decisions involved in planning an office party, and the idea of trying to please a large group of people with varying tastes seems nearly impossible. While you won’t be able to throw a party that is ideal for everyone, you can always create a more inclusive event by asking your colleagues for input. Send out a simple survey to gauge the reactions of the office to your ideas, or to ask them to vote for their preferences, and make your party planning job that much easier. A survey like this is also a perfect opportunity to find out about any allergies, dietary or special requirements.

Be smart with drink choices

Adding alcohol to a work function can help create a more social and relaxed atmosphere, so don’t forget to incorporate a great selection of booze into the bar section while you’re planning the party. Instead of the usual options, consider a more classy liquor selection that will add a touch of elegance and style to your party not to mention the glasses you're going to use in your party like thick stem gin glasses for a perfect drinking experience for every liquor you choose. There a many places nowadays where you can buy alcohol online, so it’s easy to find a high quality whiskey distillery, for example, where you can buy great whiskey, gin, or even vodka – all prefect drinks for taking your party to the next level.

If it seems some employees overdo it, take the extra step of sending them home with Adultalyte. They’ll appreciate your concern for their morning recovery.

Book an off-site venue

Staying in the office doesn’t give the staff a chance to take a break from their (sometimes stressful) work environment, which is why you should plan an off-site outing, in order to give your colleagues a change of scenery and help them connect with each other on a social level. In order to let the staff reset and recharge completely, you may even want to consider a venue that is outdoors or out of the city.

Encourage socializing

If you hire an entertainer that performs on a stage, the staff will most likely watch the show, instead of interacting with one another. Instead, try to create an atmosphere that will let people ease into casual conversation. For example, a build your own cake station or a waffle fry bar are great for motivating people to get up and start mingling, and giving them something to talk about; and they are especially useful if you have a room full of people who may not know each other too well just yet.

Make it fun

In order to make your party a fun and memorable experience, you may want to hire performers that mingle among the crowd, rather than perform in one place, or even incorporate interesting games, such as human chess, Simon Says or Family Feud. Another great idea is to bring in a screen projector and project some nostalgic video games on it for your coworkers to play. Activities like these give the staff the opportunity to connect and network in a way that would not have been possible without such a unique experience.

Office parties can have a largely positive impact on staff and team morale, so make sure your event focuses on the happiness of your coworkers and feels like a rewarding experience, in order to throw the best and most memorable party the staff has ever attended.

Mia Taylor is a lifestyle blogger from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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