If you’re thinking about planning a company holiday party this year, it’s not too early to start looking for venues. Even though the holidays are months away, the most popular venues tend to fill up fast, and if you wait too long, you might get stuck without great options.
In this article, we’ll discuss why early booking matters, what makes a great Christmas party venue, and some creative company holiday party ideas to help you plan a memorable night.
Why You Should Book Your Holiday Party Venue Early
For many, holiday parties are a chance to take a break from the regular work routine, celebrate the year’s accomplishments, and help teams bond. Unfortunately, if you wait too long to book your holiday party venue, by the time you start calling around to check on availability, the best spots will likely be booked. This is especially true for prime dates like Thursdays and Fridays in December.
Venues that cater to company holiday parties tend to book up months in advance because corporations often plan early, weddings and other events still happen during the holiday season, and the most popular spots have limited capacity. If you want your pick of the best holiday party venues in town, especially the ones that come with great ambiance, catering options, and plenty of room for your guests, it’s a good idea to book ahead.
What to Look for in a Holiday Party Venue
The perfect space for your company holiday party will depend on your group size, budget, and the type of party you’re hoping to throw. Here are a few things to think about when you’re narrowing down your options.
Location
The best venues are easy to get to. For example, if your team works in the city, try to stay central, or if you work remotely or are spread out over different areas, choose somewhere with easy parking or rideshare access.
Atmosphere
Do you want a festive setting with space to play and fun games? Or a modern rooftop with craft cocktails and city views? The best Christmas party venue will set the tone for the night you want right off the bat.
Food and Drink Options
Catering can make planning much smoother. Some venues offer in-house catering, while others let you bring your own. If your budget allows, you can also include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options like a hot chocolate bar or festive cocktails.
Size and Layout
Make sure the space fits your group comfortably. You want enough room for mingling, eating, and dancing if you’re planning it, but not so much room that the area feels empty. If possible, look for venues with multiple layout options to choose from.
Extras
Once you’ve covered the main items, you can ask about the extras that will help make the night special. For example, does the venue offer AV equipment for speeches or slideshows? Will they decorate for you? Can they help with entertainment, like a DJ or live band? Ask about packages to save time and money.
Company Holiday Party Ideas
Once you’ve chosen the venue, it’s time to plan. If you’re looking to try something that actually gets people excited and enjoying themselves, here are some fun company holiday party ideas to kickstart your planning.
Themed Dress Code
Pick a theme and encourage everyone to dress the part. Some ideas could be winter wonderland, holiday glam, ugly sweater party, or apres ski. Having a themed dress code is a fun way to get everyone involved, lighten the mood, and make for great photos.
Interactive Food Stations
To turn the meal into an experience, try DIY taco bars, build-your-own mac and cheese, gourmet s’mores stations, or sushi rolling classes.
Casino Night
Turn your party into an exciting evening with blackjack, roulette, and poker tables. Guests can play with fake money and redeem chips for raffle prizes.
Secret Santa or White Elephant
If you do a gift exchange, up the ante with fun challenges like having everyone purchase their gifts from the Dollar Store or TV infomercials. You can have a prize for the weirdest or most creative gift.
Photo Booths
A fun photo booth with props is a holiday party staple. If you want to add to the fun, consider bringing in a caricature artist or magician.
Volunteer or Give Back
Some of the best holiday parties incorporate a donation drive or partner with a local nonprofit. It brings people together and spreads holiday cheer.
Extra Tips for Your Company Holiday Party
It’s easy to focus only on booking the venue and planning the main events, but little touches can make your company holiday party feel extra special. Consider adding things like custom cocktails named after inside jokes or company lingo, a thank-you speech or toast from leadership, a slideshow of team accomplishments from the year, and party favors. These small details will show your team that you put extra thought into the event.
What If You’re Planning Last-Minute?
If you waited longer than ideal, you might have to consider a weekday event instead of a weekend, or host a daytime brunch or lunch party rather than dinner. It’s also a great idea to think outside the box with unconventional venues like museums. If you’re really feeling pinched, you can celebrate in January instead of December when venues open back up and people are less busy.
Steps to Book Your Christmas Party Venue
Need a quick and easy guide on booking a holiday venue? First, you’ll want to get a headcount so you know how many people you’re expecting. Next, set a budget that includes the venue, food, drinks, decor, and entertainment. From there, you’ll be ready to pick a date or two (backup options will keep things flexible!) and research venues by location and group size. Once you’ve narrowed down your venues, schedule a tour or phone call where you can ask questions about fees, cancellation policies, timelines, and anything else that’s relevant to your event. Once you’ve booked, a general rule of thumb is to send invites eight weeks before the event.
Host Your Company Holiday Party at Wintrust Sports Complex
Ready to start planning a company holiday party in Chicago? Wintrust Sports Complex’s state-of-the-art, multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility is conveniently located in Bedford Park, Chicago, and we welcome groups of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more about hosting your holiday office party with us!