I NEED HELP!!! Organizing an inexpensive company holiday party.?!
I'm dying a slow death exhausting my brain on organizing an inexpensive holiday party for my work!. We are a very small company (10 employees) - on an even smaller budget!. The goal of the party is to let our employees know how appreciated they are - without giving the impression that we are totally pinching pennies on this party!. We aren't trying to be cheapskates - the company just can't afford the extras right now!. We'd rather give our employees an end of the year bonus than an expensive party!. Is it possible to pull something off that is a happy medium!? They'd prefer to do something in the evening where they can invite a spouce/guest!. The employees are also on a tight budget themselves, so I don't want to ask them to bring anything (food/potluck, white elephant gift, etc!.) I know there has to be someone out there more creative than me! HELP!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
As long as the President isn't wasting money buying high tech toys and other business gadgets, everyone knows we are spending smart right now!. (Employees just don't want to see money wasted!.)
And if the case is that you have a small Christmas party and still have a year end bonus, I think they should be ok with that!.
Now how to show appreciation:
1!. Personalized cards from owners of the company stating what that person has meant to the company and going forward!. Specifically state reasons why you are proud them being there, not just Thanks for your hard work - Merry Christmas
Cost: Cards & time
Value: Huge
2!. Mix in fun activities and games so that few people have to think about what might be missing!. If they are busy laughing, smiling and relaxing then who has time to be grumpy!.
Games: Here are a variety of printable games
http://partygameideas!.com/christmas-game!.!.!.
Here are more game ideas including gift exchanges, scavenger games, Find Santa's reindeer, etc!.!.!. http://partygameideas!.com/christmas-game!.!.!.
3!. Food
Basically if you bring in food, bring in something good just make sure it is good!. Not fancy like $3 cookies or $2 chocolate squares!.
4!. Decorations
Balloons, lights, tree - keep it simple borrow from someone rather than buy!.
5!. Last the owner or bosses need to tell everyone at the party that it has been a tough year and together we have succeed by!.!.!. and when I reflect on this year I realize it's the people here, in this room, who make it speical!.!.!. (Let the team know their value - among friends and family)
Happy Holidays and good luck
SarahWww@FoodAQ@Com
And if the case is that you have a small Christmas party and still have a year end bonus, I think they should be ok with that!.
Now how to show appreciation:
1!. Personalized cards from owners of the company stating what that person has meant to the company and going forward!. Specifically state reasons why you are proud them being there, not just Thanks for your hard work - Merry Christmas
Cost: Cards & time
Value: Huge
2!. Mix in fun activities and games so that few people have to think about what might be missing!. If they are busy laughing, smiling and relaxing then who has time to be grumpy!.
Games: Here are a variety of printable games
http://partygameideas!.com/christmas-game!.!.!.
Here are more game ideas including gift exchanges, scavenger games, Find Santa's reindeer, etc!.!.!. http://partygameideas!.com/christmas-game!.!.!.
3!. Food
Basically if you bring in food, bring in something good just make sure it is good!. Not fancy like $3 cookies or $2 chocolate squares!.
4!. Decorations
Balloons, lights, tree - keep it simple borrow from someone rather than buy!.
5!. Last the owner or bosses need to tell everyone at the party that it has been a tough year and together we have succeed by!.!.!. and when I reflect on this year I realize it's the people here, in this room, who make it speical!.!.!. (Let the team know their value - among friends and family)
Happy Holidays and good luck
SarahWww@FoodAQ@Com
You don't say whether you will be throwing this party in your office or off site!. In your office is extremely easy to pull off cheap and nice!. You just have to buy cheap and dress it up!. Going out is trickier because restaurants are so expensive!. Try having the event on an "off" night like a Wednesday and see if a restaurant will be willing to give you a discount!. also, you can do drink tickets to limit your bar tab!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Here are some sites that offer creative ideas for a small office party!. I hope some of these help:
http://www!.businessknowhow!.com/manage/of!.!.!.
http://appetizers-finger-food!.suite101!.c!.!.!.
http://lighterfootstep!.com/2008/11/ten-e!.!.!.
http://smallbusiness!.logoworks!.com/newsl!.!.!.
http://www!.allbusiness!.com/human-resourc!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://www!.businessknowhow!.com/manage/of!.!.!.
http://appetizers-finger-food!.suite101!.c!.!.!.
http://lighterfootstep!.com/2008/11/ten-e!.!.!.
http://smallbusiness!.logoworks!.com/newsl!.!.!.
http://www!.allbusiness!.com/human-resourc!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Have a fun theme, like Game Night!. Everyone can come in their jammies and bring their favorite board game!. You can play for small prizes (pens, candy, goofy hats, etc!.) The company could provide snacks and drinks, and the prizes!. You could get away with $50 for all if you're careful!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
a chocolate fountain is always festive and very popular at parties, ask the people at work if they have one!. a couple bags of chocolate chips and a bunch of strawberries is pretty inexpensive!.
ask if anyone has a karaoke machine, those are fun!.
have someone make a cd, with eveyones favorite song and throw in a bunch of upbeat christmas music!.
homemade decorations like paper cut-out snowflakes, they're cute, easy, and free!.
have a snowman decorating contest: some styrofoam balls, glue, sticks, buttons, fabric scraps!. fun and cheap!.
have everyone make pinecone bird feeders: you need: pinecones (they are free if you live in the right area), peanutbutter, piece or yarn/string, and birdseed!. very inexpensive and they can take them home to hang outside for the birds!. you'll need sandwich bags so they can take them home with no mess!.
i'm planning a company xmas party for 50, i did last years too!. it's a gingerbread theme, and we have a dj/xmas karaoke guy for a great price!. i'm looking for ideas too!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
ask if anyone has a karaoke machine, those are fun!.
have someone make a cd, with eveyones favorite song and throw in a bunch of upbeat christmas music!.
homemade decorations like paper cut-out snowflakes, they're cute, easy, and free!.
have a snowman decorating contest: some styrofoam balls, glue, sticks, buttons, fabric scraps!. fun and cheap!.
have everyone make pinecone bird feeders: you need: pinecones (they are free if you live in the right area), peanutbutter, piece or yarn/string, and birdseed!. very inexpensive and they can take them home to hang outside for the birds!. you'll need sandwich bags so they can take them home with no mess!.
i'm planning a company xmas party for 50, i did last years too!. it's a gingerbread theme, and we have a dj/xmas karaoke guy for a great price!. i'm looking for ideas too!.Www@FoodAQ@Com