The holiday season is a special time to celebrate and the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for your employees. While it might seem early to think about the holiday season now, it’s actually the perfect time! Planning ahead helps ease the stresses of rushes, delays, and shortages that might pop up. And believe us, they do!
Appreciation Makes a Difference
So let’s talk about your corporate holiday party, employee appreciation gifts, and corporate holiday gifts. They all go a long way towards boosting morale, fostering team spirit, and expressing gratitude for the hard work put in throughout the year. They’re appreciated even more than you might think. Gestures like these make for happier employees and customers — and a more successful company.
Since the promo rule for ordering holiday gifts for employees and corporate holiday gifts is 90 days, starting now is starting right. This blog will guide you through the process for a holiday party that keeps giving well into the future.
1. Set a Date and Venue Early
- Pick Your Date
One of the first steps in planning your corporate holiday party is selecting a date. The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, so it’s essential to pick a date well in advance. Consider sending a survey to find out which dates work best. Often, earlier in December is better to avoid the Christmas crunch. Some companies have even moved to January to avoid that busy time altogether. - Book the Venue
Popular venues also get booked quickly during the holiday season. To secure your preferred location, start researching and contacting venues that can accommodate your size and event type. Booking early can also sometimes give you leverage for negotiating better rates. Whether you’re planning a formal dinner, a casual get-together, or a themed party, make sure the venue can accommodate all your needs.
2. Plan the Details
- Theme and Decorations
Themes can take a corporate holiday party to the next level, making it far more cohesive and fun. Think “Winter Wonderland,” a retro holiday, or an elegant black-tie event. Once you’ve chosen a theme, the decorations, music, and dress code will easily fall into place. Make sure to shop early for decorations to avoid the last-minute rush and potential shortages!
- Catering and Menu
As all of us can attest, food can make the event. Make it good! Whether you’re going with an in-house catering service or an external vendor, confirm your booking early. Secure menu options that accommodate various dietary preferences and restrictions. By ordering early, you’ll have greater choices available and can avoid the holiday rush that could limit availability.
- Entertainment and Activities
The entertainment and activities are also key to making the party. Do you want a live band, a DJ, a photo booth? How about a caricaturist, gambling tables, and a sushi bar? Book your entertainment early also to ensure they’re available on your chosen date. Planning activities like games or a gift exchange can also add a fun vibe. If you created a special playlist you can play that too. Start gathering the necessary materials or prizes early to avoid those last-minute hassles. Are you picking up on the early theme?
3. Order Employee Appreciation Gifts Early
- Select Thoughtful Gifts
Never underestimate the power of gifts. People always remember how gifts made them feel, and employee appreciation gifts are an especially good way to show gratitude. Decide what type of gifts you want to give. Personalized items, gift cards, or practical gifts like tech gadgets are all great options. Our promo team can show you some of the more popular or innovative holiday gifts for employees out there. We can help you consider what your team would appreciate most. You’ll also want to get your corporate holiday gifts for customers at the same time. Again, order them early to guarantee you’ll get what you want, on time and within budget.
- Bulk Ordering and Customization
If you’re ordering gifts in bulk or opting for personalized items, placing your order early is crucial (yes, that again!). Customization takes time, and during the holiday season, processing times can be longer due to high demand. Early ordering ensures you receive your holiday gifts for employees and corporate holiday gifts on time — and avoid the stress of potential delays or shortages.
- Budgeting
Planning early also helps you stay within your budget. Early bird discounts and bulk order deals can save you money, allowing you to allocate funds to other aspects of the party. By setting a budget for holiday gifts for employees early and sticking to it, you’ll ensure a stress-free planning process.
Related: New Employee Welcome Gift Ideas and Trends
4. Communicate With Your Team
- Send Invitations Early
Once the details are set, send out invitations early too. With so many competing events, the ones who get their invites out earliest win! Digital invitations can be a quick and efficient way to send out invites and track responses. We can help you design a traditional invitation or a digital one that sets the tone and builds the anticipation!
- Keep Everyone Informed
Regular updates keep the excitement alive. Use internal communication channels to keep everyone informed about the party details, any changes, and the itinerary. This keeps everyone on the same page and looking forward to the event.
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
- Corporate holiday parties have a lot of moving parts. Even with the best-laid planning, unexpected issues can arise. The venue's basement floods, the audio-visual equipment doesn’t work, the caterer doesn’t show. Having a contingency plan in place helps you handle any last-minute hiccups smoothly. Whether it’s an alternative venue, extra set of audio-visual supplies, or a backup caterer, being prepared can save you a lot of stress — and save the party!
Related: Placing a Promo Item Order: What Info Do You Need?
Get Ready for Your Company Holiday Party Now
Just remember: the early planner gets the best party! Planning your corporate holiday party and employee appreciation gifts early is the key to a successful and stress-free event. Start now to avoid the rush, sidestep delays, and prevent shortages. Plus you’ll save money too.
With this list, you can be ready with time to spare. Let the promo team at Ironmark help make it your best holiday party yet, with invites that create the excitement, decorations that make the moment, and gifts that go the distance. Dazzle your team with an event they won’t forget for a gift that gives all year long.
