Georgina Fuller identifies the top tips for wowing employees at Christmas
Christmas parties for employees can be difficult, and providing something a diverse workforce will all enjoy can quickly become a headache.
Tim Stevens, managing director of Eventist Group and Christmas party guru, has some top tips for a successful event:
- Giving your Christmas party a theme can make it more unusual and memorable. For example, the year the company was founded, or some other important milestone.
- To get employee buy-in, try to involve them in planning. Ask them what they would like; perhaps have a committee with a mix of management and employees to agree what form the party will take and who is responsible for arranging it.
- Set a clear budget; make sure everyone involved is aware of it.
- Give careful consideration to the location of your party; how accessible is it for all of your employees? You might need to lay on coaches to take them there – and make sure they can all get home easily and safely afterwards.
- If you are having entertainment, offer it in short bursts. For example, between each course if you are serving a meal. Entertainment is a great idea, but it can go on too long and far exceed your guests’ attention spans.
- Provide plenty of food and do not serve it too late. Make sure you offer a selection of interesting non-alcoholic drinks too.
- It is also worth remembering that an office Christmas party is one of the most tax efficient ways of rewarding staff, with £150 tax allowance per head and no NI contributions.
- Finally, make employees aware of what is and is not acceptable behaviour. It is your company event, so you are ultimately res-ponsible and liable for anything your staff do.
- However, not all employees will like the idea of a big, costly, alcohol-fuelled Christmas party so it could be worth offering some alternatives too. The Christmas party is not very family-friendly or designed to appeal to a mixture of faith groups, so try some different options such as an afternoon tea party that staff can bring their kids to. Provide great cakes and a variety of teas and hot chocolates. Another option might be a big breakfast at a local cafe or a brunch event.
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