How to Plan a Great Office Holiday Party

Christmas is coming again and it's time to start thinking about parties! (The best bit of Christmas, if you ask me!) However, for those of you that are put in charge of the Christmas office parties, I must tell you, they suck! However, I am about to give you the best tips for organizing a Christmas office to remember!

You must have your Christmas party on a day where work life will not be affected. It is also a good idea to have a little before Christmas to ensure that everyone can turn up, and that they don't have other parties to go to. Secondly, you want to work out exactly how many people are in your office, and therefore, how many people this party will need to accommodate.

Invitations are costly, so put a notice (big enough so that people can read it) in a staff room, or other similar room so that all members of staff will have access to it. Give them the exact details of the party, i.e. time, date, place etc. and leave a space at the bottom so that people can write their names down who will be attending. You may also want to mention whether or not the party-goers-to-be will be allowed to bring their spouses etc.

Next, work out if you are allowed alcohol on the premises where your Christmas office party will be. If it is on company property, there is normally a no alcohol rule, and therefore you may need to get permission. If no alcohol is allowed, you may want to organize a place that everyone can go after the party, should they want to continue with the festivities.

If alcohol is allowed, you may want to work out how you are going to pay for it, and the nibbles, or have a "bring a bottle and nibbles" policy which is probably the best option all round, as everyone can choose their own drinks. Or, you could have a kitty, where people add money and then one person will be in charge of getting the booze and the nibbles. (Make sure it is a responsible person who doesn't have an addiction to cheap white wine!)

Next, party games. Everyone, regardless of age or stature loves playing party games once they have had a drink or two! Pass the parcel with rude presents, or mini bottles of booze are good. Silly presents are good too and don't forget the Christmas crackers! Those silly paper hats must be worn at an occasion like this, it is in the unwritten rules of partying! Maybe you could have a few adult games (not in the rude sense of the word) for those inhibited of you, but all around, karaoke is a good choice and can be obtained fairly cheaply. However, be prepared to be ridiculed the next time you are at work if you should decide to do a terrible rendition of "I will survive!"

The next thing on the list is rules. These are essential. You can either bring a camera, or not. No-one wants to be reminded of their terrible Christmas office party antics, so a no-camera policy is probably a good one. Especially if you do not want to be plastered all over the company website, kissing James from IT! You could suggest fancy dress, and a "secret Santa" thing. This is where you put everyone's name into a hat, each take it in turns to select a name and then you must buy that person a gift for a small price. The price has to be regulated, say $5.

Christmas office parties are there to be enjoyed, not endured, so make it as fun and as cheerful as possible. Put up decorations, let the booze flow free, and as long as no-one brings a sneaky camera, the memories will be the only reminder you have of this embarrassing night!