Fist and foremost, invite spouses, please! If the idea is to build a team, get get employees to feel appreciated and get coworkers to get to know each other a little better, then please invite their spouses. Everyone will appreciate that. I know it will cost the company twice as much, but we can save you money elsewhere. Maybe make it a weekday event?
Speaking of saving money elsewhere, if you didn't give out bonuses, or you had to let people go this year, please do not throw a lavish party with expensive bottles of wine at each table. You may think you are making your employees feel special, but undoubtedly they are thinking that you are wasting your resources. What you want is to raise morale with this party, so invite spouses and do something low key and fun. Of course, if you are one of the recession-proof businesses that is growing, hiring more employees and giving bonuses, then please, go all out! After all, without your dedicated staff, you couldn't be where you are!
Next up, name tags. Make sure that everyone wears a name tag with a line that tells the department they work in, this will encourage people to get to know coworkers in other department, and will prevent that completely embarrassing moment of blanking on the guest name.
Get out of the office! If you are pinching pennies on this party, that's okay, go bowling or something else inexpensive and fun, but please do not throw the party in your office. Give your employees a chance to go out with each other. If you do decide on something activity related, why not make the teams up of people different departments so they can get to know each other? Bring down some silos while you're at it!
And a little shameless self promotion here, but honestly, get an event planner. The holiday party should be for all of your employees, even human resources, even your administrative assistants. If they are working to throw this party, it's not really for them, is it? A good event planner will work with you to make sure everyone enjoys themselves as the guest instead of it being an extra long day of work!
Some tips for the boss: While you may want to take the opportunity to tell your dedicated staff how you can work together to make next year a more prosperous one, really just let them have fun. Say a few heartfelt words about how you appreciate their dedication and everything they've done for you this year, it's about thanks, no a pep rally. Try not to talk too much shop. That includes during the event, even if your employees are using this time to bend your ear on a new project they feel passionate about, tell them to call you on the next business day. This party isn't about work, it's about fun. Make your rounds and make sure that everyone’s having a good time, and get to know your staff and their spouses. I guarentee they will notice and appreciate that.
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