I'm wanting to organise a Christmas party for work?

Question

There are about 40 people in the company, the age range is betweeen 17 & 45. About half of the staff are male delivery drivers who are between the ages of 17 and 25. We are located in Matlock in Derbyshire. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Good luck!

That's 40 people who won't confirm they're coming until the last minute - leaving you unable to book anywhere. 40 people who'll haggle over the deposit - leaving you well out of pocket and 40 people that will disagree about the location chosen & blame you for 'wasting' their money - meaning you're bitched about from now to kingdom come.

Pick a local bar, pick a date and send an email saying there will be informal Christmas drinks there from 7:00pm. That way it makes no odds who shows up and who doesn't.

Answer 2

I jointly organised one in Bristol last xmas. We hired a hall and got a finger buffet done by a seperate company which worked out cheaper. For entertainment we had a cabaret act. We started at 12 and finished at 6 and then whoever had no family commitments went into town. Everyone had to come in fancy dress. Worked out quite resonable at £20 a head. Had little games as well organised by some of the staff. Before everyone left the office we gave them goody bags which contained things like paracetamol, 20p for a phonecall. Card with several cab numbers, party hats and harribo's. Ideally you should start planning xmas do's early late sept so that you get a better choice for venues and you can haggle with the prices more.

Answer 3

Personally I found when I was an office manager of an engineering department to cater for the common denominator. I ended up forgoing all the posh places and just letting them feast up in a fish and chip restaurant then putting the rest of the money in a big kitty and going on a pub crawl until it ran out - they were pleased as punch with it!

Answer 4

How about a themed party for a change organise games and disco but instead of secret Santa get everyone to put money into a kitty and ides in a separate box act on what the majority prefer use the money from he kitty to buy treats for the party saves you time money and you will please the majority instead of minority then your guaranteed a good turn out

Answer 5

the few times i have done it in a store & in a small company, we just did it at the shop. we pretty much potlucked it and did a gift exchange. i wouldn't do pick a name though, i'd make it a game. in my family everyone buys 1 gift with a price limit on it - then we draw numbers to open. you can either open another present or steal someone's who hase already opened one. we normally put a limit on stealing of 5 times. and then, just to really mess with them - have everyone turn to their left and hand it off. we ended up not doing that because everyone was pretty happy with what they got, but it's a fun little twist.

but yeah, we just did it at the store and did a sign up for potluck so everyone didn't bring dessert or whatever - just don't forget to have someone bring cups/plates/utensils/napkins. the easiest way to do a sign up is to make a list and let people sign next to it... put: main dish, dessert... etc. and make sure to let them know it doesn't have to be homemade - no one really cares usually.
the biggest thing to look into - especially if you are part of a corporation is to see if you can have booze (if you wanted to have it available). at the corportation we were not allowed to (most will not let you).
i really wouldn't do it off the worksite because then it's "how do i get there?" and "well i don't want to get off work just to have to go driving somewhere else to see everyone"

Answer 6

How free are you to roam on this one? You could rent a space (such as a dining room in a resteraunt) or if you are limited on financial matters (and co doesn't want to foot the check on this one) pot luck is always the way to go. You could decorate sort of like a winter theme, maybe also add some flare with some good adult party games, of course if this is going to be during work, then you will have to also battle with time. If you want to use your home, you have more freedom with time and themes. I would suggest maybe "Who done it" as a game, sort of like the "murder mystery" where guests have to guess "Who done it" (It is REALLY fun) along with finger foods or pot luck buffet.

Answer 7

The comedy Lounge at Opus at the printworks in Manchester is a fantastic night out-you can also combine it with a meal in the restaurant where the food and service is amazing. They are doing some great shows over xmas-i have beenb four times already (they only opened in march!) and all my office and I are going at xmas. www.opusmanchester.com

Answer 8

buy a rotisserie chicken or turkey breast from deli area buy a family size one soo good and its done for u just heat a min in microwave for extra warmth 6 mins if a few days u wait to serve... make cheese cake and a pot of mashed potatos and one of green beans so u have a dinner type of meal and a dessert yum
or
make it appetizers with dessert
potato skins
mozzerella sticks
cup cakes
cheese cake
dorritos
hot wings
etc.

Answer 9

the usual disco, food etc??
better hurry, lots of places booked up already!

themed party e.g Bond night, Rocky Horror, Grease?

Answer 10

ok. it is hard but easy at the same time.
but like fruts and chips or any other thing that you disaire.
then put like little fried chiken and other thing like that.
then put cakes or sweet thing for last.
But you can still other at B.Y.U cathering.its better and chip.