Fun Christmas work party - ideas?

[tkyes]

Maybe that's an oxymoron to say "fun" and "work party" in the same sentence! lol!

I'm looking for some suggestions or experiences on some successful work parties that you've attended.

We are finally having a real Christmas party here. In the past it's always been in our warehouse, on folding tables, during our lunch break. This year it's going to be on a Saturday night at a local golf club and spouses are invited.

Any themes, favors, small activities that you guys have witnessed that might help make our first "real" party successful?

Thanks!

Tamie

 

[monkeyboy]

Copy Machine........

 

[Bob Slydell]

The best one I've been to (DW's firm) was a casino night.

 

[jennyL]

We have a Christmas Party every year. Normally they are not themed however we do play a game as people are arriving . Kindof liek an ice breaker. A couple of the games that went over really well are Company Bingo. We made Bingo cards the had little squares with things like Has been to all 50 states, plays and instrument, has 4 children etc and people got others to initial one square that applied to them and they could get Bingo. We gave prizes for first Bingo and most squares filled in. People really talked and mingled with this one. Another that was fun was a job game. We have small stickers with jobs on them and everyone got one placed on there backs. Then they asked questions to see if they could figure out what job they were.

Another thing we have done is set up a small photo area as people are arriving. We used the digital camera and took every couples pictures. Then we emailed them to the employee who could print them out. Everyone loved this since they were all dressed up and they actually got a good picture.

Have fun.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

What about one of those murder mystery parties where everyone has to play a part?

I have some links if you are interested.

 

[CamColt]

DH's company's party is always a "holiday" party, held in January, after all the craziness of the season is over. They have it at a local Westin hotel which is gorgeous and most people spend the night there. Of course we go early too and sip cocktails while we hang by the pool/hot tubs/sauna during the afternoon, which is a fun way to start the day too.
As for entertainment at the party they usually just do some raffles and have a dj. One year it was an awful dj, but they never got him again. Last year and 2 years ealier we got lucky and there was a Patriots playoff game that night. They brought in 2 big screen tvs for the game and it was like a big foot ball party.
Unfortunately the rumor is the company has grown too big and they wont be able to have the party at the same place this year, but I hope thats not true. We really look forward to this winter getaway.

 

[tkyes]

Good ideas!

Our maximum guest attendance is probably 100 people. We have around 50 employees. Obviously we won't have 100% turnout.

I'm doing the invitations and we have to note a few things on the invite that I've never done before.

They want me to mention that a cash bar starts at 6:00 and dinner starts at 7:00. I kind of think mentioning the cash bar is a little tacky, but I understand that they want people to know that they need to bring money. Is there a better way to say this?

How about attire - can I say "business casual - no jeans". Normally I would never put "no jeans" but we work in a place where a lot of people don't know what business casual means and would definately wear jeans if we don't mention it.

The party will be in January as well, after the Christmas rush.

 

[jennyL]

We have had both a cash bar and an open bar. Depends on how well the company has been doing that year. I would definetly put it on the invitation so that people don't assume oneway and then cannot have drinks if they so choose.

I do not think No jeans is bad to put on there. We have ours at a country club and it is party wear so we don't have that problem but we have had other events at the same place and jeans are not allowed so we have to state it everytime. We have still had people show up in jeans but the country club could ask them to leave if they wanted to.