(non disney) Let's talk about... Office Parties

[enchantingodin]

At our last meeting I was picked (yay me) to plan our Holiday party. I know it's kinda early, but I'd rather get the jump on this and get everything in place asap. The season is starting and the snowbirds are starting to show up. Which means I won't have time to plan too much longer, because I will be WAY too busy.

I have worked in retail until now. So there either wasn't a party, because we didn't have the time or the energy for one. Or it was all day event because there were 200+ people and the break room was set up with food that everyone could have on their 1/2. Honestly I have no idea what a "normal" office does. My co-workers are open to ideas, it could be anything from going out to dinner to going paintballing. Here's a little more background info on us;

The People:
We are a young crowd. Our store manager is in her early 40's, I am the next eldest at 33, and everyone else is mid to late 20's. There are 10 (6 women, 4 men) of us total, not including spouses/partners/dates/whatever the kids are into these days.

Date/Time/Location:
We work for an extended hour open 361 days of the year bank. Our hours are shortest on the weekends, but it still has to be after 4pm. It has also been unanimously voted (more like demanded) to be outside of the office.

The Budget:
$500, supplied mostly by my store manager. Our company gives us $100. (ETA - $50 per person, guests are extra) Since she was so generous to fork over her own money I want to make sure to stretch it as much as possible.



So...
What is your typical office party like?
How much does your company spend per person?
If you could do anything - what would you WANT to do?

 

[wisegal]

Not an office, but our co-op did a Christmas Party at a Bowling Alley. Everyone had a great time and we were a mix of all ages from seniors to children. It was pretty cheap too!

Nicole

 

[marlynnp]

We have a few parties a year. Our holiday out of the office party is also an afternoon of bowling with lunch - pizza, wings, etc. We do this the Wednesday before Thanksgiving - before everyone's schedules get crazy as the holiday gets closer.

Then we pick a day the week before Christmas and have a luncheon in the office for everyone. That's when they get to look in their stockings and get their Christmas bonuses.

 

[phamy76]

Our holiday party.............
Everyone brings a covered dish.
The "main" entree would be paid for by the $100 or so.
There is a sign up sheet.

Aptzrs
drinks
paper supplies
sides
cookies
desserts.


We don't do a gift exchange.

 

[AmandaNied]

Once upon a time, before I was a nurse, I worked at an office suppy company. For our party, we broke up into teams and did a scavenger hunt- collecting different items and clues at each stop. Our boss had contacted a few of our customers to ask if they could leave a box at door with the scavenger hunt items (it was after-hours). We ended up at a condo filled with food and drinks. We had a blast and got some nifty goodies at each stop. We didn't do a gift exchange, but along the 'hunt' we picked up a card from an angel tree and had to shop for a present for them (one angel/group) and had to bring the gift as "admission" to the party at the end.

 

[malibuconlee]

Just so you know for the future, if you are booking a venue, restaurant, etc, many companies book in July to get the date/time they want. We had issues in August getting the dates/times we wanted for DH's office party.

We've always been smallish groups. I used to work with DH and was involved in a lot of the party planning. We've done everything from a murder mystery dinner with our group at one table alongside many other groups, to dinner at a restaurant with all of us around one table, Gameworks with dinner in a private area, separate room at a restaurant, to a ballroom at a local hotel.

I've also heard of doing them at a bowling alley with drinks/food.

Beware...I've had Christmas parties where the bar bill was nearly double the food bill!

A good way to get away from a scary bar bill/the liability for providing too much alcohol is to give out drink tickets to each individual. If they want more it's up to them to buy and decide if they've had too many.

Hope you are able to find something great!

 

[disprincessatheart]

i ran a couple of these in my office a few years back. one year we did jillian's (think dave and busters if you arent' familiar) and everyone loved it. Next year jillians closed so we did a place with mini golf, laser tag and a private party room. Everyone had fun but I think jillians was a bigger deal. I think with a group your size (about 20 to 25 ppl) bowling would be great. We did that one time for some other reason I cant remember anymore. We had about 40 and everyone participated (bowling is fun even if you're bad). at most bowling alleys $500 will cover munchies, bowling, shoes and even some alcohol if you want.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

With a small youngish group, I agree that an activity would be good - something like bowling, laser tag, bocce ball, etc. Maybe even an arcade with more "adult" games like pool, ping pong, air hockey, etc. We have this huge warehouse in our area that's set up like a beach. They have a sand pit for volleyball, a climbing wall, badmiton, etc. You can either have run of the place on your own or have a leader who organizes activities for the group. These types of places are nice because they're all-inclusive with activities, food and drinks.

 

[furb & dez]

At my previous job the Xmas party was required attendance... as the company budgeted about $25,000 for a company of less than 40 persons. They did a formal dinner, open bar, and a white elephant exchange for all employees and their spouses.

At my current job, there is a holiday party but I've never bothered going - I see these people 40 hours a week, and frankly I don't want to spend MY free time associating with them! If you want me to attend, hold it during the work day and give me time away from my job.

 

[prncess674]

Well your budget is pretty small. It sounds like you want to do something after hours that includes a guest for each person. With only $500 and 20 people that is $25 per person. Does someone on your team have a nice home that is beautifully decorated for the holiday? Maybe have catered food and alcohol from the grocery to cut costs. For $25 PP you would probably only get a sit down dinner at a mediocre restaurant (Friday's, Chili's, etc) with a cocktail per person.

Dont forget tax and tip when figuring out your budget.

 

[enchantingodin]

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

Budget is $50 per person. I should have made it clear, sorry it was late, the budget is for us only. It was mutually agreed that if you want to bring someone that will be extra. Most of them are single. Only 2 of us are married, a few have boy/girl friends, but nothing serious. And to be honest I know my hubs wouldn't want to go anyway... I'd guess that there will be only the 10 of us - but that might go up to 15.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just recently got an email from Bahama Breeze that said if you book a party in either Nov or Dec and spend $500, each of the guest you invite get a $10.00 Bahama Breeze gift card. Not sure if there is one located close to you. But it seems like planning would be easy just book a date with the restaraunt and send out an invite.

Here is a sample of the party menu and priceing\

http://www.bahamabreeze.com/pdf/locator/group/BB_GroupEvents_3017.pdf

 

[caaraa]

It sounds like you want to do something after hours that includes a guest for each person

 

[lizabu]

We rent a hall and have dinner and a dj and theres a cash bar but we have a very large group and they work on it all year. For your group I would do a bowling party. I've done them for kids and its about $12 per person. With the extra money you can get extra food, prices and a few pitchers of beer to get everyone started.

 

[mrodgers]

My work also rents a hall, has a DJ, dinner, bar, door prizes, and management all goes while we all work.

But we are at least invited even if we can't go because we are working....

 

[Tinknalli]

In my current job I work for a non-profit hospital. The party includes a conference room decorated for the holidays and they provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and cookies. Santa is there and that's about it. I should add the food is of the meatballs, cocktail franks variety. People stop in on their break. My department is off site so we do a pot luck and yankee swap.

My previous employer went all out. Ballroom at the Sheraton, open bar and apps buffet and then sit down meal (filet mignon etc) followed by a dj and lots of door prizes from flat screen tvs, cash, gift cards etc.

2 ends of the spectrum and honestly I don't prefer one over the other.

 

[enchantingodin]

Today a co-worker and I were joking around today and it kinda hit me... Who doesn't like to laugh? We work in a "serious" industry that is often very stressful. And we all wanted to do something "different" from the traditional office party. So... Why not go see some stand up?

The IMPROV is only about a 20 minute drive from our office. I called and asked if they were doing any specials - turns out they have a package that includes your ticket, a top-shelf cocktail, an appetizer platter (wings, sliders, potato skins, etc), tax and tip for $32 per person.

So not only is it something fun and different - but more importantly it's UNDER budget. My boss and co-workers were all totally thrilled with the idea. YAY!

 

[furb & dez]

Today a co-worker and I were joking around today and it kinda hit me... Who doesn't like to laugh? We work in a "serious" industry that is often very stressful. And we all wanted to do something "different" from the traditional office party. So... Why not go see some stand up?

The IMPROV is only about a 20 minute drive from our office. I called and asked if they were doing any specials - turns out they have a package that includes your ticket, a top-shelf cocktail, an appetizer platter (wings, sliders, potato skins, etc), tax and tip for $32 per person.

So not only is it something fun and different - but more importantly it's UNDER budget. My boss and co-workers were all totally thrilled with the idea. YAY!

You have to be VERY careful with comedy clubs... what some people might consider funny or even innocuous, may completely offend another. A "hostile work environment" suit could easily pop up.

Sad, but true.

 

[enchantingodin]

You have to be VERY careful with comedy clubs... what some people might consider funny or even innocuous, may completely offend another. A "hostile work environment" suit could easily pop up.

Sad, but true.

I mean this with all due respect, but both comments you've made have come across as negative. It sounds like you either don't like your job/co-workers or have had a very bad experience at work. Even still I think your intentions have been good, for which I am appreciative.

That being said, we all want to do something after hours together. I am lucky enough to work in an environment that, as cliche as it sounds, is like a family. Sure we get on each others nerves every now and then. But we are all pretty outspoken and speak up - even yell at times. A functional dysfunction if you will, just like most family dynamics. I also did take the time to speak with everyone individually to gage their reaction, and each thought a comedy club was a great idea. I'm sure we'll have a blast.

 

[furb & dez]

I mean this with all due respect, but both comments you've made have come across as negative. It sounds like you either don't like your job/co-workers or have had a very bad experience at work. Even still I think your intentions have been good, for which I am appreciative.

That being said, we all want to do something after hours together. I am lucky enough to work in an environment that, as cliche as it sounds, is like a family. Sure we get on each others nerves every now and then. But we are all pretty outspoken and speak up - even yell at times. A functional dysfunction if you will, just like most family dynamics. I also did take the time to speak with everyone individually to gage their reaction, and each thought a comedy club was a great idea. I'm sure we'll have a blast.

Heheh I could say that about my last job, sure! But I certifiably love my current job - I'd just rather spend my time with my friends... not my co-workers!!