The Office Party - It Doesn't Need To Be Dreaded!

Be it a Christmas Do, a Retirement Party, or amore formal black tie event, you will probably
summer social event to thank staff for their hardwish to hire a stage, a lighting rig and PA
work or recent sales figures, your get-togetherEquipment for Speeches. A small Awards
should be fun for everyone involved with theCeremony is a nice touch for these occasions;
business.Your Office or workplace may be theprizes don't need to be large or significant, a
cheapest but not necessarily the best venue forbouquet of flowers or luxury hamper for Margery
your event. Consider your staff too - would theythe Cleaner for being in your employment for 20
wish to give up a sunny summers day or a coldyears, pair of cufflinks for Colin who is retiring, a
winters evening to attend a function in the samegift voucher for Cheryl in accounts who is getting
place that they spend most of the days of themarried. You could hire a look-a-like to present
year? Probably not! Works parties should be funsuch awards and gifts, just to add a flourish to
occasions for people to relax after working hard,festivities! Humourous anecdotes from the past
thus your office may not be the best place foryear could be mentioned here, but be careful not
this. If you have many sites dotted around theto cause any offence, for those who should
country a central location is essential to ensuremake a speech but have no idea what to say
that no office feels left out. You may wish tocould invest in the assistance of a professional
book up rooms for your staff, or ask for a smallspeech-writer! You could also use the stage for
donation towards their accommodation, howeveryour Entertainment; hire a magician, hypnotist or
do remember that as a rule, the more moneycomedian to perform a set, as well as getting
you ask for, the less people will wish to attend. Ifsome Live Music on stage for dancing later in the
all sites are within a local vicinity, you should lookevening. There are a wide variety of Musical
into hiring some coaches or mini-buses to safelyEntertainments available; from your classic Disco
transport your guests to and from the party. Forand Karaoke, through to Live Bands such as
smaller parties an entrance in a limousine, with aCeilidh, Jazz, Country & Western, Blues, Tribute
glass or two of champagne, can be a magicaland Original Bands. Whilst your guests are eating,
start to the evening.If there is a Conferenceconsider what will also be happening; will you
Centre, or Suite of Function Rooms in a Hotel orprovide some subtle background music, perhaps a
similar, which you frequently use for meetings,solo vocalist, a harpist or piper? Or would you
seminars or training sessions, do enquire as torather have some entertainers who can mingle
whether you would be able to hire the rooms forwith your guests, for example Caricaturists, Mind
your party. Your employees should be familiarReaders, Magicians or Tarot Readers. Circus
with the location and you may be able to get aPerformers such as Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers and
discount on your next room hire! LocalJugglers could quietly amuse your guests whilst
Restaurants may be able to offer both theirthey are dining and then create an amazing
venue and catering. If you are planning a largedisplay on the main stage later in the
function, you may wish to consider using aevening.Thinking of amazing displays, you should
Temporary Structure such as a Marquee, as theyconsider the decoration of your venue to coincide
are adaptable if you wish to progress from a daywith the theme of your event, for example, if
to evening party, and can be used for anyou are holding a Casino Night, with Black Tie and
assortment of occasions, from an elegant a laBall Gowns as your dress code, your invites and
carte dining area or housing a Las Vegas styleother stationery should be equally as smart with
casino to morphing into a massive dance-floor orclassic crisp decorations, such as black and white
a circus complete with fairground rides! If youballoons, simplistic floral decorations and classy
chose to hire a Marquee, you will need to decide ifice-sculptures. You may wish to have a grand
you need to also hire Portable Toilets, Mobile Barsfinale of a firework or laser display to end the
for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Danceevening in a memorable fashion. If this all seems a
Floors, Stages and Furniture Hire for items suchbit much, you can hire Venue Decorators
as Chairs and Tables.Most Corporate Events arespecifically for these finishing touches.For an
large, well organised affairs. Although this shouldunusual event, why not consider a day out?
be an enjoyable party, don't forget that theThere are many options available to businesses
company is still on show to your Employees.for team building events, or even just a fun day
Imagine the personalities of your staff and try toout Paint-balling, Go-Karting or have a day trip to
achieve an event which is both entertaining andan Amusement Park! Hire a coach, ask your
also upholds any sort of company stature; if thecaterers to make a suitable picnic and let the sun
MD doesn't know the accounts clerk, they mayshine!To remind guests of the reason you are
not feel comfortable seated next to each otherholding the event, you may wish to include your
for a seated dinner. Organised Theme nights suchcompany logo on your invites, and personalise
as a Murder Mystery or Race Nights are goodother items such as balloons and small novelties to
ways of mingling older with younger or junior withgive away in goody bags at your party; if using
senior members of staff without formal seatingyour party as a networking event, you could ask
plans. For smaller businesses or for companies insome clients to 'sponser' or donate goodies
which most staff know each other, lighter styletowards these goody bags. Having some T-shirts
catering, such as a finger buffet, Pig Roast orprinted to give away as prizes in a quiz, or printing
Barbeque, would mean that guests can chat anda personalised mini-magazine for the event can be
mingle whilst they dine. Check with your catererof minimal outlay, but will ensure that your
and venue before hiring further crockery, linens orbusiness is remembered. You may wish to hire a
glasswares. Good ice-breaking games include hiringprofessional photographer, or videographer so
giant inflatables such as a Bouncy Castle or athat you can include the pictures in company
Bungee Run. A Bucking Bronco will always drawnewsletters or other future publications. A dvd of
crowds and laughter, or hire a go-karting track.the event would be a lovely gesture to present
Imagine the joy of knowing you've beaten yourto your guests.PartyPages.co.uk is the UK's
boss! Most Office Party Problems are linked withfavourite online Party Directory, the one stop
over indulging in alcohol, do ensure that yourshop for all your party requirements. After 15
guests know what behaviour is expected ofyears performing as Uncle Wiggy, a prestigious
them, and make them aware if any potentialChildrens Entertainer, Barry is an expert on all
clients will be attending!If you are opting for athings celebratory!