| Be it a Christmas Do, a Retirement Party, or a | | | | more formal black tie event, you will probably |
| summer social event to thank staff for their hard | | | | wish to hire a stage, a lighting rig and PA |
| work or recent sales figures, your get-together | | | | Equipment for Speeches. A small Awards |
| should be fun for everyone involved with the | | | | Ceremony is a nice touch for these occasions; |
| business.Your Office or workplace may be the | | | | prizes don't need to be large or significant, a |
| cheapest but not necessarily the best venue for | | | | bouquet of flowers or luxury hamper for Margery |
| your event. Consider your staff too - would they | | | | the Cleaner for being in your employment for 20 |
| wish to give up a sunny summers day or a cold | | | | years, pair of cufflinks for Colin who is retiring, a |
| winters evening to attend a function in the same | | | | gift voucher for Cheryl in accounts who is getting |
| place that they spend most of the days of the | | | | married. You could hire a look-a-like to present |
| year? Probably not! Works parties should be fun | | | | such 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 for | | | | year could be mentioned here, but be careful not |
| this. If you have many sites dotted around the | | | | to cause any offence, for those who should |
| country a central location is essential to ensure | | | | make a speech but have no idea what to say |
| that no office feels left out. You may wish to | | | | could invest in the assistance of a professional |
| book up rooms for your staff, or ask for a small | | | | speech-writer! You could also use the stage for |
| donation towards their accommodation, however | | | | your Entertainment; hire a magician, hypnotist or |
| do remember that as a rule, the more money | | | | comedian to perform a set, as well as getting |
| you ask for, the less people will wish to attend. If | | | | some Live Music on stage for dancing later in the |
| all sites are within a local vicinity, you should look | | | | evening. There are a wide variety of Musical |
| into hiring some coaches or mini-buses to safely | | | | Entertainments available; from your classic Disco |
| transport your guests to and from the party. For | | | | and Karaoke, through to Live Bands such as |
| smaller parties an entrance in a limousine, with a | | | | Ceilidh, Jazz, Country & Western, Blues, Tribute |
| glass or two of champagne, can be a magical | | | | and Original Bands. Whilst your guests are eating, |
| start to the evening.If there is a Conference | | | | consider what will also be happening; will you |
| Centre, or Suite of Function Rooms in a Hotel or | | | | provide 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 to | | | | rather have some entertainers who can mingle |
| whether you would be able to hire the rooms for | | | | with your guests, for example Caricaturists, Mind |
| your party. Your employees should be familiar | | | | Readers, Magicians or Tarot Readers. Circus |
| with the location and you may be able to get a | | | | Performers such as Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers and |
| discount on your next room hire! Local | | | | Jugglers could quietly amuse your guests whilst |
| Restaurants may be able to offer both their | | | | they are dining and then create an amazing |
| venue and catering. If you are planning a large | | | | display on the main stage later in the |
| function, you may wish to consider using a | | | | evening.Thinking of amazing displays, you should |
| Temporary Structure such as a Marquee, as they | | | | consider the decoration of your venue to coincide |
| are adaptable if you wish to progress from a day | | | | with the theme of your event, for example, if |
| to evening party, and can be used for an | | | | you are holding a Casino Night, with Black Tie and |
| assortment of occasions, from an elegant a la | | | | Ball Gowns as your dress code, your invites and |
| carte dining area or housing a Las Vegas style | | | | other stationery should be equally as smart with |
| casino to morphing into a massive dance-floor or | | | | classic crisp decorations, such as black and white |
| a circus complete with fairground rides! If you | | | | balloons, simplistic floral decorations and classy |
| chose to hire a Marquee, you will need to decide if | | | | ice-sculptures. You may wish to have a grand |
| you need to also hire Portable Toilets, Mobile Bars | | | | finale of a firework or laser display to end the |
| for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Dance | | | | evening in a memorable fashion. If this all seems a |
| Floors, Stages and Furniture Hire for items such | | | | bit much, you can hire Venue Decorators |
| as Chairs and Tables.Most Corporate Events are | | | | specifically for these finishing touches.For an |
| large, well organised affairs. Although this should | | | | unusual event, why not consider a day out? |
| be an enjoyable party, don't forget that the | | | | There 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 to | | | | out Paint-balling, Go-Karting or have a day trip to |
| achieve an event which is both entertaining and | | | | an Amusement Park! Hire a coach, ask your |
| also upholds any sort of company stature; if the | | | | caterers to make a suitable picnic and let the sun |
| MD doesn't know the accounts clerk, they may | | | | shine!To remind guests of the reason you are |
| not feel comfortable seated next to each other | | | | holding the event, you may wish to include your |
| for a seated dinner. Organised Theme nights such | | | | company logo on your invites, and personalise |
| as a Murder Mystery or Race Nights are good | | | | other items such as balloons and small novelties to |
| ways of mingling older with younger or junior with | | | | give away in goody bags at your party; if using |
| senior members of staff without formal seating | | | | your party as a networking event, you could ask |
| plans. For smaller businesses or for companies in | | | | some clients to 'sponser' or donate goodies |
| which most staff know each other, lighter style | | | | towards these goody bags. Having some T-shirts |
| catering, such as a finger buffet, Pig Roast or | | | | printed to give away as prizes in a quiz, or printing |
| Barbeque, would mean that guests can chat and | | | | a personalised mini-magazine for the event can be |
| mingle whilst they dine. Check with your caterer | | | | of minimal outlay, but will ensure that your |
| and venue before hiring further crockery, linens or | | | | business is remembered. You may wish to hire a |
| glasswares. Good ice-breaking games include hiring | | | | professional photographer, or videographer so |
| giant inflatables such as a Bouncy Castle or a | | | | that you can include the pictures in company |
| Bungee Run. A Bucking Bronco will always draw | | | | newsletters 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 your | | | | to your guests.PartyPages.co.uk is the UK's |
| boss! Most Office Party Problems are linked with | | | | favourite online Party Directory, the one stop |
| over indulging in alcohol, do ensure that your | | | | shop for all your party requirements. After 15 |
| guests know what behaviour is expected of | | | | years performing as Uncle Wiggy, a prestigious |
| them, and make them aware if any potential | | | | Childrens Entertainer, Barry is an expert on all |
| clients will be attending!If you are opting for a | | | | things celebratory! |