Planning a successful corporate Christmas party requires specific goals and objectives. These goals should be geared towards building up the “team” element of your employees. Corporate Christmas parties are not a free-for-all at the bar, but a chance for employees to relax, mingle and get to know one another all while strengthening working relationships. Achieving this goal is simple by following a few rules when planning and celebrating your corporate Christmas party.
(1) Promote inter-department mingling
Don’t seat those in the same department together. They see each other and work together on a regular basis. Help different department employees meet those in other department, especially those that may overlap in duties. Introduce others and assist in finding common interests. These new connections help diversify the working relationships in your office, as well as bring the office together as a whole.
(2) Limit drinking
An open bar can be an open invitation to disaster. While forcing a drink limit is overkill, implying a limit may be required. A third or fourth drink may help to break the ice, but will certainly help increase cringe-worth moments.
(3) It’s not work.
Don’t turn the Christmas party into a chance to work. This will put a damper on the atmosphere. Ask people about their interests outside of the office. Family, holiday plans and sports are all topics that deemed “suitable” for discussion at a corporate Christmas party. Religion and politics are a no-no in almost any environment, especially a corporate environment.
(4) Remember your position
While it is not suggested to be overly managerial, if you are a supervisor, remember this and respect your subordinates as well as your boss. Anything said or done at a corporate Christmas Party cannot be erased the next working day. Maintaining your professional integrity is vital to maintaining your career.