Throwing a Fab Holiday Party
As a big fan of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, I know that Andy understands what makes a great party. Here are some tips for making your practice’s holiday party a memorable event, while also staying HR compliant.
Plan ahead. Set a date and time that works with the majority of your team members - closing the practice a few hours early and having a happy hour celebration just with them might work best for employees who would rather not get a sitter and go out on a Friday night.
Send an invite or post something in the breakroom for reference. Written details will help keep things running smoothly and avoid awkward mix-ups.
Set a dress code. Even if it seems obvious that axe-throwing and heavy appetizers lean towards casual attire, include that on the invite.
Make it voluntary! While you may want to see everyone outside of the practice and share some laughs with them, others may feel less enthusiastic about group functions or have genuine conflicts. Make it clear that everyone is welcome, but be careful not to create undue pressure with offhand comments about attendance.
Have great food and few drinks. Most practices have learned to avoid an open bar at parties, but just a reminder that even the best team members (or even you) can make poor decisions with just a few drinks. Set an example yourself by limiting your alcohol intake, and encourage anyone who is drinking to have a sober ride home.
Plan (great) activities. Reasons why people avoid holiday parties are to avoid awkward small talk with their coworkers and avoid cringey games or “roasting.” Some ideas for activities include attending a concert or sports event together or a taking a cooking class. If your party is a simple dinner out, consider a Trivia contest about your practice and team. Using some prepared group questions, like these, are also a great way to stimulate conversation:
What is your favorite holiday meal?
What is a favorite podcast, TV show, or book you can share?
What was a favorite moment from this year - personal or work related?
If you could invite one celebrity to dinner, who would it be?
Provide a small gift or note. Some practices use their holiday party as a time to give out bonuses, but we recommend keeping those tied to production throughout the year and giving a small gift, or even a hand-written note with specific appreciation for each team member’s work this past year.
Consider a New Year’s Party. December is a notoriously jam-packed month. Some practices have moved their holiday part to the new year when schedules open up and celebrations can happen with less overall stress.