The office holiday party is a tradition in which many companies take part to celebrate the season and bring everyone together. It can be a fun event, but it can also take time to plan. That’s why we’ve gathered 4 amazing office holiday party ideas to help you create an unforgettable celebration. Read on if you’re looking for ideas to make your party stand out!
1) Coordinate a Team-Building Charity Drive
Coordinating a team-building charity drive is a great way to bring your team together while giving back to the community. However, there are a few things to remember when organizing such an event:
Choose a charity that aligns with your company’s values. This will ensure that everyone is on board with the cause.
Set a realistic goal for how much money you’d like to raise. This will help to focus your team’s efforts.
Promote the event through social media and other channels. This will generate excitement and encourage people to donate.
2) Plan a North Pole Potluck
A North Pole potluck is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer in the office! To get started, invite your colleagues to bring their favorite holiday dish to share. And, if you want to add a festive touch, ask everyone to wear their favorite holiday sweater or accessory.
When eating, set the dishes on a long table and let everyone fill their plates. And for dessert, why not make a North Pole-themed cake or cookies?
This fun and festive potluck will get everyone in the holiday spirit!
3) Host a Happy Holidays Happy Hour
Hosting a happy hour is a great way to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work throughout the year. Not only will they enjoy some festive drinks and appetizers, but they’ll also have a chance to mingle and get to know each other outside the office.
To make sure your holiday party is a hit, choose a convenient location that is easy for everyone to get to. You may also want to consider hiring a professional bartending service to help keep things running smoothly.
4) Have a Game Night
This is an amazing office holiday party idea because it will get everyone involved and interacting with each other. It will also be a lot of fun!
You can either have someone bring in their board games, or you can purchase some for the office. Just make sure to have various games so everyone can find something they enjoy.
You’ll also want to have some snacks and drinks available so people can refuel during the game night. This is sure to be a hit with everyone in the office.
The Bottom Line
That’s all for now! We hope you found these office holiday party ideas helpful and that your 2022 festivities are a roaring success. Thanks for reading, and happy holidays!
Looking to give your staff an awesome office snack and beverage program this holiday season? We’ve got you covered! Click here to get in touch with a member of the Office Libations team today.
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If you’re looking for an easy way to throw an office party, hosting a potluck lunch is the way to go! Not only does this type of party take minimal effort on your part, but it’s also a great excuse to mingle with your coworkers. In fact, it’s practically a team-building exercise! To make sure your party goes off without a hitch, we’re going to go over 3 easy tips for throwing a successful potluck lunch. Let’s get started!
Tip #1: Make a Master List of Dishes
The first step to throwing a pot luck lunch is to make a master list of dishes. This way, you can keep track of what everyone is bringing and make sure there’s a good variety of food. Consider sending out an email ahead of time and asking people to reply with their dishes, or simply post a sign-up sheet in the break room.
If you really want to ensure that there’s enough variety at your potluck, you may even consider having people sign up to bring certain kinds of dishes. For example, you could ask for two people to bring main dishes, three people to bring side dishes, and two people to bring desserts. This way, you’ll have a nice balance of food for everyone to enjoy.
Tip #2 Delegate, Delegate, Delegate!
Once you have your list of dishes, it’s time to start delegating. There’s no reason for you to be doing everything on your own! The whole point of hosting a potluck is sharing the responsibility with others (besides, a few coworkers may be interested in a distraction from their regular work!) Assign someone to be in charge of drinks, another person to be in charge of setting up the food, and so on. This will help to make your potluck run smoothly and take some of the stress off of your plate.
Tip #3: Come Up with Some Fun Activities
Last but not least, don’t forget to come up with some fun activities to keep everyone engaged and entertained. After all, a potluck is supposed to be a party! There’s no reason that you can’t enjoy some delicious food together and have a good time. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas for some office-friendly games and activities:
photo booth
scavenger hunt
trivia game
guessing game
charades
Whatever you do, just make sure it’s something that will get everyone in the office involved and having fun. While you’re at it, this would be a great excuse to sneak in some actual team-building exercises!
Enjoy!
Hosting a potluck lunch is a great way to throw an office party with minimal effort. Just make sure you have a plan in place and delegate some of the responsibility to others. And don’t forget to come up with some fun activities to keep everyone entertained! With these tips in mind, you’re sure to throw a successful potluck lunch that everyone will enjoy. Have fun!
Want to make sure your employees have access to delicious food and beverages everyday? Contact Office Libations today to see how we can help!
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If you’re looking to host a get-together at work, then it’s hard to go wrong with a good old fashioned potluck! The potluck lunch is a great way to get to know your colleagues better and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time. But if you want to make sure that your potluck goes off without a hitch, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this blog post, we will outline the steps you need to take to host the perfect potluck lunch at work!
Step 1: Create a Guest List
The first step is to come up with a guest list. You need to make sure that you invite enough people so that there is enough food to go around, but not too many people that the space becomes overcrowded. Once you have your guest list, send out invitations via email or on a work messaging system.
In your email, be sure to include the date, time, and place of the potluck so there’s no confusion. You may also want to ask people to let you know about any dietary restrictions. This way, you can help make sure there are at least a few options suitable for everyone.
Step 2: Create a Sign-Up Sheet
The next step is to create a sign-up sheet so that people can let you know what they are going to bring. This is important because you don’t want five different people bringing lasagna! The sign-up sheet can be as simple as a Google Doc or Excel spreadsheet – just make sure everyone knows about it!
If you do find that some people have dietary restrictions, you should consider including this information on your sign-up sheet (you don’t have to name names, of course). This gives people the opportunity to take note of this when deciding on their dishes.
Step 3: Set Up the Space
Now it’s time to start thinking about the space where you will be hosting the potluck. If you have a large conference room or kitchen, that’s great! But if not, don’t worry – any space can be turned into a potluck-friendly zone with a little bit of creativity. The most important thing is to make sure that there is enough space for people to move around and plenty of tables or countertops for the food.
Step 4: Prepare the Food
Now it’s time to start thinking about the food! If you’re not sure what to make, there are plenty of great potluck recipes online. Just make sure to take into account any dietary restrictions that your guests may have. Once you’ve decided on what to make, it’s time to start cooking!
Step 5: Enjoy the Potluck!
The final step is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the pot luck lunch with your colleagues. Be sure to take the time to try a little bit of everything – you never know, you might just find your new favourite dish!
Final Thoughts
Hosting a potluck lunch at work is a great way to build relationships with your colleagues and enjoy a delicious meal. Just be sure to follow the steps outlined in this blog post to make sure that your perfect potluck lunch goes off without a hitch!
Looking to provide your employees with food and drinks at the office? Contact Office Libations today to inquire about our pantry services!
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So, it’s almost time to plan the annual office Christmas party again, but you still don’t have all of your employees back at the office. Sure, some of them are still working from home, but that doesn’t really make planning the traditional Christmas party any easier. How are you supposed to get everyone together for a party when they’re all so far apart?
That’s easy – throw out the idea of the traditional Christmas party! Your remote and in-person employees don’t have to physically be in the same room in order to kick back, celebrate, and enjoy some time together. They can still get to know each other and collaborate together through video conferencing – as long as you provide the fun and inspiring activities, of course.
To help inspire you, here are 3 of our favorite Christmas party ideas for hybrid staff.
Christmas Team Challenge Party
Does your staff enjoy group activities mixed with a healthy dose of competition? Then you should consider throwing a Christmas Team Challenge party!
Simply divide your staff into teams, whether they are in-person or online, have them come up with a festive team name, and get them compete in a variety of team-based challenges. If you want to do a Christmas theme, you could try activities such as:
Christmas Photo Scavenger Hunt – come up with a list of Christmas-themed photos and have each team try to find all of them as fast as possible, using old or new pictures. You can set a time limit or play the game live over video conferencing, or even spread it out over a few days and have everyone upload their pictures online.
Christmas Trivia – come up with some questions about Christmas carols, movies, traditions, etc. and assign points to the teams with correct answers. Consider using video conferencing breakout rooms for each team so they can privately discuss their answers.
The team with the most points at the end wins!
Christmas Happy Hour
This is basically a virtual cocktail party, where coworkers can come together via video conferencing to mingle and have a few drinks. You can bring in a bartender to mix drinks for those in the office, and for those at home you could always send them a bottle of something or a holiday drink kit.
You can then just let everyone chat together or come up with some fun drinking games. Be careful though – you don’t want anyone getting a little too tipsy and spilling drinks on their keyboards!
Host an Awards Show
If you want to do something for everyone at the end of the year that isn’t specifically Christmas-themed, then this may be the perfect time to host an awards show featuring everyone at your office. Come up with a list of serious and fun categories and let everyone in the office vote on the winners. You could even assign people to be presenters, have special trophies made, and implement a strict dress code. Creating an entire awards show may seem like a lot of work for the host, but it is truly one of the best ways to celebrate your staff and their achievements throughout the year.
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It can be challenging to let go of a good employee who was fully dedicated to the company’s growth. But, you can’t let them go unceremoniously. Putting together a farewell party for them is a way to show them your appreciation and wish them well on their next steps.
Below are 3 farewell ideas for an employee sendoff party and a few tips for putting together the sendoff party.
Employee Sendoff Party Ideas
Fun Games Sendoff Party
Games are fun, entertaining, and engaging. They are an opportunity for the employee who is leaving to interact relaxedly with other employees and bosses. They also help to build relationships among the employees left behind.
Gaming options for the party are unlimited, ranging from trivia, casino night, card games, board games, scavenger hunt, escape room, solving murder mysteries, video games, etc.
You could line up different games within the sendoff party or have a themed party around one game. Depending on your budget, the party does not have to be done at the office – you can explore outdoor options or a virtual game night (or afternoon).
Potluck Sendoff Party
If you have a small, intimate team where everyone knows the employee leaving, a potluck party is a great idea for the sendoff party. Notify the others employees about the potluck party and let them sign up with the food they will bring.
You may theme the potluck party, e.g., experience the different cuisines, vegetarian, go-green, barbeque, salad potluck, take out, high tea, etc. You can also choose to have the potluck as brunch, lunch, or dinner.
As you sit down to eat, pay your tribute to the employee leaving and have them give their farewell speech. You could also incorporate simple and short fun activities such as trivia.
Karaoke
Music is celebratory, fun, and engaging. You could plan a karaoke or lip-syncing afternoon or evening. It is casual and an opportunity for employees’ personalities and talents to shine through. It will quite literally give each person a chance to be heard. You could have the employees give their farewell remarks in the form of a song or after they have sung.
Tips for Putting Together a Great Sendoff Party for Your Employees
Mobilize other employees. Let them take charge of the party planning and execution. Those who have worked with the employee who is leaving know them better and could personalize the party accordingly.
Have a session to reminisce fond memories with the employee. A farewell party is not complete if you do not take time to celebrate the moments spent with the employee.
It doesn’t have to be a surprise party. The employee may be overwhelmed with handing over procedures, packing, and preparations for a new job. Therefore, it is best to let them in on the plans for a farewell party so that they can schedule time for it.
A sendoff party for an employee is an opportunity to thank the employee who is leaving as you plan how to move forward. It also communicates to other employees that you value them and the effort they put towards the company’s growth.
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There are so many ways to make merry around the holidays — sharing a batch of holiday cocktails with new and old acquaintances is one that’s pretty high on our list. For a lot of us, it’s hard to fathom the thought of an office party without a little liquid courage.
However, it can be an overwhelming experience for those who don’t drink booze. While alcohol can be a very popular party component, it can also leave some guests feeling disappointed or even left out. Reasons may be pregnancy, health, religion, addiction recovery, or maybe they just don’t drink — just to name a few.
So, whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or an office party, it’s always nice to have a few non-alcoholic holiday drink options on hand during the season. Just because you don’t drink, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out!
We think the non-drinkers among us also deserve holiday drinks as festive and delicious as any alcoholic cocktails that most of us enjoy. With these special booze-free drinks, teetotalers can sip on a delicious adult beverage without feeling like they’re missing out!
This is a great recipe for a crowd of people for an office party. Non-drinkers will surely enjoy this festive punch.
To make this: Combine the Cranberry juice, Ginger Ale in a large punch bowl. Add the frozen cranberries, orange slices, and ice. Garnish with a small orange slice on the rim of the glass and fresh rosemary. If you feel you want more fruit flavor, just add a few pieces of fruit to the punch, just don’t take away from the hero of this recipe, the cranberry!
This fizzy drink might be just the thing to serve to your favorite team members this holiday. It has rich colors—thanks to blueberries and raspberries—and comes together with ginger beer, honey, and fresh mint or basil.
To make this: Just simmer some honey and blueberries together until the berries were bursting. Then smash them with some fresh raspberries as well as kombucha to mix everything up. Pour it over crushed ice and topped it with vanilla seltzer and throw in some fresh basil and mint
The flavor is incredible because there is a richness from the simmered berries and the soda makes it seem super bubbly to the point where people will actually think it is a cocktail.
This lemon blackberry mocktail is a refreshing and tangy drink for when you want a non-alcoholic option that tastes just as good! This mocktail is made by making a blackberry and lemon puree with seltzer and mint.
Just combine blackberries, lemon juice, and honey with a splash of ginger ale in shaker and muddle, then fill with ice. You can also garnish with additional blackberries or lemon wedges if you like.
This non-alcoholic spirit alternative from Seedlip is made like a gin with botanicals but is definitely not a gin. The predominant flavor is clove rather than juniper, and most importantly, it has NO alcohol! Perfect for our non-alcoholic employees, especially those designated drivers.
Combine six botanicals to make Seedlip: allspice, grapefruit, lemon peel, cardamom, American oak, and cascarilla bark. Together, they make a fresh, warming drink that is full of flavor but is alcohol-free.
While apples are great in pies and cobblers, they are also great in drinks! This mocktail is a showstopping nonalcoholic drink recipe for kids and adults to enjoy.
It’s a sweet treat made with homemade caramel sauce, cold apple cider, and sparkling ginger beer. The decorated rim of caramel and sugar with the cinnamon stick garnish makes this autumn party drink perfect for your office holidays.
With just a few ingredients, a little bit of heat, and a snazzy glass, the Cocoa Mock-Tini Mocktail is one of the most attractive drinks your teetotaler employees will enjoy! Especially the chocolate lovers!
To make this: Combine almond milk or cream, cocoa, vanilla, ground cinnamon and salt and heat on medium until well combined. In a shaker or tall glass, add cocoa or flavored syrups for mocktail version over ice and shake until cold.
This Christmas white Russian mocktail is a family favorite that is easy to make and so delicious! This can also be a great option for an alcohol-free party drink in your office. The white drink itself is reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.
The instruction is quite simple: Just skewer two cranberries on the end of a rosemary sprig and place in glasses. Then combine cream, whole milk, cranberry Dry Sparkling soda, and coffee-flavored syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice. The addition of the cranberry Dry Sparkling soda just ups the festive flavors that make this a true holiday mocktail.
Rich, creamy, buttery, and loaded with spices, Hot Buttered Rum is an unforgettable drink that’s perfect for any cold-weather occasions. This non-alcoholic hot buttered spice drink is Hot Buttered Rum‘s tamer sister.
To make this: Cream together butter, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and rum flavoring. Blend in softened ice cream, seal, and freeze. Then garnish with a cinnamon stick. Perfect to pair it with cookies or some holiday treats!
If you’re a fan of ginger beer, you’re sure to love this drink! Crisp, cool, and refreshing – this mocktail is a non-alcoholic version of a classic Moscow Mule! This mocktail version has club soda instead of vodka, and it’s totally spicy, tasty and delicious.
Mix ginger beer, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Then garnish with a slice of lime and a small slice of ginger and sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar. Because this Moscow mule is alcohol-free it’s perfect for pregnant mommies, kids, designated drivers, or anyone who just doesn’t want to drink alcohol.
This non-alcoholic eggnog is the perfect holiday drink to enjoy with your employees and their families. Eggnog is like a winter-specific milkshake. Just without the ice cream.
It’s typically concocted of eggs, cream, milk, and sugar to give it a sweet sip similar to a custard that’s the base of ice cream. It can be served cold or warm and your guests probably guzzle it down a minute after it’s set on the table.
To make this: Mix egg whites, egg yolks, sugar, salt, cups of milk, vanilla extract, and whipped heavy cream for this holiday standard! Serve eggnog in chilled cups or glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
This lovely little drink is the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors. It can be made with three ingredients: tonic water, pomegranate juice and sugar. All of these should be mixed according to taste and volume.
Because of its bright shade of red, it would be a great addition to your buffet line. You can also add lime, mint, and club soda, and then served in highball glasses.
This holiday drink looks and tastes perfect which will be an absolute delight for your employees. And to top it off, you do not need any fancy ingredients to prepare this beverage. Vanilla syrup, passion fruit, grapefruit, club soda, and ice will do the magic.
To make this: Combine vanilla syrup, passion-fruit puree, grapefruit juice, and cream in a cocktail shaker over ice. Pour club soda into a highball glass, then slowly strain the contents of the cocktail shaker over the club soda, allowing the head of foam to rise above the rim of the glass.
13. Shirley Temple
Image source: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
If you’re organizing an office party that includes family members, you cannot ignore the kids at your party. Before they get curious about the adults’ drinks and become adamant about trying them serve Shirley Temple. This luscious beverage with bright colors will definitely captivate the young crowd. it’s a surefire way to get a big, pink grin out of the little kid you adore.
To make this: Fill a Hurricane or Collins glass with ice and add grenadine. Fill with ginger ale, 7UP or Sprite. Then stir, and garnish with a maraschino cherry and lemon wedge. You can also top the glass off with the lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
Like Shirley Temple, a Roy Rogers is another non-alcoholic soda drink that kids and adults love. A Roy Rogers uses cola—which usually has caffeine—in place of the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, but it keeps the grenadine and the cherries.
Though it’s sometimes called a cherry cola, the Roy Rogers is not cherry flavored. With a few exceptions, grenadine is made from pomegranate—not cherries. This fruity syrup does add a nice sweetness to the average cola and there are a few things you can do to make the drink just a little bit better.
To make this: Combine Coca Cola, ice cubes, grenadine, and maraschino cherries with a stem. Then pour in grenadine syrup and add a maraschino cherry with a stem as your garnish.
This drink is a crowd favorite not just for its spot-on flavors, but also because it’s a coffee drink that anyone can sip in the afternoon! Given that you can adjust the amount of coffee way down and the amount of seltzer and coconut milk way up, this is the perfect way to liven up your party.
To make this: Combine the chocolate syrup and coconut milk in the bottom of a tall glass and stir until evenly combined. Add ice to the top of the glass, top with the coffee, and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange and top with club soda or seltzer water to your liking.
This drink will surely make a bold statement when it’s served because no one will be expecting that bright orange shade on your platter. It comes together with peeled and chopped carrots, ginger, lemon, and maple syrup, and it’s best served with large cubes of ice.
Combine the chopped lemon, carrots, ginger, and water. Blend on high for a full minute or until the mixture is completely liquified. Then run the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing the pulp into the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the strained liquid back to the blender. Then add your liquid sweetener of choice to the liquid and blend on high for 20 seconds. Check the lemonade for sweetness, and adjust if necessary.
This one is also a perfect non-alcoholic holiday drink! It makes a fresh batch with honeycrisp and granny smith apples, pomegranate, orange, and cinnamon sticks. Serve it all in copper glasses to really make it feel special.
This is a very simple recipe. Just stir the apple cider, bourbon, and maple syrup together in a cocktail pitcher. Pour over ice in a highball glass and add a splash of ginger beer to each glass. Then garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices if desired.
There You Have It
Sometimes we lose sight of a holiday celebration and see it as a chance or opportunity to drink socially. While it is such an opportunity, the main purpose of an office holiday party is to have fun with your employees and colleagues.
Drinking is always an option and optional, and it is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility. So if you’re planning on hosting a party this season, remember to give your teetotaler guests some festive booze-free alternatives to cure their “Am I the only one who doesn’t drink?” feeling. It’s a good way to make sure that everybody can enjoy it and no one will be left out.
For those who aren’t imbibing, having something to sip besides water can make any and all holiday parties a whole lot more fun. Plus, these non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes will add a delicious touch to your most awaited holiday party!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Image-from-iOS-73.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-12-17 05:50:142022-07-21 18:29:47The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks For The Holiday Office Parties
We love holiday parties! Not only because they are filled with joy, but also because they welcome our touch of magic. From food to décor, there’s something magical about hosting a hit holiday office party, especially when it brings your employees closer together.
Still, there’s a lot that goes into throwing a festive fête, especially if you plan on hosting a large crowd. We know how much of a challenge you might face in coming up with an exciting company party idea. It’s gotta be the one that everyone at your office will enjoy! It is important to throw a successful company holiday party to boost morale at the end of a long year and to show appreciation for your employees.
So, if you’re looking for a few fun office holiday party ideas, we’ll make it easy for you! In this article, we’ll give you 15 of our favorites that will take your party from meh to amazing!
But before you move forward with your party planning activities, remember to utilize the tips from our previous article to streamline the process from beginning to end: How To Throw An Office Party Your Employees Will Love
Holiday party ideas that include entertainment give your team a chance to share a delightful experience that’s likely to last longer than the event itself. Some can be pricey, like bringing professional entertainers such as a local band or an acrobat troupe to your event.
Entertainers often lift the spirit of an audience, so if you have the budget this year, this might be a fun option! A short performance by a comedian or musician is enough to play to the crowd without annoying those who aren’t interested.
It may sound cheesy, but it’s a surprisingly fun change of pace. Too silly for your team? A storyteller or an inspiring speaker is also great option. Nonetheless, team members will take photos, sharing the opportunity to see a performance they might not have planned on their own.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to book any entertainment, do it well ahead of time, so you don’t have to scramble to find someone a week before the event.
If budget is a factor, this is a holiday party theme near and dear to the crafter’s heart. Get into the holiday spirit with a no-fuss crafting party. Set up a few tables with crafts store goodies and supplies, and let your team make whatever they desire. Create a playlist with your favorite holiday tunes to play in the background to get everyone in the seasonal mood.
Even if your office isn’t typically “creative,” working on simple crafts is a great way for your staff to unwind and have some relaxed, low-stakes fun. There are so many holiday-themed crafts you can create such as:
Non-traditional Christmas tree
Ugly sweater competition
Ornament Crafting
Salt Dough Crafting
Cookie and cupcake decoration
Gingerbread house building
Decorating Wreaths
Gift-wrapping extravaganza
Obviously it’s not hard to get into a jolly mood when there are fun activities happening and Holiday songs blasting through the speakers. All the same, it doesn’t hurt to have a few holiday experimentation.
More and more businesses are realizing how important it is to include employees’ families when celebrating a year’s good work. You should too! Doing this speaks volumes about you as an office manager. It shows that you see your staff as more than just employees. It sends a clear message to them – that you’re willing to invest time and effort to ensure that they remain contented and happy in your organization.
So make your holiday office party be suitable for all the family, young and old. Give your team members the chance to bring their family along for the day, and while there, they can enjoy food, special activities, socializing and some relaxation from work. Use corporate entertainment that lifts their spirits. The best events will touch their hearts and captive their minds!
As coworkers get together to decorate and plan, this small company holiday party turns into several days of fun.
As an event planner, however, you need to account for everything. Make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises in your budget by having a thorough budget from day one. Remember to ask for packages or bundles of services from your suppliers/ catering services to deliver more bang for your buck!
Ultimately, deciding what sort of fun holiday you want to host depends on the needs of your staff, and your business. It might be a good idea to do a bit of homework. Find out how old your employees’ children are. Think about what events would appeal to that age range. What could you include for the wives and husbands? What about your staff – what do they like doing?
Cocktails are inherently social drinks. So, put a twist on an old staple happy hour! Why not throw a holiday cocktail competition? This is one of the more adults-only holiday party ideas is for employees to come up with a unique holiday-themed hot or cold drink beverage recipe.
Take your employees’ competitive side to the next, boozy level. The allure of this friendly competition is obvious: A win can mean prize money or gift! As the host, your task is to provide multiple drinking glasses in all styles, blenders, ice stirrers, and cocktail napkins. Then, when the beverages are assembled, take photos, and drink.
To make this party idea more awesome and hassle-free, get your office holiday party catered by a beverage caterer! Hiring them will help you plan out your holiday party. They could also be the ones who can choose the winner of your mini-competition and take care of the rest of the cocktail party so you don’t have to lift a finger!
Most employees have been to parties that include an onsite gift exchange or Secret Santa. Another alternative to these holiday party ideas is to play games!
Party games aren’t just for kids! Plan some activities to help your employees to loosen up and get to know each other. Activities that require working together are especially great for building a sense of team spirit. Here are some ideas you can try:
Holiday charades
Guess the holiday song
Christmas Carol Pictionary
Holiday memory game
Family feud
Solving the Mystery
Classic board games
Office photo hunt game
Secret Santa
Gift Relay
People bingo
Escape room
Gift wrapping contest
Team building games are perfect for the spirit of the holidays; It will liven up the office atmosphere. As the host, your job is to organize these games and provide prizes to the winners and small gifts to all who participated so that no one leaves the party disappointed.
Remember that holiday office party games should be appropriate and simple, as well as brief since most office parties only last a few hours. You should play a game that isn’t too competitive and doesn’t require extensive holiday party props. You should also consider the personality of your office and be mindful of different religious and cultural practices.
6. Host a Multicultural Trivia Night
In order to honor the diverse range of ways people celebrate the holidays, host a multicultural holiday trivia night. In this way, the entire room will be enjoying a fun shared experience, however, the teams themselves – usually groups of 5-10 people – will have a particularly unique opportunity to bond.
Whether they win or lose, they will be collaborating, laughing, and competing together for the duration of the event, getting to know one another in a way that they never could in the workplace.
As such, you as the organizer have a wonderful opportunity to give some thought in advance to who is on which team, and why. This is a great idea to strengthen the bonds among your staff and to get them talking with folks whom they wouldn’t normally cross paths with on any given workday.
You can write your own random trivia questions. However, this is very time-consuming, and a lot harder than it looks. So we suggest finding downloadable trivia questions for an office party, which have been fact-checked and are ready to go.
You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time, effort, or expense securing prizes for an office event. People are naturally competitive, and just want to win rather than take home something expensive. Your best bet is to get something tangible that your team can proudly display in their workspace to serve as a fun reminder of an epic party!
7. Volunteer Together & Spread the Gift of Goodwill
To truly get into the holiday spirit, use your office holiday party as an opportunity to give back to your community. Rather than a traditional party, invite your team members to spend an afternoon or evening volunteering at a local charity.
Or instead of swapping gifts with each other, ask everyone to make a small donation to the charity of their choice, bring in toys for a local toy drive, or ask everyone to make doubles of their potluck dishes and deliver the extra portions to your local soup kitchen.
This activity is a wonderful way to work together as a team while giving back to your community. This is a holiday get-together that won’t soon be forgotten!
You already know the drill during the holiday party circuit: ugly Christmas sweater shindigs and Secret Santa gift exchanges. But have you ever thought to channel your holiday cheer into more creative outlets?
To really go in on the holiday vibes, theme your entire party around a specific era or set a dress code, soundtrack, and snacks to match. Because other than comfort, the holidays are all about doing something different and unusual.
As a fun addition to your standard holiday party, you can consider these themed party ideas:
Classic ugly sweater
Masquerade party
Pajama party
Go glam party
Winter wonderland party
Holiday costume party
Merry movie-themed party
Old era costume party
This office holiday party idea is sure to get everyone’s creativity flowing. You can pick about anything as your theme. Just make sure it won’t raise any eyebrows in your staff or in HR. The best way to plan this is to ask your employees ahead of time and give them a chance to prepare and dress up the way they want!
Keeping your party casual this year? Consider having a potluck so your crew can show off their cooking or baking skills. Potlucks are budget-friendly, and there is always a wide variety of delicious foods for everyone to sample.
Further, it is a chance for people to show off their culinary or baking chops. As a host, it is your task to organize a simple holiday party by allowing employees to taste your coworkers’ wares and chat about anything other than work. Easy, relaxing, and delicious! Keep things organized by creating a sign-up sheet for the whole office, so you know who’s bringing what.
Another fun spin on the potluck idea is to hold a dessert potluck. Have your main snacks and drinks catered, and ask your employees to bring in their favorite sweet treats. Or if your team like a little healthy competition, you can even turn it into a friendly competition–Have employees volunteer to bake their favorite treat, and host an epic bake-off. And of course, all of this is for their chance to win exciting holiday gifts!
In the United States, the holiday season is often the time when healthy habits suffer. As we make our way through the holidays, why not encourage your employees to participate in fitness activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and others?
You can also organize a holiday health fest where you can all take a break from the cakes, cookies, and goodies you encounter at every other seasonal gathering. Instead, turn your holiday office party into a celebration of fitness and fun!
Have everyone prepare their favorite healthy-based treat or dish and pick a fitness class, or get a yoga instructor to entertain employees and/or family members for a mindful and meaningful hour of fun!
For a fun, different, and low-cost office holiday party idea, organize a gag gift exchange! These Christmas gifts for men and women are given for comedic effect to make the recipient laugh. Although, take note that gag gifts come in wide varieties, as nobody has the same taste in humor.
The good part about these gifts is that they make for the best inexpensive presents—and they’ll have everyone on the list cracking up. Unwrap these hilarious gifts one by one with the presence of liquors and you’ve got your team a winning combination!
However, it is safe to advise your employees to keep it clean, classy, and fun, so you won’t have to worry about overstepping any boundaries. Remember that the goal here is to have a fun party experience and a smile on your employees’ faces.
Another fun idea is to give your employees a chance to shine by holding an office talent show at your holiday party. You’ll be surprised at the secret talent your employees keep hidden. You can hold this one at your office, or up the ante by renting out a local bar with a stage.
As a host, the biggest challenge is to boost your employees’ participation as your employees might be too shy or think volunteering would make them seem arrogant. You can overcome this by making the prize more enticing or making this a group effort instead of a solo effort! Or if you have the budget, bring in some filler acts to heighten the sense of ceremony at your talent show.
This kind of holiday party will give your employees an opportunity to share their talents, enjoy laughs and build their team spirit. Every office has gifted individuals whose talents will create a buzz of anticipation until next year’s talent show.
In every group, you’ll find someone who loves to sing karaoke. From your shyest staff to your diva-est employee, no one will resist the sweet siren song of the karaoke mic! Trust us, there won’t be any time for feuds over office politics while everyone is happily singing their hearts out!
So rent a karaoke machine for your office or head to a local karaoke bar for a low-key evening of non-stop laughs.
If you want to switch things up from your standard holiday party, consider using the time on a holiday 5K race. Instead of buying decorations and treats, you can fund everyone’s registration fees and maybe even supply some holiday accessories to make any 5K you can find into one that’s suitable for your holiday celebration…
The whole workforce can take part and make it a real joint effort, getting some quality team-time in as well as some exercise too. They can dress up in festive costumes for the holiday, or choose a run that has a charitable cause.
Aside from the clear physical benefits, it is a great opportunity for your team to get to know one another. It’s quality time spent with your team, so there are benefits to be had all-round!
15. Hire Snacks and Beverage Caterer
What’s an office holiday party without food and drink? Whatever your activities will be, foods and drinks will bring some memorable spiciness to your holiday office party.
Holiday food is synonymous with “feast.” So skip the hassle and stress of planning the perfect holiday party by calling over some of your favorite local food trucks or snack/beverage caterers to bring the feast to you.
We get it — events are fun but planning exciting parties that keep your team happy is hard. So we suggest working with food and beverage caterers who understand the modern office and what it takes to deliver for your team.
The best part about this is that your caterer can help you plan, bring all the ingredients, and set up for you!
Are You Inspired to Throw a Great Holiday Party This Year?
The holidays are largely a time of giving: giving back to the community as well as giving to your employees.
Whatever your budget, company culture, and employees are like, there’s a holiday party idea out there that’s perfect for your team. Use this article as a starting point to spark your creativity. Although your previous company holiday parties might not have been something to boast about, you can change that this year!
Still not sure what kind of party you should throw? Poll your employees! They’ll appreciate that you care about their opinions, and they’ll enjoy the party more if they get to have some say in what happens.
Don’t forget, the best gift of the season is spending quality time with others. Foster a sense of goodwill and friendship at your office party, and it will be sure to be a memorable one.
This is just a quick list we came up with. Hopefully, that helps you in your search for the perfect activity for your office. If you have any other ideas, comment below!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
Tired of the same old same old stale office parties? Let us take your office event game to the next level!
Say “hi” and one of our awesome team members will contact you ASAP.
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Hey Office Manager, this is your beginners guide to wine! 🍷
Picture this. You’re in the office, the day’s done, and you’re celebrating your boss’s 50th birthday with the rest of the crew from the office.
It’s a momentous occasion so naturally, they bring out only the best: a 15-year-old bottle of Nebbiolo.
Note: Nebbiolo is basically a fancy Italian red wine.
You go to pick up your glass of wine only to realize…YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WINE!
Ok, that’s probably not your first thought. Who cares about wine as long as it tastes good… right? 🤷♀️
Except, wouldn’t it be great to be able to impress people with your wine knowledge? To be the wine connoisseur of the office or the resident wine snob, and wow everyone with your knowledge from winemaking to weird fun facts. Here’s one for you:
Fun fact: rotting grapes can be a good thing for wine
If you want to learn the basics needed to survive your next office party, wine tasting, or a date with a wine snob, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’ve stumbled on this page wanting to know the difference between a Pinot and a Cabernet, don’t worry. When we’re done here, you’ll know more than just their color and that they taste like grapes.
Spoiler alert: grapes are the key ingredient in wine
In all seriousness, wine is very complex and few people realize how much time and effort go into making the best wines in the world. That’s why we’re here to give you the 411 on wine.
The first step in our basic wine guide is understanding why people drink wine.
So why do people drink wine? Not for thehealth benefits, although in moderation it can be beneficial (depending on your definition of moderate).
People drink wine not only to taste it but to savor it.
Before we get into savoring wine we must understand how one’s senses function.
Taste Versus Flavor
Let’s get two things straight here.
First, there is a science to wine ‘tasting’ that you can perfect with enough practice and skill.
And second, DO NOT confuse taste with flavor. Yes, there is a difference.
What’s the difference you ask?
In terms of wine tasting, taste is a perception of that which we put in our mouths whereas flavor is a combination of taste and smell.
There are two ways in which the human body can smell: from the front through our nostrils and from the back through our sinuses. This process is also called retro-olfaction and is the primary way in which we can sense different tastes.
Have you ever tried to eat something when you had a stuffy nose but the flavor wasn’t all there? Here is a good exercise to do if you want to understand the relationship between taste and smell.
Next time you’re eating, hold your nose and pay attention to the flavor. Notice how it’s muted or nonexistent. Then let go of your nose and notice how the flavor presents itself tenfold. That’s because you’re using your sense of taste along with your sense of smell through your sinuses.
The 5 Basic Tastes to Know
You can’t become a wine connoisseur without knowing the 5 basic tastes. They are as follows:
salt 🧂
sour 🍋
sweet 🍬
bitter ☕
umami (think savory). 🧀
Now, obviously, not all wines are equal.
Different grape varietals produce different wines. Said varietals make characteristics such as tannin structure, acid levels, flavor profiles and body/mouthfeel more prominent in some wines as opposed to others.
Tannin is the one thing people will either love or hate about wine.
Tasting tannins are like licking a dry Popsicle stick. Another way to think about it is if you drink over-steeped black tea, that will get you the same taste that a tannic wine will.
Ultimately, what you end up with is a dry, yet strong and bitter mouthfeel.
On the one hand, you have tannin which will dry your mouth out and on the other, you have acid levels. The more acidic wine is the more it will taste sour and the more it will make you salivate.
Wine-making techniques influence flavor profiles such as what container the wine ages in, how long it ages and how it’s fermented. These flavor profiles are what make a wine seem sweet or what makes them taste savory like soy sauce.
The body of a wine relates to the alcohol content. This will affect how heavy a wine seems in the mouth, also referred to as mouthfeel.
Viticulture
So now that we know how to taste, let’s get more into knowing what we are tasting.
Viticulture is the term used to encompass everything that goes on in the vineyard. From year-round maintenance to grape cultivation.
Consider this your 10-minute history lesson on how the activities in the vineyard affect the wine on your table.
Our Good Old Friend Phylloxera
Pests have been the bane of many grape grower’s existences since the test of time (since the 19th century). Bear with me here, we must backtrack to a time where pests were a real thing and pesticide was about as useful as cheap perfume.
All you need to know, biological and scientific terms aside, is that there is a pest known to grapevines called phylloxera. This pest is native to North American and the vines in these locations are resistant to it.
Unfortunately, European vines cannot say the same.
The solution was to graft European roots onto North American roots, sort of like ‘meshing’ them together. Then you get what’s called a new ‘rootstock’ which is then used to create hybrids, crosses, and clones of various vine species.
Thanks to this neat grafting trick, wine is not totally dead in the old world so we can still import our fancy French wines.
Terroir
You might hear mention of a wines ‘terroir’ and how reflective it is of its terroir. This is a fancy way of saying that a wine is reflective of the place in which it was grown.
There are plenty of factors that go into a wine’s terroir. Mainly the climate, how much sunshine the grapes get, what soil it’s grown in, and the specific temperature at which it is grown.
Often times grape growers must control the temperature and humidity levels lest they run into issues.
That’s right, molding food is not always something to dread.
Fun fact: there is good mold and it’s known as ‘Noble rot’.
This is where the forgotten strawberries in the back of your fridge scream in protest for even saying such a thing.
Some grape varietals are more susceptible to mold due to their thin skins. Noble rot draws the water out of the grapes and when this occurs, these grapes are then used to make sweet dessert wines.
Vinification
In a way, winemaking is straightforward. You harvest grapes, you ferment them, and there you go!
That’s as straightforward as it’s going to get because it’s actually much more complex than that.
The 5 Steps in the Winemaking Process
Step 1: Harvesting
This is a critical step.
Harvest the grapes too soon and you get a wine that tastes like 🌶️ jalapeños 🌶️ and is noticeably unripe. Harvest them too late and you run the risk of mold and over-ripening.
Some seasons will be warmer and thus need earlier harvesting and vise versa.
Then you have the option of harvesting by machine or harvesting the old fashion way by hand.
There are all types of factors that will affect how the resulting wine will taste, making this step one of the most important.
Step 2: Crushing and Pressing
Think back to the episode of I Love Lucy when Lucy’s in Italy stomping on grapes with the other ladies of the vineyard. This is one way to crush grapes aside from using modern machinery.
Granted modern machinery is much more sanitary.
Depending on whether the vineyard is making red wine or white wine, the skins and seeds are left in contact with the pressed juice.
Fun fact, this is where Rosé wine starts its journey.
Rose is simply grape juice that has had long enough contact with the skins to add a bit of color, but not long enough to ferment in them.
Step 3: Fermentation
And this is where things start to get hazy.
Fermentation is a whole other process and each winery will have its own method of fermentation to create their trademark brands.
Red and white wines ferment at different temperatures for different lengths of time with the help of several treatments (or none).
These treatments alter the resulting acid levels, alcohol, and overall flavor.
Some wines will undergo malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity levels, as is the case with Chardonnay. Others will undergo chaptalization where sugar is added to the grapes before fermentation to increase the alcohol content.
Some even have sulfur dioxide added into the mix while others will go through acidification and deacidification processes.
Step 4: Clarification
Otherwise known as racking.
Once fermentation is complete, wine is then filtered to get rid of skins, stems, seeds, yeast, and anything left behind during fermentation.
The wine then goes through additional fining using clay or in some non-vegan instances, animal products. Though using animal products seems like one wine trend that is phasing out.
To top it all off, winemakers transfer the wine into either oak or steel barrels.
Step 5: Aging and Bottling
The next and final step is somewhat optional.
Wine can be bottled and left to age. Or it can be left to age in oak or steel barrels.
6 Types of Wine You Must Know
1. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is usually aged in either oak, concrete, or steel vessels. What ends up happening is that dead yeast, known as ‘lees’, settles out of the fermented wine.
There’s a technique called ‘batonnage’ to stir the wine and dead yeast together. This yeast is what gives Chardonnay it’s buttery bread taste.
Chardonnay also goes through malolactic fermentation to take away its acidity.
So where is it grown?
Chardonnay is most commonly grown in the Burgundy and Côte d’Or regions of France. In the US, California is known to grow Chardonnay.
Other international areas that grow Chardonnay include Chile, South Africa, and Bulgaria.
Some common flavors you will taste on the palate include:
Butter
Bread
Tree fruit
2. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one grape that translates the terroir very well.
If the grapes are grown in sand then the resulting wine is more herbaceous. Clay gives the wine more fruit and body and kimmeridgian give the wine more mineral qualities.
Fermentation temperature tends to have an effect on wine flavor.
A colder fermentation will give the wine more elements of trees and tropical fruit. Raise the fermentation temperature and you get more terroir and mineral aspects.
Areas in France known to grow Sauvignon Blanc are the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Other famous areas are California and New Zealand.
Sauvignon has a sharper taste than a Chardonnay, some flavors you’ll notice are:
Lime
Green apple
Passion fruit
Guava
Peach
Grass
Celery
Wet concrete
3. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the one grape that is difficult to grow and make into good wine.
It is susceptible to fungal disease, clusters grow very compact, and the vines lose its vibrant fruit at high temperatures.
The vines like to grow in either limestone or clay. Limestone will give the resulting wine a lighter more aromatic feel because the clay will make the wine tannic and weighty.
Can you guess the international region known for its Pinot?
France it is!
You’ll see a lot of great Pinots come from Oregon as well as California and New Zealand.
Pinot is a great red wine to start off with. On the palate, you’ll get flavors of:
Cherry
Milk chocolate
Tea
Raspberry
Mushrooms
4. Merlot
These grapes are prone to rot and can overripen very quickly, making harvest time a possible nightmare.
To avoid over-ripening, these grapes tend to do better in cool soils like clay.
The grapes have thinner skins than Cabernet grapes and tend to have softer tannins.
Bordeaux in France is popular for growing Merlot as is California, Italy and Washington state.
On the palate, you’ll see flavors such as:
Black fruit
Cocoa
Chocolate or baking spices
Plum
Toffee
Herbs
5. Zinfandel
Here’s another fun fact for your repertoire.
Zinfandel was originally known as a table grape. It’s considered the ‘American’ grape, but its origin is uncertain.
The grape clusters like to ripen early and unevenly. Clusters are large and do well in warmer growing seasons.
What’s interesting about Zinfandel is that the grapes can be made into two different styles of wine.
One is a Rosé and is normally labeled as ‘White Zinfandel’ on the bottle. The second type is a typical red wine that is dry and concentrated.
California and Italy are most popular for growing Zinfandel and characteristics include:
Blueberry
Cherry pie filling
Jam
Spice
Raisins
Black tea
6. Cabernet Sauvignon
Make no mistake about it, Cabernet grapes are a very hardy type.
They are not picky on the soil type they are grown in. They have thick skins and large seeds which hardens them against diseases.
These same skins are what give Cabernet wines their strong tannins.
So if you’re not a fan of tannins, Merlot and Pinot might be a better option for you.
A warmer fermentation period and long soaks in the grape skins extract a lot of color and tannins. Wines then need some aging time to mellow out the tannins and color.
Go ahead and add France as a notable region that grows Cabernet. The left bank of the Bordeaux region, to be exact. Other regions include Napa in California and Australia.
Signature characteristics you’ll get on the nose and palate are:
Black fruit
Green vegetable element
Cedar or wood chips
Sweet hay if it’s from Napa
Jam and minerals if it’s from Bordeaux
You’ll know a Cabernet is unripe if you get hints of green bell pepper so keep that in mind.
Food and Wine Pairing
One thing to note with food and wine is that not everyone will have the same opinion on what pairs well and what doesn’t.
This is a completely subjective gray zone to enter.
One person may think that a Sauvignon Blanc would go great with seafood, drizzled in a cream sauce. Whereas someone else might find that pairing blasphemous.
It’s left up to one’s personal taste palate and how they interpret their own food and wine pairings.
If you’re sitting there going, “Ok great…personal opinion matters big whoop…I still don’t know what to pair with what.”
Well, we’re getting there, sit tight.
6 Go-To Rules for Food and Wine Pairings
That said, food and wine pairings have been whittled down to a science (an overly complicated one at that) but we’re going to simplify it for you.
Wine refreshes the palate between bites and elements in food or wine can complement or take away from each other. So before you place in your wine order, think about the food you are going to eat along with your glass.
1. Match the weight of the dish to the weight of the wine
For example, it would be best to pair a bold meaty dish that is heavy in flavor with a rich red wine that is as bold or heavy in mouthfeel.
2. Wine can compare and/or contrast with a dish
Think about food combos that go good together: tomato and basil, peanut butter and jelly, you get the point. The same goes for wine and food.
They can pair well in the sense that they taste similar or they taste different but still taste good together.
One can also pair complex wines with simple dishes and vice versa or, if all else fails, pair the wine with food from the region the grapes were grown.
3. Alcohol increases the perception of heat or spice in a dish
Spicy dishes with chili peppers could pair with fruity dry wines low in alcohol.
4. Fat and protein reduce the perception of tannin in a wine
Some meat-heavy dishes could pair well with rich wines high in acidity that will cut through the protein and fat content.
5. Salt and acid also reduce the perception of tannin and acid in a wine
With this guideline in mind, you can pair an acidic dish with an acidic wine.
This will, despite what some might believe, decrease the perception of acidity levels all around. So a nice Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon drizzled salmon is one route to choose.
6. Sweetness can also reduce the perception of sweetness in a wine
So choose wisely, equate the sweetness of the dish to the wine lest you run the risk of one overpowering the other.
The takeaway here is that there will be some food combos that will pair better with others from a logical approach.
Ultimately, it will be up to the person to decide what works and what doesn’t work for them.
Frequently Asked Wine Questions
Here’s a quick list of some of the most common wine questions we’ve gotten from customers.
What is a good wine for beginners?
Many beginners prefer white wines to red wines in their initial wine tasting experiences. With that said, whether you start with whites or reds comes down to your taste.
What is a good white wine for beginners?
Here are 4 excellent options: 1. Riesling ” Tasting Riesling starts with intense aromas that rise from the glass (even when the wine is ice cold). This aromatic wine offers primary fruit aromas of orchard fruits like nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, and pear. Besides fruit, you’ll often smell things like honeycomb, jasmine, or lime peel, along with a striking aroma that smells similar to petrol or petroleum wax (a natural compound called TDN). On the palate, Riesling has high acidity, similar to the levels in lemonade.” – Wine Folly
2. Sauvignon Blanc “The primary fruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are lime, green apple, passion fruit, and white peach. Depending on how ripe the grapes are when the wine is made, the flavor will range from zesty lime to flowery peach. What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique from other white wines are its other herbaceous flavors like bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry, and grass. These flavors come from aromatic compounds called pyrazines and are the secret to Sauvignon Blanc’s taste.” – Wine Folly
3. Pinot Grigio “Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is a pinkish grape mutation of Pinot Noir. It’s famously known for zesty white wines, but can also be used for rosé. Look to Northern Italy, Oregon, and Alsace for benchmark examples.” – Wine Folly
4. Chardonnay “One of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, sparkling Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak.” – Wine Folly
What is a good white wine for beginners?
Here are 3 excellent options:
1. Syrah “A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. Syrah is the most planted grape of Australia where they call it Shiraz.” – Wine Folly
2. Petite Sirah “Petit Sirah is loved for its deeply colored wines with rich black fruit flavors and bold tannins. The grape related to Syrah and the rare French grape, Peloursin. The French call it “Durif” but this wine is rare outside of California.” – Wine Folly
3. Pinot Noir “Pinot Noir is the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine. It’s loved for its red fruit, flower, and spice aromas that are accentuated by a long, smooth finish.” – Wine Folly
Finale
Think you know a bit more about wine now that you’ve read our basic wine guide?
You are now well equipped for battle with small talk strangers, ice breakers at the company bar, and everything in between.
From knowing how it’s made to how to buy wine, the best way to appreciate a good glass is by knowing exactly what it is that you’re taking a sip of.
Where is it from?
How was it made?
What are you going to eat and drink it with?
Most importantly, remember to savor and enjoy it in good company.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
Tired of the same old same beer on-tap? Let us take your office happy hour game to the next level!
Say “hi” and one of our awesome team members will contact you ASAP.
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Whether you’re planning to throw a holiday, victory, annual, or any random party in your office, it is possible to throw it with a bang that people will remember for years.
Well, put on your party-planning hat as these 8 tips will crown you the party planning wizard of the office.
Tip #1: Put Together An Office Party Committee
A great party can only be accomplished by a great planning committee. Getting a like-minded group of people together can turn that office party-talk-of-the-year into reality.
Assign your coworkers with tasks that they will not only enjoy but also do well. Get that extra-popular coworker to fill the guest list, your artsy-creative colleague to be the designer of the party, and the office foodie to choose the party’s food and beverage.
Overall, knowing that you need a team to pull off an amazing office party is the first necessary step towards greatness. You can ensure your office party is something to remember by choosing the right people to work on the planning committee.
Undoubtedly, an official Party Planning Committee T-Shirt adds excitement both to the committee members and your co-employees. This is viewed as a serious step in making sure that you’re party will be worth remembering.
Upon planning, there’s nothing wiser than asking the partygoers what they’d like in an office party. By making sure that most of them (if not everyone) are part of the planning, they’ll feel more invested, proud, and participative in the actual party.
Ask your staff for their ideas and recommendations. Ask them to help you build your ideal menu, your theme, and identify the services that will help you make the most of your festivities. As you receive a variety of suggestions, list them down and pick the best ones that suit your objectives, budget, and your workplace values and culture.
Otherwise, no matter how well-executed and gorgeous your party may be, if it’s not what the majority of people want, then it’s going to lack the oomph needed to make it a net-positive and memorable experience.
Tip #3: Choose a Fun Party Theme
One party planning ingredient that is often overlooked but shouldn’t be is the theme. Why? Because it sets the tone for the whole event, driving all of your planning decisions and helping to engage attendees. The theme you choose for your party will help determine the right atmosphere you need to create to pull it off.
How could you make your office party theme fun?
First, you need to clearly determine the type of party you’re planning. Will this be an after-hours party or an at-work celebration? Formal or casual? Activity or reception? Or, do you want to incorporate a charitable activity that will bring everyone together for a good cause?
Second, when you figure these out, brainstorm relevant experiences and activities your attendees will love. You can reflect on the personalities and preferences of your team members. Know their interests and what’s trending, and come up with a theme that the majority could truly enjoy.
You’ll obviously be limited in what you can do, but with a well-thought-out and fun theme, your guests will be excited for the party to come.
Tip: No matter what party you choose, make sure it’s inclusive to everyone and always invite plus-ones.
If you want your office party to be memorable for the right reasons, a lineup of entertainment and activities can be a great way to do that. For instance, it’s safe to say that no one wants to get stuck in a room full of people without any music or engagement at all.
Great entertainment and activities come in all shapes and sizes. Jumpstart the fun by hosting a game or a contest — a little friendly competition can liven up your holiday party in no time. Some fun ideas include a caption contest, scavenger hunt, or even a trivia game focused on questions about the business and/or the season.
Further, a great way to help people get into the party spirit is to have entertainers such as a band, acoustic singer, or a dance group. Depending on the theme, you can also consider hiring a magician or mentalist who is skilled at engaging small groups, getting them talking, laughing, and enjoying a quick, unique shared magical experience.
It’s not a party without a delicious spread of food, so don’t overlook the menu. It doesn’t matter if the party takes place during odd hours, you still have to have some sort of snacks for your guests to nibble on.
One more thing you should not skimp on is the availability of drinks. Alcohol can be a great social lubricant to help break the ice in awkward situations, making the party more memorable.
However, be sure to have a nice mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone is able to enjoy themselves. If there is alcohol, you’ll want someone to play the role of bartender. This will help prevent employees from becoming too inebriated. Plan carefully– will you have an open bar or just drink tickets? Beer and wine only or holiday-themed cocktails?
Remember that bad and not enough food & drinks are two problems that can turn an otherwise great party into a bit of a disaster. We strongly suggest hiring out the food catering to a reputable caterer in your area. A skilled and experienced catering team can assist you in determining the best foods and beverages to offer at your company’s party (Check out our event drink catering services if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area).
Tip #6: Choose A Convenient Location
The location of the venue is always important for an office party. Whether you’re planning to hold the party outside or just in your workplace, make sure it’s convenient for everyone. Most people don’t want to attend a party if it’s too far from their office or home.
If you’re planning to throw a party outside of your workplace, make sure it’s a place that can easily accommodate your group without being too large or too small. Venues that are too small can make people feel claustrophobic and want to leave the event more quickly. Venues that are too big create awkwardness and discourage interaction.
Do some research beforehand and pick the venue that’s the right combination of size and uniqueness for your company. Verify that the venue has a reputation for being a reliable place to hold fun events. Once you are certain about a venue, book your date and time right away to avoid missing out.
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Tip #7: Host Your Office Party in the Off-season
In most cases, the best time to have a party is during the last hour of the workday. This permits people to get their work done and then enjoy the event. You don’t want to host one in the middle of a workday when people should be maximizing productivity.
The day of the week is also important to consider. For example, if you hold your gathering on a Thursday night, people would most likely feel burnt out the following day.
If it’s a holiday party, the date should not coincide with the actual date of the holiday as people would most likely want to spend the day with their families or loved ones.
It would be advisable to have the party during non-work hours, but do not make the party mandatory or you might cause resentment and will have to pay the employees for their time.
Tip #8: Think About The Office Party Extras
A surprise raffle, photobooth, giveaways, souvenirs — these are just common examples of extras you can provide for your employees.
Yes, you are already giving them a party, but an extra small gift for everyone is a great gesture and spreads cheer. Have something nice, but not budget-breaking.
Other than material gifts, you can provide surprising extras for your employees by integrating recognition for their effort. An appreciation plaque, a special award, or a token of gratitude would give them a truly memorable day.
After all, your employees deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the success of your company. Make these recognitions a big highlight of the party to boost loyalty and morale.
The key to a successful office party isn’t a big budget or lots of flashy decorations. Instead, it’s thoughtfulness and careful planning. By accounting for elements like theme, food and drink, timing, and activities, you can ensure people have a good time and remember the event for years to come.
As you move forward with your party planning activities, remember to utilize the tips above to streamline the process from beginning to end. Your efforts will help ensure that your employees have an incredible time at your office party. When your employees have a great time, you can rest assured that loyalty and morale also increase across the board.
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https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Image-from-iOS-32-1.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-06-25 02:57:182022-07-21 17:14:41How To Throw An Office Party Your Employees Will Love
Ask any event planner and they’ll tell you the difficulties of planning an event, let alone one with a tight budget.
There are plenty of good reasons why planning an event can be stressful. A lot of it actually has to do with trivial details that are easily overlooked by the event planner themselves.
So many in fact that it can be hard to keep up sometimes.
BUT, there are ways to avoid the hassle and stress that comes with planning events.
Now without further ado, let’s talk about how to plan a stress-free event without giving up a limb or two in the process.
Plan For A Worst Case Scenario
If all goes as planned, then there shouldn’t be a worst case scenario.
However, fate, karma, the gods, or some other divine entities will always have a way of interrupting our well-kept plans.
Prepare for the worst, so if it happens, you’ll be able to handle it with a cool head.
Here are some tips to stay several steps ahead of the game:
Make a list of everything that could go wrong. Then make a list of how you would respond to every scenario.
Double the amount of time it takes to get ready. That way if something does go wrong, you have extra time to deal with it.
Take extra precautions. If you think the bar might run out of ice halfway through the event, make sure to peg the location of the nearest store in case you need to run out and buy more.
Recruit Extra Hands
Depending on the size of the event, it might be wise to ask for help.
For something as big as a wedding, you’re going to need plenty of hands that are not only capable of taking on a huge load but are knowledgeable as well.
Folks are going to be approaching left and right asking where the bathrooms are, where the food is, what time to take seats, etc. Or there might be times when you just need helping hands capable of dealing with high-stress situations.
Big events are a big deal so make sure your crew knows everything they need to know to keep everyone’s stress levels down.
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Make A Checklist
There is something immensely satisfying about checking things off a list one by one as you complete them.
It helps to see all that you’ve completed right in front of you and it’s a way to quantify your duties.
They also allow you to rank from items from most important to least important while staying organized in the process.
Speaking of organization, planners are the epitome of stress-free organization. They will become your best friend, and they’re an excellent way to keep your life from falling apart.
It’s always a good idea to have a pen in hand at all times or your phone planner at the ready because you never know when you’re going to need to write something down.
What if you forget to tell the DJ something important about the event day because you forgot to call them back?
If you keep up with a planner and jot down notes or reminders, then you won’t have to rely on memory alone.
Create A Simple Menu
There are benefits to creating a simple menu for an event, be it the food or the cocktail menu.
Firstly, you’re making the lives of your guests easier by not overwhelming them with too many options.
Secondly, you’re making it easier on your crew because all you need to know how to prepare is a select few dishes or cocktails rather than a full blown
For example, have one go-to cocktail that’s easy for your bartenders to make but something that your guests will love.
This is where you bring out the blackboard and make an aesthetic sign with pink chalk that highlights your butterfly lotus cocktail or whatever it is you want to serve that day.
Create A Reliable Network
Having an extensive contact list is nothing if those contacts are not reliable.
Think of your network in a tit-for-tat kind of way. Fostering positive relationships with everyone you work with is key because there may come a time when you need to work with them again.
Say for example the DJ you hired cancels on you last minute. Your goal is to create the kind of network where you can call on someone last minute to fill in with no problems.
These kinds of relationships are key to ensuring your event flows smoothly.
Create A Budget And Stick To It
A budget shouldn’t be a source of stress. If one route is no longer available to you due to insufficient funds then find another way to accomplish your goal.
Compare prices, find value deals, quality options, etc. If there is a way to minimize spending then take the time to cut costs without cutting corners.
Pick A Theme And Roll With It
About 50% of your decisions will be made 100% easier if you have a theme to reference any time you make big decisions.
Let the theme decide your menu options for example. If you’re going tropical then you can serve tropical food and drinks.
Don’t know what party favors to include? Reference the theme.
Too many decoration options to choose from? Simply reference the color scheme.
Everything from the decor to edible choices can be decided with a simple theme.
Keep It Simple
Keep things stress-free by keeping the details simple. The safe route is not always a bad route.
If you don’t have the resources or the ability to carry out the show-stopping event that you had in mind then don’t lose sleep over it.
Simple menus, simple decor, simple layout will do the job just fine.
Above all, don’t over complicate anything that doesn’t need over complicating.
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Clear Communication
Make entirely sure that everyone is on the same page as you.
Ensure that your contracts with your venue coordinator or the caterer are clear lest you want a big misunderstanding on the day of.
Also, don’t make promises you can’t keep. If it turns out you can’t keep those promises, then that’s just asking for added stress on your shoulders.
Hold plenty of phone calls or meetings with your team and those you work with so your plan is crystal clear for the day of the event.
Conclusion
Event planning doesn’t have to be stressful. On the contrary, planning stress-free events is simple if you keep these tips in mind.
Keeping a cool head on the day of the event is just as important as keeping a cool head throughout the time you’re planning the event.
So think smart, plan ahead, and start planning your next event sans the stress.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!