8 tips to ensure a successful company party

2025-06-17T13:23:54

A successful company party brings employees closer together and makes them feel cared for and valued. But for the organizer of the party, this means a lot of tension and responsibility – will everything go smoothly? We are giving you 8 tips that if followed will (almost) guarantee a great party.

1. Take a moment to think about who the party is meant for. If you know your people well, you can base your choices on what type of evening your colleagues would enjoy the most. Would they prefer a lively dance party or a classy dinner with live music in the background? Maybe a combination of both? You may not be able to please everyone, but it helps to know what the majority prefers. If you don’t know, you can conduct a small survey – then your colleagues will also feel included.

2. Choose a location outside of regular work spaces. It’s nice to have a party in your office every now and then, but the more casual the environment, the less special the event will be. While staying in the office might seem like a smart budget choice, there are actually some really great places to host a party at a reasonable price – from restaurants and museums to nightclubs.

3. Share the costs. The majority of companies set aside a specific budget for events, which must cover the costs of the venue, catering, and entertainment. But how about teaming up with another department or a partner company for the party? This allows for savings because the main costs are shared. For example, for Christmas, companies are also offered so-called ready-made parties, where places are booked per participant and the price includes both food and an entertainment program. If the idea of a shared party suits you, but you would prefer a more private and cozy solution than a big party, check out our corporate Christmas parties.

4. Book early. The further into the fall you put off organizing your Christmas party, the fewer options you have, as many venues are already booked, not to mention performers, and you may also have difficulty finding a caterer. Since everyone wants to have their Christmas party at more or less the same time, you have a big advantage by getting started early – a simple but very important thing to remember!

5. Carefully think through the evening plan. Every party usually includes some kind of official part: at the end of the year, summaries are made and the best are recognized, during the summer days, strategies are discussed, etc. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there shouldn’t be too much of it – otherwise it just gets boring. It’s important to remember that a party is often hard to get started and just as difficult to wind down. To help guests settle in smoothly, include some icebreaker games or entertaining performances in the evening’s schedule.

6. Don’t overdo the games. Some party games can be great icebreakers and instantly create a good mood, but it’s important to carefully consider who you are hosting the party for. If the group is more conservative, activities like dancing on newspapers or egg-and-spoon races are more likely to cause general discomfort. And maybe you don’t even need a special program? If work is so busy every day that there’s hardly any time to talk, organized entertainment can be minimal or even unnecessary – just being together is already enjoyable!

7. Give people the chance to socialize. One of the main goals of a company party is for people to take a break together and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s why the setting should promote interaction. If the music is too loud, it’s very difficult to have a conversation. When choosing a party, review the program and opt for one that includes enough breaks. At a private party, the volume should be turned up only once the dancing is already underway. Until then, keep the music at a reasonable level so people don’t have to shout over it.

8. Make sure to have plenty of food and drinks on hand. The saddest parties are the ones where people end up going to grab a burger afterward because the food ran out and everyone’s left hungry. In addition to a hearty dinner, a small selection of snacks should be available until late at night, so guests can grab a bite between dances. If you’re also responsible for the drinks, check beforehand what the group prefers. There’s no point in stocking up on liters of rum if no one drinks it. When hosting a party at a restaurant or hotel, you don’t have to worry about that – everything is taken care of.

Organizing a memorable company party isn’t magic – as long as you consider your people’s preferences and think through all the details beforehand. Good planning leads to a fun and memorable party – and allows you to enjoy the evening as well.

Tallink Hotels’ corporate Christmas parties offer a completely hassle-free solution: the time, venue, entertainment, and festive dinner are all taken care of – all you have to do is dress up and show up.