2022 Corporate Holiday Party Ideas for Event Planners in New York

November 23, 2022 Susan Serena

If you're an Event Planner in New York, you know how hard it is to find the right event at the right time of year.

People want something that's going to be fun and memorable, and that doesn’t feel like they are forced to go because it’s for work.

There are many ways to have fun with your coworkers during the holidays. Not only does a holiday party let you get all of your employees together for some good food and drink, but it also allows you to celebrate the achievements of the year, thank your employees for their hard work, and give them a chance to relax and enjoy themselves.

The most important thing about planning a successful corporate holiday party is making sure that everyone has fun! You want this event to be enjoyable for both your employees and you, so make it as entertaining as possible.

That said, I created a list of great holiday party ideas that are sure to bring everyone together.

Gather around the fire

Fire pits are the perfect way to bring people together. There's nothing quite like sitting around a fire and relaxing with your friends, family and colleagues.

Fire pits are great ways to get people together and keep them warm during a holiday party.

Don't forget the s'mores! If you want an even easier way to enjoy a firepit, simply add some marshmallows and graham crackers to your list of holiday party supplies. Everyone loves making their own s'mores!

Go for an ice-skating party

If you ask an event planner in New York, they'll tell you that an ice-skating party is an excellent way to keep the holiday celebration fun and festive while also bringing in a little bit of exercise.

Ice skating is a great activity for all ages, and it can be done indoors or outdoors depending on your preferred venue and weather conditions.

If you're looking to host your corporate party at an ice rink in New York City, there are many options to choose from!

For example, there are indoor rinks that allow for private parties or offer open skating hours for anyone who wants to join in on the fun. You may also decide that your group would prefer some fresh air when they're having their holiday event, and if so, there are some outdoor skating rinks like Rockefeller Plaza Outdoor Ice Skating in Manhattan or Lefrak Center in Brooklyn!

Celebrate the season with a holiday movie night

If you're looking for a way to celebrate the season with your coworkers, try hosting a holiday movie night.

Choose a movie that is fun and family-friendly because it will make it easier for everyone to get into the spirit of things if they're not worried about inappropriate content.

You don't have to go all-out with snacks and drinks (though if you do, more power to you!), but it's always nice if those who want them can bring their own munchies.

If possible, invite coworkers with kids so that they can bring their families along. You’d be surprised how much connecting families amongst coworkers improves company culture!

Put together a gift exchange

If you're hosting a holiday party and looking for an activity to get people mingling and having fun, consider running a gift exchange.

You can make it as simple or complex as you like: the more elaborate your game plan is, the more time it will take to execute. But these kinds of activities are always worth the effort.

Here are a few basic rules:

Decide on a theme. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something that will help inspire everyone's creativity when they choose their gifts.

For example, if everyone has attended multiple holiday parties at your home over the years, maybe this year's theme should be "old favorites." If one person works in marketing and another does graphic design work but none of them ever seem excited about what each other does for work (or life in general), maybe this year's theme should be "gifts that reflect how much we appreciate each other."

The point here is that there should be some sort of connection between all the things on display. Themes don't necessarily have to tie everything together with a cohesive thread but instead just provide some structure so that people can find themselves inspired by certain kinds of items rather than wondering whether it was okay for them not buy something worth $50+.

Have a holiday-themed cookie decorating party

Bake cookies for your office holiday party and invite everyone to bring their own favorite treats to decorate them with.

Even though it's not technically legal to have alcohol at an office holiday party, you can make mocktails with fresh juices or sparkling water in pretty glasses.

Decorate the space where you'll be holding the event with festive decorations like garlands and wreaths.

If you're feeling ambitious, try making a gingerbread house with the entire team involved!

You could also host a baking party (click for some ideas), and if there is no kitchen in the office to do so…check around and see if anyone can volunteer their home. Which in turn, makes it a more wholesome holiday party.

Light up the season with a light show tour

Light shows have been around for centuries, but they've recently gained popularity due to their ability to create an immersive experience that's easy on the eyes and brain.

A light show tour is just what it sounds like: a bus tour through your city's most popular neighborhoods while your guide points out all of the colorful lights. The best part? You don't have to drive or navigate. You can sit back and enjoy the ride!

Here are some tips for making sure this holiday tradition becomes a yearly event:

  • Plan ahead: Make sure everyone knows when they should arrive at their meeting spot (the bus stop or train station), which direction they're going in, and how long it will take them get there on foot—it'll make things easier if you're late!
  • Bring snacks: There won't be any stops along the way during these tours, so make sure everyone has something in their stomachs before getting on board. The bus might seem big at first glance but trust us—it fills up quickly! Also keep in mind that since many of these trips happen during night hours when restaurants may not be open anyway...you might want something extra sweet like cookies or candy instead.

Host a holiday-themed potluck

A potluck is a great way to get your employees and their families to interact with each other. It's also a nice way for them to get out of the office and interact with friends.

An event planner in New York would agree that potlucks are an excellent way to help build camaraderie in the office, which can be especially important during the holidays when people are stressed and feeling lonely.

You can make the potluck extra special by having each person bring a dish that's themed for the holidays. For example, if it's Thanksgiving, you can ask everyone to bring something that goes with turkey or stuffing.

You could also ask each staff member to bring a dish from their home country or that represents their culture. This is a great way to bring the office together, celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you some ideas and inspiration for planning a successful holiday party.

If you're an event planner in New York, you should absolutely get on the waiting list to attend The Event Planner Expo! You'll learn more about how to plan an amazing corporate holiday party. If you’re not already on the list, be sure to click and sign up today!

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