Work Christmas Party - best and worst

[ohbutyoulovescarves]

I've just booked a venue for my office of 100 people and want to come up with some ideas to make it extra special. Ive got a good budget so people won't be paying anything towards it, obviously there will be plenty of food and drink but what would you hate to see in terms of entertainment? What things have really worked at Christmas parties you've been to before?

Oo I used to have one of those

Problem with comedians is that what some find funny, others find offensive.

Stealth me too! They love a bit of nostalgia my lot but back to the drawing board on that. Maybe I'll do a little stocking for everyone

A sweet shop selling mix ups? You could leave 20p by their place settings. Obviously most sweets would be half a penny as they used to be!

Ooh! A sweet shop would be awesome!

@jennymanara that's a really good point. There aren't really any 'safe' options I can think of, I wonder if a night out to the comedy store as a team social before the Xmas party would be a good way to gauge whether a comedian is a good idea.

What about These as favours

I got one last Christmas and it was lovely and amazing to see the size difference. And the old school logos. That site is out if stock but I think they can be found a few places.

DH would love that Bernadette! That could definitely work! I love the old packaging. Convinced it somehow makes it taste nicer 😂

What about a Shows shadow show?

They do create bespoke shows so may do something festive.

Shows

Sorry link not working. Third time is a charm...

www.alivenetwork.com/bandpage.asp?bandname=ShadowShows

Dammit. Search Shadow Show on that website sorry I can't get you to the exact page

I loved them when they were on BGT! Not sure we're the right crowd for them though.

Don't have a seating plan. Christmas parties can be fun, but there's still that element of "compulsory fun". Trying to engineer interdepartmental connections just makes it more compulsory and less fun.

Wow that’s some budget! There’s a bar near me where the band changes every hour and just keeps getting livelier and livelier I always think that would be great at an event like that ! Obviously a lot of drink (always good) I think I would actually get a pizza delivery for home time (or something to that effect) nice woodstone pizza just what you need on the way home!

Trying there's a bar near our office that has a pianist and singers that only play requests! It's got such a good atmosphere, people singing along to the most random selection of songs. Had one night there where someone had requested the theme tune to neighbours 😂

I used to plan our Xmas parties in an old job. The best was definitely a 70s themed night. I decorated the room with large props like the pics, two giant glitter boots each side of the stage for the band and some silhouette panels. And one of those peep through panels with the face cut out for photos. I think the decorations made it actually as they were huge and colourful. Think I did loads of balloons too.

We had a live band who I think did first set of 70s music and second set of mixed disco music. Then a DJ for the rest of the night.

It was optional fancy dress so was expecting maybe 50% would go for it however all but 3 people dressed up, it was fab! Even those 3 ended up with other people's wigs on by end of the night. I got someone in the band to pick a best fact dress prize.

I wish I could share pictures of the party, it was awesome! People I'm still in touch with since leaving still mention it now.

We also did a raffle of 10 large gifts, like £250 holiday vouchers, a tv etc. Everyone's name went into a hat and if your name was picked you could choose your prize. People loved having that opportunity.

My next most successful one was an interactive quiz night. It was far better than you'd think as they had proper press the buzzer rounds. I can try and find a link if anyone is interested.

That bar sounds great! I would get them for the doo lol

Rainbow a raffle is a great idea!

We have a wheel of fortune in our office you get to spin on your birthday to win a prize and everyone loves that.

We do quiz nights and play your cards right quite often in the office though so not sure it would work at the Xmas party. I'm definitely going to need to name change after this thread 😳

Trying alas the food is sub par! But it's a firm favourite for team socials.

Not sure on the venue and the crowd but google Massaoke! If you all
Like a sing song, they are amazing!
www.massaoke.com

I like things to do like murder mysteries and loath discos!
I’d appreciate really good food not mass produced stuff & being able to have a conversation

@sm40 hit the nail on the head! They would love this!

Anyone else wondering which company the OP works for? They sound awesome!

Yay!
If you are anywhere need London they are doing a couple of free gigs near London Bridge this summer. They are my guilty pleasure and I hate karaoke!!!
I got them for my birthday last year.