5 Tips to organise a successful holiday event

The holidays are the perfect time to strengthen your business relationships and end the year on a positive note. Holidays evoke a sense of togetherness and appreciation, making it a perfect time to thank your partners, associates and employees while strengthening your brand. But how do you make sure your holiday event is both professional and memorable? As an events agency, we share five tips to organise a successful corporate holiday event that both impresses and contributes to the growth of your organisation.

1. Create a unique atmosphere

Winter and the holidays naturally bring a sense of warmth and closeness. Capitalise on this by creating a unique atmosphere that suits your brand and the occasion. Use a theme that suits your brand but also conveys that holiday feeling, such as; winter wonderland, gala glamour or ugly Christmas jumpers. Decorate your venue with decorations that fit this theme and use atmospheric lighting to tie it all together. Think not only inside but also outside! Fire baskets are a perfect addition to your venue. It gives nice warmth but also a lot of atmosphere when your guests arrive or leave your event. There are countless ways to decorate your venue and create a unique atmosphere during your event, contributing to a positive experience.

2. Don't forget the festive catering

A holiday event is not complete without festive snacks and drinks. Provide catering that matches the atmosphere of the event and pampers your guests. Whether you opt for an elaborate dinner, an atmospheric drinks reception or a walking dinner with luxury appetisers, make sure the quality is high and that the dishes match your guests' expectations. Also consider adding a festive twist, such as a special Christmas cocktail or a dessert buffet with typical seasonal delicacies. This will not only add to the experience, but also linger longer with guests. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you think of everyone in the production process. So don't forget vegetarian or halal options either so everyone can enjoy themselves during the festive season.

3. Integrate an element of surprise

To make your event even more successful, we recommend surprising your guests with something unexpected. Many companies still play it safe with their events. But you can gain a lot from thinking out of the box during the production process of your event. This can vary from an unexpected opening act with music and light show, a well-known speaker or singer, or a unique activation such as a wine tasting. You name it, but a lot is possible in the event industry. A surprising element increases the attention value and makes the event unforgettable.

4. Keep sustainability in mind

The trend towards sustainability continues, even during the holidays. Perhaps your company is also working on making its business, products or operations more sustainable. So it makes sense to choose sustainable materials for your event, such as recycled decorations, and to work with suppliers who are also taking steps towards sustainability. This can range from organic catering to using reusable materials. In addition, you can engage your guests by making them aware of the sustainable choices you have made for the event. Think of informative displays or a short explanation during the welcome speech. This shows that your organisation is not just celebrating, but also taking responsibility for a better future and staying close to its own values.

5. Treat your guests to a thoughtful farewell gift

A thoughtful gift at the end of your event can leave a lasting impression. You could, for example, combine this with the Christmas gift you give to your employees. Nothing like picking up your Christmas package in an innovative and fun way. You can even organise a Christmas gift market at your event where your employees can put together their own Christmas gift.

Organising a business event during the holidays offers countless opportunities to strengthen the bond with your business contacts, partners and employees. By working strategically and creatively, you will create a holiday event that not only makes an impact, but also contributes to the growth of your organisation. Whether it is about loyalty, brand awareness or strengthening business relationships-the right event can work wonders.

With these five tips, you will be well prepared to produce a successful and memorable holiday event. Together, let's harness the magic of the holidays to make your business event a huge success.