How to Get Better Turnout for Your Company's Christmas Party

Planning your corporate Christmas party this year but wondering how to ensure a huge turnout? We’ve got you covered. Event Solutions has managed and coordinated countless amazing holiday parties for companies nationwide. With 40 years of experience, we’d like to offer some advice on the best ideas to boost your attendance rates.

Unique Experiences:

Offering your team a chance to do something unforgettable makes their excitement for the party soar. Whether it’s going to the zoo and petting a sloth, which this Redditor says was their favorite experience at a party, or something adrenaline-pumping like skydiving, novel experiences mean big turnouts.

We Recommend:

• Experiences like woodburning, glass etching, and candle-making
• Entertainers like ribbon dancers, cirque performers, and costumed performers
• Unforgettable food options like interactive action stations and decadent holiday feasts

Try Something Big:

If you want to make a big impression, go all out! Fancy dinner parties can make your team feel like royalty. Or, on a more informal side, taking them out to an excellent place for a unique experience, like skiing, is sure to excite them.

We Recommend:

• Picking an amazing venue
• Company outing experiences
• Hosting a destination event

Make it Exciting:?

Making the Christmas party exciting is a huge draw for attendees. Playing thrilling or downright goofy games, going on an adventure together, or doing contests for prizes can turn your party up a notch. Bowling, arcade games, and axe throwing were favorites mentioned by this Redditor. Our team has developed fun and enthralling company Christmas party games that your team will surely enjoy.?

We Recommend:

• Indoor mini golf, bowling, or casino games
• Ice skating, sledding, skiing, and other outdoor winter activities
• Hosting a game competition, game night, or board game contest

Do it During the Work Week:

One simple way to up attendance is hosting your party during work hours. Your team is all already gathered and ready for the event. This Redditor says they prefer work hours events with fun games and employee holiday gifts to keep the spirits high.?

Ideas for Hosting Parties During the Work Week:

• Choose a nearby location or host onsite to reduce commute times to the party
• Play plenty of fun games (game tables, icebreaker games, bingo, etc)
• Partner with an event coordinator who can provide catering, setup, and activities

The Best Thing You Can Do

The best thing you can do to ensure high turnout rates is to give them an unforgettable experience.

What that might look like for your company will be different for each group. It'll depend on your budget, your company culture, and your location.

One company we had a great turn out for included their employees families. It looked very much like a typical company party, but with children dressed up and families enjoying the evening together.

When you are stuck between options, ask your team. Send your team a poll or questionnaire and work with an event planner to make their choice come true.

Whether they long for an intimate gathering over dinner or an exciting day out hitting up local attractions, following their wishes ensures everyone will be excited to attend. If you’re looking for an event planning agency to handle it all, give us a call at 800.366.0603.