5 Tips For Planning Your Next Holiday Event

Holiday events can sometimes be just as challenging to plan as elaborate weddings. As an event planner or manager of an event facility you must try to incorporate the holiday feeling with, for example, Christmas, but still be aware that others may be attending of different denominations (Jewish, Hindu, etc.)

So here are some quick tips for planning your holiday events and keeping these events fresh and unlike events participants may have attended elsewhere.

1. Incorporate the Holiday Theme in Unique Ways

One way to keep events fresh and unique is to incorporate the holiday theme in unlikely places. Perhaps it starts with how they are greeted at the event, using unique costumes or holiday color schemes with those working the event. If it’s a Christian-themed adult holiday event, why not have an area for guests to visit Santa and get a holiday picture? Adults definitely don’t do that anymore and it adds an element of fun and nostalgia to the event.

If the event includes any type of gift from the host--not uncommon for corporate events or company, year-end parties--suggest a unique delivery method, such as putting the items in stockings. Or use mini stockings as part of the place setting as a “wrap” for the silverware.

If name tags are a part of the event, go all out to make these elaborate and festive.

2. Don’t Forget the Bar

Why not have an all holiday-themed cocktail list for the bar? Many wineries even put out holiday-themed bottles and flavors of wine that could be included. Who wouldn’t want a drink like spiked eggnog, a spiced cider with an added kick like caramel vodka or hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps? Or perhaps a special, signature martini around the holidays with a unique name like Mistletoe Martini?

3. Incorporate all the Senses

While a visually appealing banquet hall or other facility is a must for holiday events and you now have a cocktail list and possibly a menu to incorporate the tastes of the holidays, don’t forget the other senses as well. Make the room smell like the holidays with scented candles, potpourri, air fresheners, etc. Include instrumental holiday-themed music playing softly in the background.

4. Add a Charity Component

Including a charity component can help give the event a deeper meaning. Suggest the idea to the event host and mention that the charity or cause selected should be something their guests can relate to, as they will want guests sharing in the feeling of accomplishment and pride in giving back to their community.

This can even be done in a unique fashion, such as a monetary contribution for each guest arriving in holiday attire or having a Facebook Charity Challenge. With the social media challenge, the hosting company can offer to donate $1 to a specific charity for every post to the company Facebook Page or for every post with a specific hashtag. Such a challenge helps engage guests on social media in support of a cause while still indirectly promoting that firm.

5. Make It An Unforgettable Experience

Make it a top priority that guests attending the event feel warmly welcomed and pampered throughout the event. This starts with budgeting properly for plenty of greeters, waitstaff and bartenders. Nearly everyone is stressed at the holidays with huge, personal to-do lists and, in some cases, a lot of year-end details at work. Therefore, they often don’t take the time to relax and treat themselves to a five-star experience. This holiday event being planned could be such an outlet for them. If the budget permits, offer those little extras like valet parking and coat check. Make the food be a wonderful and memorable experience as well--even if it’s simply an appetizers and cocktails event.

You could even get creative by hiring a few masseuses to offer brief neck and shoulder massages for guests. Or by hosting a raffle or drawing for pampering prizes, such as gift certificates for facials, massages, spa days, manicures, maid service, etc. Companies could add in unique gift items for attending employees such as a catered lunch for their department, an extra half or full day of vacation or other items.

Whatever your event facility or holiday planning needs,Coast to Coast Event Furniture is here to help with furniture for every occasion—folding chairs, round tables, Chiavari chairs, folding tables, etc. Visit https://ctceventfurniture.com/ to see our extensive chair selection, color choices and finishes along with a variety of banquet tables and other furnishings to assist with putting on your future events with ease. Or call our toll-free, customer service line, 1-844-280-0032.