As the holiday’s approach, there are many things that fill our days and add to our to-do lists. End of the year work deadlines get closer and holiday cards start to fill up the mailbox, reminding you just how close the holiday season is approaching. While the holidays can be stressful, the holiday season is also a time of year filled with cheer, long lines at the mall and lots of parties full of fun. Speaking of fun, as a business owner, you need to start planning your own fun: your holiday party for clients and employees. Once the holidays approach, time speeds up and the days get away from you, and in order to plan a successful holiday party you need to jump-start the party planning before everything is filled up. “Popular dates and times always fill up first,” Shawn Herout from Sun Valley Lanes said. “By planning ahead, the employer and employee can plan accordingly for the date/time of their party. Announcing a party on short notice is not a good option either, as employees may feel slighted that they were not given an opportunity to plan for the event.” Annette Marquez, a professional party planner at The Perfect Occasion offers up these tips on planning your holiday party early: “For some companies, there will be the inevitable eleventh-hour rush to plan this year’s holiday event and manage the numerous details required to ensure a successful party. To avoid the last minute crunch of looking for a venue and dealing with the countless logistics, start your planning early. Starting you planning at least six months in advance has many advantages.

Advance planning gives you enough lead time to ask your employees for their input about the type of party they would enjoy and when and where to hold it. They may opt for a party after the first of the year when the hectic holiday season winds down and they are ready for a break from the winter doldrums.

Maybe your employees would love a repeat of last year’s party or perhaps they want something new.  I once worked for a company that planned the same party year after year.  It was fun for the few years, but eventually employees began to grumble under their breaths that they wished for something different.

Planning ahead by at least six months also gives you the opportunity to secure just the right venue, caterer, suppliers and entertainers.  You may even be able to negotiate a better price.  Your employees can plan ahead and get it on their social calendars.  You avoid the last minute scramble.  This is a win-win all around.”

Some businesses think that their clients and employees are too busy during the holidays to attend an office holiday party. This way of thinking will lead to bummed out employees and low employee morale come the end of the year, which isn’t something you want to spread throughout the office. “Business owners should hold holiday parties for employee morale. Study after study has been done that indicates that an employee who has an emotional connection with their work place tends to be much more productive than an indifferent employee,” Shawn Herout said. “By hosting a company party, an employer has an opportunity to build a relationship with their employees that goes beyond the work aspect of the job. It was gives the employer an opportunity to let their staff know that they appreciate what they have accomplished over the past year, while also bringing up any concerns they may have. This type of reward helps build team unity and gives them a better sense of pride in their work and their organization.”

Your office party does not need to cost a crazy amount or be held in the hottest spot in town. The holiday party just needs to show appreciation to your clients and employees and allow everyone a night to relax and enjoy the company of their co-workers in a non-work environment. “It is important to not lose sight of showing your appreciation to your employees during the holiday season, even in the smallest ways,” Angela Roeber from the Strategic Air and Space Museum said. “Whether a holiday party is feasible this year or not, it’s important to try to make a concerned effort to bring employees together, show them appreciation, and boost morale. We all know employees whom we owe appreciation and thanks to for their efforts this holiday season, particularly after many of the challenges our businesses have experienced throughout the year. If your organization can’t provide a holiday party this year for economical reasons, consider ways that you can show appreciation to your employees.”

If your company had a harder time this year, don’t think your party needs to be extravagant.  A low-key party can be just as much fun as a bigger party. “Choose decorations that make your employees say WOW when they enter the room,” Marquez says. “Lighting and color can create the wow factor without adding big bucks.” And, you can also always dress up a low-key party by telling your employees to take some extra time to pamper themselves and dress the party up with their style instead of the décor of the party. A place they should stop by is Aesthetics at Tiffany’s. “Some of the services we offer that would be good before attending a holiday party would be Novalash eyelash extensions,” Tiffany Baustert with Aesthetics at Tiffany’s said. “They add length and thickness and you can always choose a natural look or dramatic. Microdermabrasions are also good before a special event but I would recommend getting it done at least three to four days before the party.” The main thing to remember for your holiday party is by making the party enjoyable and giving your employees a nice atmosphere to relax in, they will appreciate your time and effort that went into planning the party; and remember to work just as hard next year for a party again!

When you decide to start planning your party, which I hope is sooner rather than later, keep these points in mind:

–Be flexible with your budget if it allows. Your employees have worked hard this year and they deserve a holiday party that allows them to relax and have a little fun. Professional planners are a good idea when you are thinking about your budget as well. “Planners can help keep your budget in check by negotiating with suppliers and understanding how pricing works,” Annette Marquez from The Perfect Occasion said. “For example, when a caterer quotes $35 per person meal price, is the quote plus-plus or is it all-inclusive? Also, if alcohol is being served, consider a cash bar of providing employees only one or two drink tickets.”

–Bringing in entertainers for your holiday party can be a good idea to get the party going and help keep it flowing. “Some entertainers are willing to incorporate something special about your company into their performance. This is a great way to highlight company achievements and share fun tidbits about your company,” Marquez said. Some entertainers to consider include a local band, a disc jockey (DJ), a magician, or local comedy act. Another fun idea that is becoming more popular is renting a photo booth. Living Social and Groupon often have deals of half-priced photo booth rentals if budget is a factor for you holiday party. A photo booth gives employees the chance to make a memory that lasts and gives them a keepsake to take home. Not to mention it will be the talk of the office come Monday morning!

–Having the right amount and type of food at your office party is another thing you need to consider. ”Food and beverage choices can make your party one to remember. Work with your caterer or chef to create a special menu just for your guests. Most of them love to share their creative talents,” Marquez said. People do not act themselves when they are hungry and at your holiday party you want your employees to be satisfied and not want to go home due to aching stomachs. Most people talk about the food after parties, and you don’t want negative comments.

“The food is important because it can make or break your event. People remember things like the food long after the event is over,” John Coffey with Greenfields said. When you are planning the event, try and have a general idea about the number of people attending so you can estimate the amount of food to last the night. Planning more is better than planning less; in the case of food overestimation is a good thing.

A thing to consider when planning food is hiring a professional caterer or local restaurant to bring and prepare the food for your holiday party. “Having someone else handle your food preparation allows you to worry about one less thing and focus on what matters most to you. Planning the perfect party, no matter how large or small, has many details to consider so why not work with someone who can customize a menu that works best for you and also provides quality food and drinks that are sure to be enjoyed by all,” Jennifer Jones at Raising Cane’s said.

–Something else to consider at your holiday party is whether or not to serve alcoholic beverages. “When alcohol is involved, special designated licenses are required and there is a time frame involved with securing those, so last minute planners could find themselves in a ‘dry’, boring party,” John Coffey at Greenfields said. At a holiday party, the last thing you want is one of your employees to over-do their alcohol consumption and then not make it home safely. If you do decide to serve alcohol at your holiday party, having a cab service available is an excellent idea. Or you can also ask around and find people who do not want to drink and see if they are willingly to be designated drivers and give their fellow co-workers a ride home after the party. If you go this route, consider a little token of thanks to the designated drives to show your appreciation. A limo service is also a fun, but more costly idea. If renting a limo is within your budget, a limo service serve as a special treat for your employees and a unique way to ensure everyone makes it home safely, and in style.

–If you are thinking about planning a bigger event, something to think about is hiring a professional party planner. “There are many benefits to hiring a professional event planner to plan and manage your company events” says Annette Marquez with The Perfect Occasion. “The first and foremost reason is it allows all your employees to attend as guests, not as the event planners and managers.” When there is no planner, some staff members will spend many hours planning the event in addition to their regular job responsibilities. On the day of the event, they oversee onsite details such as set up, décor, verify supplies have arrived, the food tables are set as agreed to and more. During the event they man the registration table, verify all the functions are on time including when the food is served and that the speaker or entertainer is in place as scheduled. If an unexpected issue arises such as several people who did not RSVP arrive requiring additional tables to be set and discuss the need for more food with the caterers. They may need to stay late to pack up supplies or handle other details. Not relaxing celebrations for these employees.

A professional planner manages all the details.  We are experienced in asking you questions that help design an event that matches your vision. As a professional planner, I seek out venues and vendors from my database that provide the products or services that will enhance your event.  The final choice is yours, but the time consuming legwork will be done, saving staff time and the indirect salary costs related to those tasks.

One of the most important values a professional planner brings to any type of event is the ability to ask you and potential suppliers the right questions. This may sound too simple, but it can save you money, ensure your vision is met and reduce stress. A professional planner will ask vendors questions you may not think to ask such as will you be required to hire additional security or obtain a permit or license.

They can decipher hospitality terminology, such as what a venue means when they ask if you would like a back of the house tour during a site visit or assures you that you will receive the BEO tomorrow.

Planners can help keep your budget in check by negotiating with suppliers and understanding how pricing works.  For example when a caterer quotes a $35 per person meal price, is the quote plus-plus (quoted price plus applicable taxes and gratuity) or is it all-inclusive (taxes and gratuity are included)?  If alcohol is being served, in addition to safe driving concerns, there is also a budget component. Consider a cash bar or providing employees only one or two drink tickets, people usually drink less at a cash bar than when liquor is free.  This will cover both the safe driving and budget issues.”

As mentioned above, food for your holiday party is incredibly important. When you don’t want to worry about planning your own food and how much food to get, besides hiring a professional planner, another option is to hire a caterer. “A professional caterer should think of all the details for the client and provide a carefree service. They should arrive to the event on time, set up the food, and provide service if it is requested and have all of the bases covered. Communication is the key,” Russ’s Market Catering Manager Heather Casebolt said. “Find out from the client if they would like the food just dropped off and set up, do they need additional equipment such as chaffing dishes, would they like servers to stay for the meal service, things of that nature.”

Heather has been a part of a lot of catering jobs and knows the things to do to make sure the party goes smoothly. She offers up these suggestions when catering a holiday party:

“Figure out your holiday party budget and plan around that. If your budget allows for it, buffets are most popular. If it is going just to be a small gathering for a few hours, a variety of appetizers may be a better option. If alcohol is going to be served at the party, choose foods that may be a tad bit heavier like cocktail sandwiches and heavier dips.

For some parities stick with assortments of appetizers. It is good to have a good assortment so that everyone can enjoy the food. Remember not everyone eats meat, so vegetarian options should be available. For larger parties, I think you can still do the appetizers, but the selection should be a bit larger. If the event will be an “entire evening” event, I would suggest a few appetizers to begin, and then follow with a double entrée meal.

Holiday parties are the one time of the year that employers and employees get to celebrate the trials of the year together. It is one of those times that employees usually feel appreciated. If at all possible, show your employees that they are appreciated and add the special touches to the event. Even a nice speech from the head of the company can mean a lot to everyone.”

Here are two great Lincoln suggestions for you to consider:

Raising Canes, located at 403 North 48 Street, has great chicken fingers to consider for your holiday party. “Our menu is very universal and we are able to directly work with businesses to customize all of our menu options to best fit your needs; we can serve parties with just a few individuals to even larger events with hundreds of guests. Our fresh, never frozen, chicken fingers are marinated for at least 24 hours, hand battered and seasoned then cooked to order; we offer Tailgate boxes that serve 25-100 or more chicken fingers with our famous Cane’s Sauce. And don’t forget about our delicious side and drink options: thick Texas toast brushed with garlic butter, fresh tangy coleslaw, fresh squeezed lemonade and fresh brewed sweet tea,” Jennifer Jones at Raising Cane’s said. Raising Canes also has a mobile onsite unit for parties where over 1,800 chicken fingers are needed. “We at Raising Cane’s would be happy to assist you in placing an order that works best; call to speak with a manager on duty. Our mobile unit also comes with an entire crew,” Jones said. “Be the life of your party and grab some Cane’s!”

Greenfields, located at 7900 South 87th Street, is also another great option to consider for your holiday party. “A professional caterer is beneficial to your holiday party first and foremost for safety! Serving safe food is paramount and professional caterers use reputable suppliers who also hold safety and sanitation in high regards. Professionals will also save you money and time in the long run by helping guide you through the process,” Coffey said. “Remember how many times you need catering vs. how many catering jobs your professional caterer does. Experience helps! Most caterers operate with a high degree of integrity and will tell you whether they can do something or not. The last thing you want is a bad reputation.” At Greenfields, they believe planning early is critical to a successful party. “As with any party, you want it to be successful and so success is in large part equal to time of preparation. Often times you can get discounts and secure locations and caterers when planning early reducing stress and headaches trying to pull things together last minute. Have a budget and an idea of what you want to do in mind,” Coffey said. “Know that some locations have their own catering license or use their own caterer while other places allow you to bring in your own. Get everything in writing. Know what you are responsible for and what you are holding the caterer responsible. Plan as early as possible, this gives you plenty of time to do your diligence and secure location, time, caterer, decorations, etc.”

If you are struggling with ideas of where to host your holiday party, there are many great, unique locations in Lincoln that offer up customized party options as well as themed parties that will really get your employees in the holiday spirit. “There are many ways to make your event memorable without breaking the bank,” Marquez with The Perfect Occasion said. “One way is to book a unique venue. Consider a performing arts theater, a museum, or an historical building as possibilities. There are many interesting venues in this area.” While not your usual social hall or restaurant, having your holiday party somewhere different and fun can give your employees a night to remember and talk about the next day at work. How about a bowling themed holiday party? Who doesn’t love wearing funky shoes and some employee competition to make the holiday party fun for everyone who attends. And, even if someone doesn’t like bowling, watching and relaxing a little office competition is sure to keep the others entertained, especially if snacks are involved.

“Bowling is America’s largest participation sport, with more than 73 million people bowling each year. Anyone can bowl and weather is never a factor,” Shawn Herout from Sun Valley Lanes says. “Food and drinks are available as well, as well as other amenities such as music videos, arcade and automatic bumpers for the kids. Many employers involve the employee’s families as well. While keeping this in mind, bowling is the perfect activity to keep both adults and children engaged and entertained for an entire evening. A bowling party is one of the few events that hit all aspects of a great event; food, beverages, fun, team-building, friendly competition and it’s something everyone can do. It’s much more fun than just sitting at a dinner while the boss goes ‘blah blah blah.’ Parties can be scheduled at many different times of day and they can be customized based on the company’s budgetary needs. Parties ranging in size from 5 to 300 are possible at our facility.” Sun Valley Lanes also offers themed parties if your want to take your holiday party to a whole other level. “Themed events are always fun. Events that cause people to play games against each other or do silly things like answer trivia questions or “Let’s Make A Deal” type of game are always a great time. Interacting with the party participants during the event prevents boredom and gives people the opportunity to be the center of attention regardless of their bowling ability (or lack thereof),” Herout said. “At Sun Valley Lanes, we incorporate non-traditional games into the traditional bowling experience, while still providing many different entertainment options. It adds excitement and keeps everyone engaged.”

Another bowling alley in Lincoln to consider for your holiday party is 48 Bowl. “48 Bowl provides unique and fun spaces to enjoy a great casual meal and drinks with your employees and clients and if you’re really brave, you can show them your bowling skills out on the lanes. Bowling can humanize your relationship with employees, as in, this is what you look like when you loosen your tie or kick off your heels,” Jennifer Davis-Korn at 48 Bowl said. “Everyone has a great time trying to keep the ball on the lane, everyone rallies around the person throwing a great game or kids with the person struggling to get any pins. All of these outcomes are perfect for getting to know your employees better and give you some experiences in common outside of the business.” At 48 Bowl they can also customize your party to fit the needs of your ideal holiday party. “We often have customers that throw their employees holiday parties that incorporate bowling, food and beverages. We can customize your package specifically to your budget and needs,” Davis-Korn said.

If you don’t think your employees would enjoy a night of bowling, another great option to consider is The Corky Canvas in Lincoln. “The Corky Canvas is unique, fun and everyone gets to take their painting home with them! Show your employees that you really appreciate them by thinking outside the box this year,” Angie Lewis from The Corky Canvas says. “Plus, you can bring in your own food or have it catered! We sell wine, beer, sodas, etc to get the party started!” Corky Canvas also suggests planning early to make sure all of their spots don’t fill up. “Book early to insure your employees are available so that you can make the most of your holiday party! December books up quick here at The Corky Canvas so book now,” Lewis said.

A place you can consider for a party location that is off the beaten path is Strategic Air & Space Museum. Strategic Air & Space Museum is conveniently located right off of the interstate exit 426 and only 15 minutes from Lincoln or Omaha. “The importance of the location cannot be stressed enough. No one will visit an event if it is too far or improbably for them do so,” Angela Roeber with Strategic Air & Space Museum said. When planning a venue for your holiday party, keep the size in mind also. “No one likes being in a crowded room. Hence, while choosing a venue, make sure that the place still has some breathing space after all of your guests have arrived,” Angela said. “The Strategic Air & Space Museum can accommodate a group anywhere from 20 to 2,000.” The last thing to think about when hosting a holiday party is service. “A venue’s reputation for service is critical,” Angela said. The service of the party can make or break your employees or client’s experience. “The Strategic Air & Space Museum allows for a relaxed atmosphere in an extraordinary setting. Let us manage the details so you can spend your time having fun and enjoying the museum.”

If having a party at a ballroom or a restaurant isn’t within the budget, another suggestion to think about is hosting the party at your home. Having a party where you live is more intimate and personal for your employees, which shows them you trust them at your house and are willing to invite them into your life. Having a party at your home is ideal for a small gathering, not more than 20 people, which is perfect for a small business to get to know your employees better. When having a party at your home, you need to decide if you want to entertain your guests by yourself, or hire entertainment. You must also decide if you are going to cook or hire a caterer. If a budget is an issue for you, you can always suggest a potluck to your employees. Having a potluck will offer everyone to feel like they are contributing and this also is more personal and allows the employees, and yourself to show off your kitchen skills.

Something to remember if you are having the party at your home is whether or not to serve alcohol. Most people like a nice glass of wine at holiday parties to unwind a little bit, but you must make sure everyone is responsible and gets home safely. Offering up a ride home is a good idea, or hiring a limo service to provide rides for the evening would be something unique and fun for your employees to enjoy.  A limo service also takes the stress of you, the host, so you don’t have to worry about your employees safety so you can see them Monday morning.

The holidays are a time of cheer and showing people just how much you appreciate everything they do for you all year long. While friends and families are usually shown this appreciation without a second thought, your employees deserve a little something special as well. Employees work hard all year long, and even something small can turn their year around and make them know that all the hard work they do all year is noticed and appreciated. If your business is large or small, throwing a holiday party is something that needs to happen, and something that really does need to be planned early. Planning a party early takes the stress of early and allows you to get other work done. Planning early also ensures you get the perfect place, caterer and entertainment you were hoping for so your employees can have a holiday party to remember. “You want your employees to have such a great experience that they will talk about the party during the year and look forward to next year’s event,” Marquez said.