Skift Take
How can you set your events apart to ensure that your guests look forward to joining each year?
The holidays are upon us. Parties and events are starting to fill our calendars, but often times these outings become so routine that we dread attending them. Try out these 10 tips to add a little flare into your holiday season.
Use New Technology
New technology can be daunting, but the holiday season presents an exciting time to try out a new tool or program. Perhaps you have been waiting to purchase a certain software or learn a new technique. The end of the year presents a great opportunity to prep for next year and try out something new.
Provide Festive Favors
Event favors and giveaways can range from wonderful, useful gifts to items you may toss once you leave the door. Try to spice up your holiday event by providing a themed gift such as seasonal treats or candies, decorative items themed for the season or a candle with a holiday scent. Favors like these will go to good use and leave your event fresh in the minds of your guests.
Get Creative With Your Holiday Food
Creating holiday menus can pose a challenge because everyone expects different items depending on their culture or upbringing. Try sticking with seasonal flavors such a butternut squash and pumpkin for the fall, or cranberry and peppermint for the winter holidays. These will help to keep you on trend during the seasons.
Another great tool for making your food stand out is by making the process interactive. You could have a cookie decorating station for your holiday party or a s’mores station for your fall festivities.
Make the Most of Social Media
Social media has a presence at every event these days, so why not include it in your holiday party? You can create a hashtag to gather the pictures from your event, no matter how large your group! Even smaller family or office gatherings can engage through the use of social media.
Build your own photo booth and have your family, friends or coworkers share the photos using your hashtag. Following the event you will have all of your wonderful photos linked together! Little ideas like this can go a long way in providing group entertainment and increase interaction.
Change Up the Seating
Try out a new seating style at your holiday party! Open seating or a long family style table, might be just the right fit for your event. The holidays are about bringing people together and having fun. Make sure your space and layout reflect the vibe of the season and celebration.
Add Signature Holiday Cocktails
Play around with fun flavors in your drink selection as well. Use mint, cranberry juice, or cider. Drinks can be with or without the alcohol depending on the time or day or group of people. Either way, signature cocktails can be fun and add some excitement to your event.
Surprise Your Guests
Use the holiday season to add some fun and anticipation to your events! Perhaps you bring in a special surprise guest or send them home with an unexpected holiday gift. If you are planning a party for your staff or family, you could even keep the event location a surprise and host a scavenger hunt to the big reveal! A little mystery can go a long way in bringing energy to your holiday event.
Provide an Opportunity to Give Back
The holiday season brings out the best in most people. We all want to give a little more and celebrate the wonderful blessings around us. At your event, you could provide a chance for guests to donate to a good cause or host a silent auction where the proceeds benefit a local charity.
If you have a family event, perhaps a portion of your day is spent volunteering together in your community. Think of causes that you or your guests might have a connection to and find a way to integrate this into your holiday festivities.
Include Festive Kids Activities
Kids love the holidays! The fun-filled atmosphere and extra special magic that the season brings is beautiful through the eyes of a child. If you are hosting an event where children are welcomed, be sure to provide a holiday craft or activity that is geared towards them. Who knows, if they are extra well behaved, perhaps the jolly man in red could make an appearance and hand out a few gifts.
Amp Up the Customer Service
When everyone is in the holiday spirit the world just seems a bit brighter, but the long hours and stressful work of an event mean staff can be run ragged during these months of the year. Make customer service the focus for you and your staff during these holiday parties.
Try to start and end each day on a positive note and make sure your team feels appreciate for planning wonderful holiday events. The extra special feeling you provide with customer service will keep your guests coming back and have them asking you to plan many more events.
In Conclusion
The holiday season can become routine and forgettable, but with the tips above you are sure to add some pop and pizazz to your events. Attendees will be raving about the wonderful experience you provided and be looking to hire you as their planner in the New Year. Leave your mark at the next holiday event and add some fun and excitement into the festivities.
