No pressure, but 2022 is the comeback year of the holiday party! So, if you’re in charge of planning this year’s company holiday party, it’s time to get busy. Right now you’re still trying to figure out what to be for Halloween, but Christmas will be here before you know it. After a year of Zoom meetings and virtual team-building, your group is ready to get together. Sure, you could just plan a nice sit-down dinner, but, if you want to plan a holiday party your team will talk about for years to come, consider these ideas to plan an epic event that will get your team interacting and having a blast.
- Get out of the house!
We’ve all had enough time in the house. Look for an affordable, flexible event venue with plenty of room to mix, mingle and enjoy some fun holiday activities.
- Consider an unconventional time.
The Christmas season flies by for everyone, and there are really just three weekends in December that you (and everyone else!) can plan a holiday party. So, if you want your holiday party to be well-attended, instead of picking a Friday or Saturday night, think about a late-afternoon/early evening weekday party. Maybe start around 4:00 and wrap your event up by 8:00. That way, your party is less likely to compete with other holiday commitments, and your team members can still find time for family get-togethers and holiday shopping.
3. Do food stations instead of a sit-down dinner.
Your team is craving interaction. Sit-down dinners are lovely, but everyone will essentially be talking to the same four people for the entire evening. Instead, plan a menu of heavy hors d’oeuvres at various stations around your event space. With a variety of foods, you’re sure to offer something that everyone will like, and your group will also be able to visit with team members from every department.
And, if you want your food stations to be next-level, here are some ideas for food stations your group will love:
- Around the world. Take your team on an around-the-world culinary tour, with foods from various countries and cuisines. Each station can be paired with a signature cocktail from the area as well.
- Wine pairing stations. Ask your caterer to pair up with a wine expert and pair a wine with each food station, with an explanation of pairings and flavor profiles of each wine.
4. Plan some fun activities.
Even the most social among us may feel like we’ve lost our cocktail party conversation “game.” Make it super-easy for your team to interact by planning fun activities for the group. Here are just a few holiday fun ideas: 
- Large-format games. Ask your event planner to bring in large-format games, like Connect Four, Giant Jenga, Checkers and Cornhole. Encourage your group to form teams and offer prizes for the winners.
- Cookie decorating stations. Ask your event planner to source undecorated holiday cut-out cookies and create a holiday cookie decorating station, with to-go boxes for your guests to take cookies home with them. Have a photographer or photo booth so everyone can document their artistry, and share these images on your social media.
- Movie night. Find a venue that can show a fun holiday movie (or a movie montage!) and have it playing throughout the night. Offer a self-serve popcorn machine and other movie theater treats.
- Holiday Game Show or Trivia. Consider a holiday game show or trivia night. While some of your team members are playing, the rest of the team can be the “studio audience” and cheer them on. The game shows can be about holiday movie and song trivia, with some inside-track trivia only your team will know.
- Consider a theme.
If you really want your holiday party to stand out, consider making it a themed event. It’s sure to be memorable, and you can tie in your food and drink options with the theme. Here are just a few ideas:
- Caribbean Night. In the chill of December, bring the warm vibe of the Caribbean to your group with potted palms, Reggae music and dancing, Caribbean food and rum punch, casual island-wear.
- Pajama Party. Let’s face it…we’ve all gotten pretty used to working in our jammies. If your team can’t bear the idea of dressing up for the holiday party, don’t fight it. Embrace it. Encourage everyone to wear their most stylish (or, most comfy) PJs, and serve comfort food and hot chocolate to complete the theme.
- 80s Night. Even the “youngsters” on your team can get into the 80s. Encourage your team to dress in their best 80s garb and rock the dance floor with some Pat Benetar, Madonna and Depeche Mode.
- Crank up the tunes!
Speaking of music… it’s one of the most important parts of any holiday celebration. (Along with stellar food and drinks, of course.) Make sure you’re really thinking about what kind of tone you want to set for your event, and consider hiring a live band, DJ, or even just some strolling Christmas carolers to bring a truly festive feel to your holiday party this year.
Where can you host one of these epic holiday parties? Maven Space!
Maven Space has the perfect spot for your group… large or small. Maven Space is the newest, most unique event space in downtown Indy. With nearly 10,000 square feet of flexible event spaces, Maven Space can accommodate groups from 30 to 300.
You’ll love working with the Maven Space events team. Maven Space features the fabulous food and top-notch service of the Fork & Function catering team. Chef Sarah Showalter and event designer and coordinator Nakia Miller, along with their team of passionate service professionals go above and beyond to delight your guests. Along with our crackerjack event planner Karen Kennedy, the Maven Space events team can create a holiday party your group will never forget.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
Those December dates will be booked before you know it. Book your holiday event of $2500 or more by October 15th and receive a complimentary hors d’oeuvre for your group, plus five free Maven Space Day Passes. View our Rates and Menus here, and let’s get planning!
Co-founded in 2022 by Indy Maven CEO Leslie Bailey, Maven Space is a coworking, social and event space in downtown Indianapolis, designed with women in mind, but open to all. Located in the historic Gibson building, Maven Space features cool architectural details, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows and cozy soft seating with loads of intimate conversation areas and meeting pods. For members, it offers a fitness center, coworking kitchen with free Hubbard and Cravens coffee, sparkling water on tap, unlimited free snacks and a lending library. Coworking and social memberships start at just $95 per month.