The Office Party - It Doesn't Need To Be Dreaded!

Be it a Christmas Do, a Retirement Party, or aare opting for a more formal black tie event, you will
summer social event to thank staff for their hardprobably wish to hire a stage, a lighting rig and PA
work or recent sales figures, your get-togetherEquipment for Speeches. A small Awards Ceremony
should be fun for everyone involved with theis a nice touch for these occasions; prizes don't need
business.Your Office or workplace may be theto be large or significant, a bouquet of flowers or
cheapest but not necessarily the best venue for yourluxury hamper for Margery the Cleaner for being in
event. Consider your staff too - would they wish toyour employment for 20 years, pair of cufflinks for
give up a sunny summers day or a cold wintersColin who is retiring, a gift voucher for Cheryl in
evening to attend a function in the same place thataccounts who is getting married. You could hire a
they spend most of the days of the year? Probablylook-a-like to present such awards and gifts, just to
not! Works parties should be fun occasions foradd a flourish to festivities! Humourous anecdotes
people to relax after working hard, thus your officefrom the past year could be mentioned here, but be
may not be the best place for this. If you havecareful not to cause any offence, for those who
many sites dotted around the country a centralshould make a speech but have no idea what to say
location is essential to ensure that no office feels leftcould invest in the assistance of a professional
out. You may wish to book up rooms for your staff,speech-writer! You could also use the stage for your
or ask for a small donation towards theirEntertainment; hire a magician, hypnotist or comedian
accommodation, however do remember that as ato perform a set, as well as getting some Live Music
rule, the more money you ask for, the less peopleon stage for dancing later in the evening. There are a
will wish to attend. If all sites are within a local vicinity,wide variety of Musical Entertainments available; from
you should look into hiring some coaches oryour classic Disco and Karaoke, through to Live
mini-buses to safely transport your guests to andBands such as Ceilidh, Jazz, Country & Western,
from the party. For smaller parties an entrance in aBlues, Tribute and Original Bands. Whilst your guests
limousine, with a glass or two of champagne, can beare eating, consider what will also be happening; will
a magical start to the evening.If there is ayou provide some subtle background music, perhaps
Conference Centre, or Suite of Function Rooms in aa solo vocalist, a harpist or piper? Or would you
Hotel or similar, which you frequently use forrather have some entertainers who can mingle with
meetings, seminars or training sessions, do enquire asyour guests, for example Caricaturists, Mind Readers,
to whether you would be able to hire the rooms forMagicians or Tarot Readers. Circus Performers such
your party. Your employees should be familiar withas Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers and Jugglers could quietly
the location and you may be able to get a discountamuse your guests whilst they are dining and then
on your next room hire! Local Restaurants may becreate an amazing display on the main stage later in
able to offer both their venue and catering. If youthe evening.Thinking of amazing displays, you should
are planning a large function, you may wish toconsider the decoration of your venue to coincide
consider using a Temporary Structure such as awith the theme of your event, for example, if you
Marquee, as they are adaptable if you wish toare holding a Casino Night, with Black Tie and Ball
progress from a day to evening party, and can beGowns as your dress code, your invites and other
used for an assortment of occasions, from anstationery should be equally as smart with classic
elegant a la carte dining area or housing a Las Vegascrisp decorations, such as black and white balloons,
style casino to morphing into a massive dance-floorsimplistic floral decorations and classy ice-sculptures.
or a circus complete with fairground rides! If youYou may wish to have a grand finale of a firework
chose to hire a Marquee, you will need to decide ifor laser display to end the evening in a memorable
you need to also hire Portable Toilets, Mobile Bars forfashion. If this all seems a bit much, you can hire
both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Dance Floors,Venue Decorators specifically for these finishing
Stages and Furniture Hire for items such as Chairstouches.For an unusual event, why not consider a
and Tables.Most Corporate Events are large, wellday out? There are many options available to
organised affairs. Although this should be anbusinesses for team building events, or even just a
enjoyable party, don't forget that the company is stillfun day out Paint-balling, Go-Karting or have a day
on show to your Employees. Imagine thetrip to an Amusement Park! Hire a coach, ask your
personalities of your staff and try to achieve ancaterers to make a suitable picnic and let the sun
event which is both entertaining and also upholds anyshine!To remind guests of the reason you are holding
sort of company stature; if the MD doesn't know thethe event, you may wish to include your company
accounts clerk, they may not feel comfortablelogo on your invites, and personalise other items such
seated next to each other for a seated dinner.as balloons and small novelties to give away in goody
Organised Theme nights such as a Murder Mysterybags at your party; if using your party as a
or Race Nights are good ways of mingling older withnetworking event, you could ask some clients to
younger or junior with senior members of staff'sponser' or donate goodies towards these goody
without formal seating plans. For smaller businesses orbags. Having some T-shirts printed to give away as
for companies in which most staff know each other,prizes in a quiz, or printing a personalised
lighter style catering, such as a finger buffet, Pigmini-magazine for the event can be of minimal outlay,
Roast or Barbeque, would mean that guests can chatbut will ensure that your business is remembered.
and mingle whilst they dine. Check with your catererYou may wish to hire a professional photographer, or
and venue before hiring further crockery, linens orvideographer so that you can include the pictures in
glasswares. Good ice-breaking games include hiringcompany newsletters or other future publications. A
giant inflatables such as a Bouncy Castle or a Bungeedvd of the event would be a lovely gesture to
Run. A Bucking Bronco will always draw crowds andpresent to your guests.PartyPages.co.uk is the UK's
laughter, or hire a go-karting track. Imagine the joyfavourite online Party Directory, the one stop shop
of knowing you've beaten your boss! Most Officefor all your party requirements. After 15 years
Party Problems are linked with over indulging inperforming as Uncle Wiggy, a prestigious Childrens
alcohol, do ensure that your guests know whatEntertainer, Barry is an expert on all things
behaviour is expected of them, and make themcelebratory!
aware if any potential clients will be attending!If you