5 Tips to Kickstart Your Holiday Event Planning

I know, I know…I’m not ready to think about cold weather and snow either, but NOW is the time for people who want to plan incredible holiday parties to start moving into action!

Whether you are planning a social holiday celebration for your friends and family, or you have the exciting yet daunting task of planning a year-end celebration for your company, if you haven’t already started, now is the time to act to set yourself up for the best outcome.

Use this kickstarter to help you get the ball rolling in the right direction:

1. Visualize your event

Take the time to think about what success will look like when you pull it all together. Ask Alexa to play holiday music, close your eyes and try to imagine this party. 

• Where are you? Who is there?

• What decorations are around you? 

• What are you eating and drinking? 

Although right now you may just have a vague sense of some of these things, visioning your event is the fastest way to kick off your planning and start pulling together the details you will talk about with your potential venues and vendors. 

Pro-tip: Your vision and event goals are the anchors of your planning, so don't forget to take the time to check in with your vision often as your plans progress. Download our FREE Planning Guide for more inspiration.

2. Decide on a date and location

Timing is everything! The right time for your event is the date that works for you, your venue, and the must-have guests on your list. The busiest time for holiday events is during the first 3 weeks of December and many companies hold their employee holiday / year-end celebrations in January. 

Pro-tip: If you have the ability to hold your holiday party on an off-peak date (consider a weeknight instead of Friday or Saturday) you will have a greater selection available to you. But no matter what date you are considering, the early bird gets the worm, and getting that date secured early is key!

Festive cocktails and mocktails are all the rage this year! We can give you customized signature drink ideas that will leave your guests feeling jolly and warm all over.

3. Determine your budget

A successful event starts with knowing your priorities and being able to work and negotiate strategically to achieve your event goals, and this all stems from clarity on your budget! Your budget is often influenced by many factors and right from the start you want to have a general idea of what you can (and want) to spend for this event.

Even if the sky is the limit, it is important to have a guideline to be sure you are staying on track with your planning and can quickly move through each step of the process. 

Pro-tip: Did you know employee holiday parties are 100% tax deductible for a business?

4. Lock down a caterer

Important decisions (and memories) are made over food! Early December is a peak season for caterers, and getting your favorite chef or caterer means getting in front of the crowd by planning early and having access to the people you want to work with. 

Before you contact potential caterers, you will want to have some idea about what and how food and drinks will be served. This will save you and potential caterers valuable time during your proposal stage. 

Need help determining what style of service will be best for your event? MAXevent can help with our holiday planning consultation package.

5. Secure entertainment

As important as the food and drinks are, what guests will be doing throughout the event is equally as important. Vibe and ambiance leave lasting impressions.

Some things to consider during this phase:

• Do you want to hire or designate an emcee to keep things moving?

• Do you envision interactive games or activities like a gift swap?

• What kind of music do you want to hear, and how is it going to be played?

If this is a bigger event you might have a DJ or a band, and perhaps consider a special attraction like a caricaturist, living statues, or giant board games. You don't need to include all these things to have an amazing event, but entertainment drives a huge part of the experience so plan early to get the right fit for your celebration.

BONUS TIP: MAXevent is here to help with all of your event planning needs! Contact us to learn how our personalized guidance will save you stress, time, and money while achieving incredible results.