Archive

Corporate Christmas Party Ideas

The office becomes a lively gathering place for joyous occasions and friendship. Organizing a company Christmas party is more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to bring people together meaningfully. You are learning how to create a festive environment that celebrates the season and gets your company closer together as a community, which is crucial. You can build a solid corporate culture relationship through themed extravaganzas, virtual festivities, team-building exercises, and philanthropic endeavors. Corporate Christmas party ideas that surpass all expectations are about to be unwrapped. 

6 Amazing Corporate Christmas Party Ideas

Here are several creative and welcoming ideas to liven up your company party.

Themed Extravaganza

Your business Christmas party would only be complete with a themed extravaganza to set the mood, whether it’s a jolly old nativity scene, a masquerade ball, or a winter wonderland. Having a theme for your party or event is a great way to keep everyone engaged and inspired to dress up in their holiday finest and bring out their creative sides.

Virtual Celebrations

In today’s technologically advanced world, virtual celebrations provide a practical and inclusive means of uniting teams in different locations. Gather your online friends and family for a digital Secret Santa exchange, online games, and a virtual dance floor for your virtual Christmas party. To make a happy virtual environment, take advantage of the festive backdrop options offered by video conferencing systems.

Activities to Build Teams

Plan team-building events that combine holiday cheer with opportunities to learn and grow as professionals. Think about organizing a company scavenger hunt with festive clues, games, a trivia night with a Christmas theme, or a contest to decorate gingerbread houses. Not only do these things encourage people to work together, but they also make the celebration livelier and more enjoyable.

Gift Exchange with a Twist 

Make it more exciting and memorable than ever before. To add fun and surprise, have everyone “steal” gifts from each other in a white elephant gift exchange. Alternatively, arrange a Secret Santa gift exchange, with each person receiving unique presents and inventive clues to help them find it.

Live Entertainment

Incorporate captivating and entertaining live entertainment into your workplace Christmas party to take it to the next level. You could arrange for a virtual performance by a famous artist, hire a local band, or hire a professional DJ. The lively energy and guaranteed unforgettable experiences provided by live entertainment make it the perfect addition to any occasion.

Delicious Food

A festive feast is a specific method to convey holiday cheer; they say food is the path to the heart. Whether you’re looking for traditional holiday fare or more imaginative, themed fare, you can find it all with the help of catering services. Set up a dessert station, a hot cocoa bar, and festive beverages for a decadent meal.

Contact Art of the Event For Your Next Holiday Party In Massachusetts

The purpose of a well-organized company Christmas party goes beyond mere celebration; it provides an opportunity to foster connections, elevate morale, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Infuse the event with excitement, fellowship, and appreciation, whether it’s a themed spectacular, virtual celebration, or humanitarian initiative. As the holiday season approaches, may your company’s Christmas party serve as a welcoming light, encouraging friends and family to spend quality time together outside work.

Your business Christmas party may be a hit with the help of Art of the Event. The specialized services will take your celebration to the next level with knowledge of event planning, virtual experiences, and imaginative themes. Allow Art of the Event to take care of the finer points so your company’s celebration reflects its culture. Fill out our contact form here or give us a call at (781) 670-9292!

The Top Tips For Your Upcoming Holiday Party

The holiday season is officially here, so it’s time to celebrate with an unforgettable holiday party! If you’re planning a holiday party, the process can feel overwhelming. After all, how do you please so many different people at the same party? From decorations to entertainment, here are some tips to ensure your holiday party is one for the record books.

Set the Mood with Festive Decor

One of the critical elements of a good holiday party is the atmosphere, and festive decorations are a big part of that atmosphere. Consider a theme that resonates with the holiday season:

  • A winter wonderland
  • A classic vintage Christmas vibe
  • A glamorous New Year’s Eve party

Start with a focal point, such as a beautifully decorated tree or a stunning centerpiece, and plan the rest of your decorations around it.

Use string, fairy, or candles to create a warm ambiance. You need to remember the details! Small touches like holiday-themed napkins, tablecloths, and chair covers can add charm to make guests say, “Wow.” 

Tasty Holiday Treats

Every holiday party is complete with delicious cocktails and snacks. Steer into seasonal flavors when building your menu, and plan a variety that can cater to different dietary needs and preferences. Create a trendy and showstopping charcuterie board and add a touch of sweetness with a dessert table featuring festive cookies, cakes, and chocolates. 

For the main course, consider a buffet-style setup that allows guests to mingle and graze at their leisure. This makes hosting much less stressful than trying to plate and serve every guest yourself! Prepare some big-batch holiday mocktails and cocktails in a pitcher or classic punch bowl. 

If you’re hosting a minor event with your closest friends and family, you can lower your party cost by asking everyone to bring a holiday-themed dish or beverage. Add some friendly competition by having a vote to name the best-tasting item of the night!

Make it Fun

Keep the party alive all night with a mix of activities and music. From a holiday-themed playlist to competitive games and hilarious white elephant gift exchanges, your guests should never be bored! The type of entertainment at your party will vary primarily based on your budget. You can splurge on a Santa impersonator or live music if you have more to spend. Consider timeless options like karaoke and board games if your budget is tight!

Contact Art of the Event For Your Next Holiday Party In New England

A successful holiday party creates a festive atmosphere and maintains it all night with good food, drinks, and entertainment. Make your party extra special this holiday season with the help of Art of the Event! Our team has years of experience planning holiday parties. Start planning your party by calling us at 781-670-9292 or filling out a contact form on our website.

Welcoming Employees Back to the Office Event Ideas

The office is like another family for employees, and it’s lovely to make them feel missed after a break. Welcoming your employees back to the office in a creative, fun way is a great way to boost their excitement and zeal to work. Readjusting back to the office life is not easy, because it’s stressful. But when you do something special for your employees on the first day, it can go a long way.
Below is some nice back to the office event ideas that your workers will thoroughly enjoy.

Have Small Personalized Gifts Ready for Them

Coming back to work and meeting a personalized gift is a great way to begin a new working session.
This act shows your employee that you genuinely care about them and appreciate what they do for the company. The gifts don’t have to be very expensive, just thoughtful and appreciative.

Organize a Meet and Greet

Organizing a meet and greet is a great way to welcome your workforce back to work. This gives employees a chance to get familiar with themselves and meet new staff. It is also a way of improving teamwork in the company because if everyone is united, there will be more productivity.
Permit Employees More Time to Interact
When your workers return to the office after a break, you could give them extra time for a week or two to socialize. The first two weeks don’t have to be “all business” as usual.
Giving your employees a breather helps them to ease back into the work seamlessly. It can be a tad difficult going back to “all business” after spending days away from the office.

Organize Team Building Activities

This is one of the best ways to welcome your workers back to the office. Team building activities like an office scavenger hunt or an escape room are a great way to boost resilience in the workplace.
Team building activities show the workers the importance of teamwork. They also create a pleasant environment while still allowing you to review your company’s regulations and policies.
Fun aside, these activities help sharpen the minds of employees because they involve quick thinking, critical thinking, agility, and wit. These characteristics are skills every good employee should possess.

Perform Surveys

Surveys are a great way to welcome employees back and show them that their opinions are relevant. Surveys allow employees to provide honest feedback about the company. They are also helpful to the employer because it’s good to get ideas from employees to know what can be improved on.

Utilize Art of the Event in the Greater Boston Area

There are many more ways to welcome your employees back to the office, but the ones listed above will give positive results. If you need help planning and executive awesome welcome back ideas, Art of the Event has got you covered. Contact us today for all your event planning needs! 781-670-9292

Top 10 Design Trends for Your 2020 Gala or Event

Whether you’re looking for an immersive theme for your next event or just some ideas for accent decor, we’ve got you covered with the latest styles to make your event unforgettable.

1. Bring in the 2020’s with 1920’s Glam

Harkening back to the 20’s of last century, create an experience that goes from rustic speakeasy with whiskey barrels and leather decor, to Great Gatsby Glam with crystal chandeliers, golden tables, and feather centerpieces. Notorious for flappers, jazz, and bootleggers, the Roaring 1920’s bring a rebellious spirit and glamorous style that still resonates with us today

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Golden Rules

A decadent, rich color, gold is the perfect color to make your next event shine. For a classic look, choose gold and glass furniture, or put flowers in gold vases on your cocktail tables. Or make a stunning stage set or photo op with a gold-accented backdrop.

 

 

 

 

3. Mark Your Calendars

As we embark on this new decade, we look forward as we also reflect. Celebrate your organization’s history or personal accomplishments with interactive timeline walls. Today’s displays merge visual and interactive elements to engage guests physically and mentally in your story using 3-dimensional signage, timelines and infographics, photos, videos, and props.

 

 

 

 

4. Change It Up

Have a long event or multi-day conference? Keep your audience alert and engaged with real-time changes in decor, interactive elements, and activities. Switching out elements mid-event, especially after long days of panels and training, keeps things interesting! This can be as simple as changing w few decor pieces and lighting to go from reception to after-party, or a full room flip. Using technology like A/V Projection Mapping, you can even change a stage or room dynamically as your event is happening!

5. The Shape of Things

 

Bold, abstract shapes add dimension and interest to backdrops and dividers, while shapely curves in your furniture helps soften up the space. Combine curved furniture and angled backdrops to create a dynamic space for your guests.

6. Are You Blue?

This year’s Pantone color of the year is classic blue, a “shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk.” In truth, all blues tones from beryl to deep navy are popular so feel free to take your pick or mix and match! Accent it with warm, natural colors and organic textures to create a chic lounge space, or pair it with white and silver for your classy gala.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Naturally Warm

Warm natural colors are also trending, including natural wood tones. Rustic woods make room for refined lighter wood designs. Make your natural, warm tones more interesting by adding lots of organic texture.

8. Biophilia

Biophilia is described as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive” by German psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. In design terms, this simply means to bring the outside in. Living walls, large trees and plants, running water fountains, and other outdoor elements add life to your event and engage your guests using the organic colors, textures, and even sounds of nature.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Opposing Elements

 

Two design trends merge when natural materials are combined with synthetic, contemporary ones. Upgrade that hedge wall with a neon sign. Enclose your plants in lucite cubes. These seemingly incompatible juxtapositions lead to stunning results!

10. Insta Moments

 

Let your guests share in the excitement with Instagram-worthy props, backdrops, and environments. Don’t just go for the traditional step-and-repeat – add props, 3D elements to interact with, or furniture to sit on for a unique experience your guests will want to share!

 

Decorate Your Lobby in the Spirit of the Season

Chiofaro_Food Harvest 2017_5374_e copy

GEvents_RusticHoliday_FourSeasons_12_6_13

 

First impressions are always important, so when your guests and clients enter your office make it count! Create a positive and long-lasting impression with decor that brings the spirit of the season into your space!

Our designers recommend keeping the lobby decor elegant and simple. Remember, less is more! If you oversaturate your space with decorations, you risk making it look cluttered and distasteful. The abundance of one decor element over another may offend some groups of people. Keeping it simple helps you avoid overlooking these decorative possibilities.

During the winter season, several holidays are taking place virtually at the same time. Be sensitive to all observers, and don’t forget about incorporating elements like menorahs for Hanukkah and kinaras for Kwanzaa.

LifeIsGood_Rustic_12_3_12

The holidays may seem like they’re far away, but time flies! The celebrations are right around the corner, and it’s crucial to start planning early. Start with planning your budget and looking for event designers and decorators.

Brightly lit trees wrapped presents, garland, and ribbon – use traditional decor to warm up your space. Try converting your lobby into a winter wonderland with white birch, sparkling faux snow, and candles to light up the room. Whatever you choose, your lobby decor should reflect your company’s aesthetic.

1 copy
Children's_Penguin present vignette small copy

 

Even small touches make a big difference: complement your existing decor with florals or small vignettes. This will help bring a pop of color and holiday cheer to your lobby.

 

Need ideas for your themed lobby decor? Call Art of the Event today for a custom proposal.

Why You Should Start Planning Your Holiday Party… NOW!

Fidelity_PresidentsGala_Boston Society of Architects_1712-1988__0039_e

 

Count how many weeks left until Christmas—surprise! If that’s any clue, the holiday season is approaching faster than you think. The time to start planning your holiday party is now—you’ll want enough time to secure a location, organize vendors like catering, and give employees enough time to mark it off on their calendars. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

 

There’s Competition

 

 

There’s a limited number of venues, and a limited number of desirable dates surrounding the holidays. Do you want to plan for a weekend or weekday evening?  Both of these options have their pros and cons, but don’t expect your desired space to be available, even if you choose a date you believe may be unpopular. The Holiday season is short!!  Rather than waiting and losing your best options, plan now and get the perfect venue for your group and budget.

Give People Time to Plan

 

 

The entire point of the holiday party is to reward employees for a year of hard work and show them that you care. If you give them notice on December 1st that the party will be December 10th, many employees may already have plans and obligations lined up. Rather than create resentment, give them as much time as possible to mark it off in their calendars.

 

Find Vendors

 

 

Many employee parties today, especially for bigger companies, may make use of a number of vendors, such as design and decor companies, catering, DJs, or even show performers. Regardless of the vendor you’re looking for, it makes sense to line them up as soon as you can. Why? Not only are you competing with other holiday parties, but you’re also competing with a popular season for other types of receptions. The city’s best catering options won’t still be accepting orders two weeks before your party date.

 

More Time to Get Creative

 

Fidelity_PresidentsGala_Boston Society of Architects_1712-1988__0045_e

 

 

It’s 2018. Does your holiday party reflect that? Coming up with creative ways to keep your holiday party engaging will have everyone talking about it for months to come.  Make your event experiential — this means giving your employees something to do during the event that will not only make it memorable but will help your team bond. Also important: think of social media-friendly setups. Custom design elements will get a great deal of photo ops.

 

When your employees are happy, retention rates soar — and that’s something that gets everyone in the holiday spirit. To find out more about organizing your next holiday party, contact the event planning design experts at Art of the Event for additional info.

4 Fun Ideas and Themes for Your Next Holiday Party

PRA_Whoville_Hanover_12_7_13_46_e

Why do corporate holiday parties matter? Most satisfaction surveys conducted by human resource departments indicate that feeling valued, and feeling like they are a part of something, are important factors in how employees rate their workplace satisfaction and overall productivity.

 

Holiday parties aren’t just about having a good time and celebrating another year finished (though that is a big part of it). Done right, holiday parties ensure your employees feel appreciated and happy to be a part of your company.

 

The planning part isn’t always easy, though. Rather than just calling it a “holiday party” and sticking a big bow on it, here are 4 fun ideas and themes you can embrace for winter 2018.

Festive Activities

 

There’s often a fine line between group activities that feel like fun, and group activities that feel like torture for your employees, but there are some pretty solid winners you can choose from. Consider activities such as:

  • Cookie decorating
  • Gingerbread house decorating (make it a contest: which team can decorate the best in ten minutes?)
  • Ornament painting
  • Holiday trivia contest (example: where did the Christmas tree tradition originate?)

 

The key to making activities fun is to allow people to engage at their own pace, rather than forcing it.  Also, remember to be inclusive of guest who do not celebrate Christmas.

 

Great Holiday Themes

 

Here’s a fact: people love themes. Don’t believe it? Test it yourself this holiday season with a theme like “winter masquerade ball” or “ugly sweater party.” Even a simple color party (everyone wear white and black, as an example) can heighten the festive mood. Other ideas:

  • Victorian Holiday
  • Santa’s misfit toys
  • Nightmare before Christmas

 

Great Non-denominational Themes

Swiss Chalet gala

WinterLodge_Wideshot_SMALL

Candyland

Fidelity_Candyland_SeaportWTC_1612-718_0205_e copy

Hollywood Glam

BWHos_Hollywood_Revere_0114-04

Fairy Tale Forest

JH_ITWoods_Revere_1615-323_0304_e copy

 

It’s The Giving Season

 

Chances are, your employees are great people, and the holiday spirit gets them in that give-back mood. Why not double your holiday party as a canned food drive? Ask every guest to bring a can or other non-perishable and keep a large box (wrapped to look like a gift) by the door for collection.  Also, ask a professional how to incorporate socially conscience gifting into your event as an activity!

 

Rather Than ANOTHER Mug…

 

Ditch the traditional $10 gift exchange and do something that nets more than just gag gifts. Have everyone bring a batch of cookies to share and a tupperware container—that way, everyone gets to take home some tasty treats for their families.
Planning a holiday party for your business doesn’t need to be a pain. Do it right, and your employees will be talking about it for a long time to come. Contact the event planning experts at Art of the Event for more tips and trips on organizing an amazing event.

This Is Not Your Ordinary Holiday Party

It’s that time of year again, invitations are piling in for company, client and personal holiday parties. The invitations are no doubt festive and inviting. Yet, they form your expectations to find yourself at another traditional holiday party boasting predictable decor – gold and silver hues, string lights here and there, garland trim and scents of balsam and pine. While this stirs your emotions and gets you in the “spirit of the season,” your thoughts wander elsewhere. Do all holiday parties need to consist of the same conventional theme?

The answer is …they absolutely do not! Why not try a non-traditional theme this season? Why not excite guests with an unexpected environment? At Art of the Event we love to think outside the box and feed the imagination of our clients. With our in-house design and fabrication teams, there are no limits to what we can build for you.

So, we got creative this year!

Enchanted Forest – An Archway sheathed with leaves and vines welcomes you into a secret, enchanted forest. Hanging gardens transform the ceiling and table tops are adorned with standing chandeliers and eye-catching floral arrangements. A mixture of candles and lighting effects create a captivating and intimate atmosphere for you and your guests.

enchantedforest

Candyland – Evoke the child within you this holiday season with a real life game of Candyland. Transform your event space to embody the Rainbow Trail. Greet guests with a ginger bread man in the Peppermint Forest and dazzle them with a life-sized Lolli Pop Forest. Of course, let’s not forget the King Candy bar!

candyland

Rustic Lodge – It doesn’t get more inviting than a cozy, rustic lodge. Whether your guests would prefer to gather around a stone fireplace and sip on hot toddies, or embrace the energy of a bustling ski resort, you are sure to impress with this combination of indoor and outdoor elements. Top off your decor with mountain trail signs, evergreens and fake snow and you have a quintessential seasonal event.

rusticlodge

Holiday Planning With Art of the Event In New England

At Art of the Event we take our clients’ visions and make them a reality. Each event is different and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver just that, unique, hand-crafted decor guaranteed to look the part. It’s not too late to start planning your holiday party this season and Art of the Event is here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today at 781-670-9292 to tell us about your event needs!

It’s Party Time! Book Your Holiday Event Early This Year

holidayphoto4

The air is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change, and before you know it, hello holidays! But waiting until December to figure out your holiday party puts you at a serious disadvantage. Dates fill up fast, venue availability becomes limited, and you can pay extra for rush fees and overtime.

holidayphoto2Let Art of the Event eliminate that stress and Get Started Now!

Our full service event design team can handle every aspect of your event. We have amazingly talented event designers that can conceptualize a theme and execute your vision, as well as an incredible DMC services expert who can help you select a venue, hire entertainment, and handle all of your transportation needs. From florals to floor-plans, the AOTE team can make it happen.

Remember: the earlier you set your date, the better your turnout will be. In that busy time of year when people get pulled in a million directions, having your party details locked down allows guests to mark their calendars ahead of time. Your holiday event will be something to look forward to instead of something to stressing over.

Give Art of the Event a call at (781) 670-9292 to start planning your holiday event today or request service online.

holidayphoto3

Winter Wonder-Glam: Five Fantastic Approaches to Holiday Parties

capture

A corporate holiday party is a perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships and show appreciation for your hard-working employees. Holiday parties foster better friendships, office culture, and improve team building!

While popular holiday party themes like Winter Wonderland Land and Rustic Holiday Lodge are always a good go-to, there are so many more options to explore!  Here are five trendy ideas to consider:

  • Interactive Events – Interactive experiences foster team bonding, essential to keeping staff morale high. Creative group activities also make for terrific icebreakers amongst people who haven’t interacted much previously. Divide attendees into groups and have them make something together- specialty drinks for a sip and stir, fun food crafts, and Holiday cards are all welcome ideas. Artistic endeavors such as group mural coloring and interactive graffiti walls are right on trend in 2016.
  • Charitable Team Bonding – A charitable twist on the above and the perfect gift for the holidays – have your teams pitch in to create a needed donation. Call or have your planner call local charities to see what’s needed and allowed at local shelters, food banks or other non-profits.  Build-a-Bike, Build-a-Bear and care packages of toiletry products can make for fun team building activities that make attendees feel great, and companies do something good for the community all at the same time!
  • Games, Games, and more Games – Pop-a-shot, air hockey, corn hole, pool, Xbox games  – you name it – a series of games placed around your venue or corporate offices will get your guest’s blood pumping! Having games within reach makes group interaction inevitable and a lot of fun. Casino games paired with red carpet and light decor are a perennial favorite!
  • Glam Themes – A modern twist on the classic Winter wonderland, Glamorous themed events make all attendees feel like VIPs. Mix in a step-and-repeat where your VIPs can be seen, photographed, and take the instant photos as a party favor! Add sparkling pillows to lounges and shimmering decor on tables for an upscale look. Full Glam theme decor such as Hollywood and Masquerade put a creative twist on the typical holiday party, sure to create a night to remember!
  • Whisk them away – Pull up the party buses and limos and go out for a night on the town!  A surprise show or sporting event lifts everyone’s spirits. Dinner prior to or a fun after party with desserts will give them time to further enjoy each other’s company.

Need assistance with your Company Holiday plans?  Call us with your ideas or your need for ideas. Our event producers and designers are happy to help! Contact us at 781.670.9292 or request more info online!


 

Call Now: 781-670-9292!

DESIGN & DÉCOR – PRODUCTION – FLORAL

Subscribe to our mailing list and receive information on upcoming events, promotions, specials and Art of the Event news.