The First Step to Planning a Corporate Holiday Party: Setting the Foundation for Success
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for companies. Between closing out the quarter, finishing annual projects, and celebrating achievements, planning a corporate holiday party can feel like a big task. If you’re asking yourself, “What’s the first thing I should do when planning a company holiday party?”, you’re already on the right track.
At The Lotus House in Las Vegas, we’ve seen countless corporate gatherings go from idea to unforgettable celebration, and we know that the very first step makes all the difference. If you are looking to plan the celebration instead of using our in-house event planners, here are a few steps to help!
Step 1: Define Your Goals and Guest List
Before booking a venue or brainstorming themes, start with the basics: who is coming, and what’s the purpose of the event? A holiday party can serve many roles from employee appreciation, client entertainment, or a chance for team bonding outside the office. Identifying the “why” helps shape every decision that follows.
Ask yourself:
Is this a full-company celebration or just for your department?
Will you be inviting partners, clients, or plus-ones?
Do you want the event to feel formal, casual, or somewhere in between?
This ensures you choose the right venue size, catering style, and entertainment.
Step 2: Choose a Date Early
Company calendars fill quickly in November and December, let alone event venue space, so locking in your date early is essential. Give your team enough notice to RSVP and adjust their schedules, it’s the easiest way to boost attendance.
Step 3: Secure the Right Venue
Once you know the goal and have a rough guest count, it’s time to find the perfect backdrop. The venue sets the tone for your event, whether you want an elegant sit-down dinner or a lively cocktail-style party. At The Lotus House, for example, companies love the flexibility of our indoor and outdoor spaces, which can be tailored to both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations suitable for all company sizes.
Step 4: Build Around Your Budget
The budget should align with the goals and guest list. Knowing what you can spend on food, drinks, décor, and entertainment will help you prioritize. The Lotus House provides a vetted list of preferred vendors that will be able to assist with a span of budget types.
Step 5: Add a Personal Touch
From custom cocktails named after your team’s inside jokes to branded photo backdrops, little details make a big impact. They show thoughtfulness and help the event stand out from the rest.
Final Thoughts
The very first thing you should do when planning a company holiday party to define the company goals and guest list. Once you know who you’re hosting and why, the rest of the pieces including date, venue, catering, and entertainment, all fall into place.
At The Lotus House, we’re here to help make the process stress-free. Our versatile event spaces in Las Vegas are designed to bring corporate holiday parties to life, blending elegance with ease. Whether you’re hosting 50 people or 250, we will help you curate an evening that any team will talk about well into the new year.
