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