The company holiday party is a time to celebrate and acknowledge your organization’s accomplishments over the last year. Holiday parties do not have to be the same old DJ, dance, have a drink and work your way over to the boss type of events.  You can use this opportunity to encourage your team by highlighting their achievements.

Put a twist on the company holiday party and consider how you might recognize the team members that have contributed to the organization in big ways. This may be through length of service, top sales numbers or most community hours given.  You could name an hourly employee and manager of the year. Celebrate the company’s successes and bring any awards won to light again. The associates helped win those awards and get the company recognition, so it is important to revisit them.  A little pat on the back can go a long way toward keeping morale high in your organization.

Remember to change up the event also and not have everyone sitting down to a traditional dinner and PowerPoint presentation. Consider using your corporate mission as a guide for the theme of the celebration. If for example, your mission is providing excellent service with genuine comfort and care, ask yourself what screams comfort? Why not invite everyone to wear jeans, decorate with soft seating, lighting, and utilize gentle colors. Continue to comfort your guests with comfort food, warm beverage stations and beer and wine bars, and treat everyone to casual music. Recognize your guests the way they recognize your clients with care – show them you truly care about them and they will continue to give back to your organization as well.