With the holiday season upon us, you are likely scheduled to attend at least one company holiday party.  If you are not only attending the event but also in charge of the planning the event, here are some tips to make the process simple and stress free.

First, make sure you have a committee of employees that are helping you with the various tasks.  Not only can everyone be assigned different responsibilities but you will also be able to hear and consider the various ideas and interests from the committee members who are representing a large portion of the employee base.

Second, find out what your budget is and be sure to work within this amount.  Be sure to consider all of the “little costs” that add up.  Obvious items such as your invitations, location, food, and any entertainment are typically accounted for but don’t forget to research additional costs such as insurance, rental equipment, additional decorations, lighting, and/or transportation that may cut into your budget. 

Third, be sure to assign someone to be “in charge” the night of the event.  Share this duty throughout the night but make all of your vendors are aware of who to find for questions.  Ensure that the “in charge” employee has all of the information of what should be happening throughout the night so this duty can be shifted seamlessly throughout the night.

Lastly, enjoy!  Take advantage of the party to engage with coworkers outside of your typical work environment.  You’ll be surprised at what you may learn about your coworkers and don’t forget to grow the new work relationship all throughout the upcoming year.

Happy Holidays to all and may you have a happy and prosperous 2010!