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What makes a good office party?

juliplease — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:58:09 -0800

What makes a good office party? I'm in charge of throwing the holiday party for our group. They're great people and everyone gets along, but it's sometimes hard to get people to leave their desks, so we're going to do it in the office. This will also work out very well for our budget. I've suggested a Friday at 3pm so people can start their weekend early.

I don't think people will mind staying in the office, because when we've traveled in the past it seems a little inconvenient for everyone insofar as getting people rides, parking, and/or getting folks back to Metro. We went bowling last year and I think it fell a little flat.

There are probably going to be 20 people there or so, and that includes significant others who can make it. I have a budget of about $200. I'll get decent food and beverages and I think we're going to make a spiked cider or something fun. I can do the cheesy decorations and lights or whatever, and find some holiday music. (Is the Peanut's Christmas album appropriate?) We're also doing a Santa's Junkyard type-thing, where people are to bring something valued under $10.

It's going to be a modest event, but I have some time on my hands to plan and these people deserve a decent holiday party. What else can I do/bring/buy/provide to make sure people have a good time? Have you been to an office party that wasn't lame? How'd they do it?

What does an American need to know about an Irish work party?

pineapple — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:52:04 -0800

Tell me about the office Christmas party in Ireland. I'll be attending my first this year, as an American employee. I know enough to know that, culturally, these are very different from their Yank counterparts. But that's about where it ends. I've been told by some of my American colleagues that "the women get much more dressed up, and for many it's considered the social event of the year." My Irish colleagues just sort of smile wistfully with memories of debaucheries past and say, "You'll have a great time."

Google has turned up articles like this one, which only underline the differences without clarifying them.

I don't want to drill for further info from co-workers for political reasons, but neither do I want to plan poorly and show up ill-prepared. I don't want to be a stick in the mud because I'm used to the formal rules of a US office party... nor do I want to cross the line and make any career-limiting moves.

Have you ever been to an Irish office Christmas party? Please do tell. (Or, if they are similar throughout the UK, feel free to share your take on a British party, etc.)

Looking for a generic timeline of events, insight on cultural mindset, how professionalism does or doesn't come into play, how spouses and guests fare, are gifts given among colleagues or from employer to employee, the ranges of dress code (I'm really worried about that one, as I am very conservative in my formal wear at American events, yet don't want to look like a prudish schoolmarm in Dublin).

Does everyone stay overnight? If everyone has rooms at the hotel, is there partying before and after? Do people really write anonymous reports to the local news? How does anyone manage to stay employed after such a weekend?

If it varies based on industry, size, etc., then assume your average mid-range paper merchant, 100 employees or so.

Does the Irish holiday season play a role? With no Thanksgiving, when do the holidays "kick off," so to speak?

(Oh, and any insight as to the concept of Resident's Bar will be appreciated. If you are staying at the hotel, then there is no last call, basically?)

Good clean jokes.

pithy comment — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 21:03:53 -0800

I am going to an office holiday party with a joke telling contest! Alas, my only 2 jokes are terrible. What are some good (clean) jokes to add to my (and our collective) repitoire? Also, please suggest any tips on good joke delivery -- in general and specific to each joke. I think jokes that tell a story would be best, rather than knock-knocks and other one-liners. If they are customizable, that's definitely a plus. Jokes needn't be holiday related.

Office Party Etiquette

keep it tight — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 21:15:49 -0800

I have just been asked to a female friends office Christmas party...If I was in High School and this was the prom, I'd have a corsage for her...any etiquette for a date to an event like this? Its a dressy-business-casual dinner...