• If celebrating off-site, choose a week night to help with your budget.
• Provide plenty of food, plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment.
• Remind employees that the same behavioral policies and rules at the office apply at the party.
• If you choose to offer alcoholic beverages, take a few minutes to review your insurance policies for alcohol-related events.
• If serving alcohol, limit consumption by providing a limited number of drink tickets to employees of legal drinking age. Stop serving alcohol before the party officially ends.
• Provide cab fare or have available a list of cab numbers for the ride home. Let employees know if discounted hotel accommodations are available nearby should they want to stay overnight following the party.
• Ask members of your organization to assist with overseeing the party to make sure everyone has a safe and fun evening.
• If company business presentations are made, keep them short.  Remember this is a company party, not a full-blown business meeting.
• If honoring years of service of employees, acknowledge them as one group. Remember to keep the speeches to a minimum.
• If your budget allows, give out raffle tickets for a few door prizes.  The prizes don’t have to be expensive.
• Do have your management team mingle and introduce themselves to employees. It only takes a second to shake someone’s hand and everyone likes being acknowledged.
• Remember to thank the employees who pulled all the pieces together to make it a great celebration.

A well thought out party can be a lot of fun and help build relationships in your organization. Decide in advance what your expectations are for your gathering and enjoy your time together.