December is here, which means it’s time to get in the spirit of the season and start planning your company’s holiday party. If you’re a small business owner, you know that coming up with company holiday party ideas on a budget can be a challenge. While you want to bond with your team members and show gratitude for the hard work everyone’s done all year, you can’t afford to go over the top with your spending.
But with a little creativity, you can still throw a fun, festive end-of-year bash without busting your budget. Here are six cheap holiday party ideas that’ll inspire your staff members to sing “Jingle Bell Rock” all night long.
1. A White Elephant Party
When you host a white elephant party, the evening’s entertainment is all in the gift exchange. The goal isn’t to buy a useful present that someone might actually want; instead, participants are encouraged to bring the most outlandish, amusing, and impractical gifts they can find. White elephant gift swaps provide hours of laughter, and are a unique way for your employees to bond outside of an office environment.
2. A Wine and Paint Night
For something a little more laidback and artistic, arrange a private wine and paint night for your employees. Paint parties are generally affordable and can be held in a venue of your choice. Choose a wintry or holiday-themed painting for your employees to replicate and bring home with them at the end of the night – or for extra team building, try creating a collaborative canvas that you can display on your office walls.
3. A Group Volunteer Event
The holidays are all about giving, so what better way to celebrate the season with your team than by volunteering with a charitable organization? Organize a toy and blanket drive, serve a hot meal to those in need at a food bank or soup kitchen, or spend time caroling and playing holiday games at a local nursing home or senior center. Doing good deeds together will help to build team morale – and strengthen your business.
4. An Ice-Skating Excursion
Even though it rarely gets below freezing in San Diego, there are still several places around town where you can experience a seasonal wintry chill. The Kroc Center, The San Diego Ice Arena, and UTC Ice all offer both public hours and private party packages to get your employees out of their chairs and into their skates. After you’re done, you can go out for a low-cost lunch or happy hour drinks, and share stories about your time on the ice.
5. A Gingerbread House Contest
Nothing brings out team spirit like a little good-natured competition. Working solo or in pairs, let your employees’ creativity sparkle with a gingerbread house making contest. Provide them with the cookies and the frosting, pipe holiday music in on the speakers, serve hot chocolate and popcorn balls as treats, and set a timer. For an added twist, you can post the results on your company’s Facebook page and let your customers decide on the winner.
6. A Private Argentinian Feast
Small company holiday party ideas can still include big delicious meals. To treat your employees to an unforgettable dinner that’s still within your budget, take them to Puerto La Boca in Little Italy. We serve the finest Argentinian cuisine – from premium grilled beef to freshly caught seafood to traditional pasta dishes, served with fine Argentinian wines or specialty South American cocktails. Our private dining room can accommodate up to 14 guests for an intimate sit-down meal, while larger parties of 20 or more can be served in our main dining room. And we’re happy to customize a special holiday menu that will make all your employees smile.
Host your company holiday party at Puerto La Boca Argentinian Restaurant in San Diego
With the New Year fast approaching, the time to book your holiday party at Puerto La Boca is now. Call us at (619) 234-4900 to check our availability for a private group dining experience, and make your reservation today.
