What's the best way to arrange a work Xmas do?

Errata

MSE_Joanne wrote: »

I work for MSE and I've been asked to organise MSE's annual Christmas party but it's a daunting task as there are 200 people who are employed by MSE. How can I come up with an idea everyone will be happy with?

Fixed it for you;)

BarryBlue

I once went to a Christmas do at a rugby club who a mate played for. It was billed as a curry night and all the players brought a pot of curry they had made at home. All the curries were put into a huge pot and mixed together and served with rice and nan. Typical of a rugby lot, perhaps, but it was an excellent night. Perhaps it would work for an office do too.

OldMotherTucker

MikeR71 wrote: »

Have it at the office and ask everyone to bring a dish and some drinks. Send the company money for party to charity. You will be well-unpopular but at least next year they won't ask you to do it

I like your thinking!

amistupid

MSE_Joanne wrote: »

I've been asked to organise my employer's annual Christmas party

If your boss is that skinflint Martin Lewis, they'll be so few attending you'll be able to hold it in a telephone box.

DKLS

It will be impossible to please everyone, so go traditional meal and knees up with entertainment. Budget is everything, if its sod all do the pub, if its a decent budget hire dwarfs they always go down well.

I did some work for a media agency, and the MD asked the staff if they wanted the traditional food, disco and !!!! up or go, karting followed by a !!!! up and the winner of the karting would receive an all expenses week long trip to New York. All the staff who attended loved it and the receptionist won which made me laugh considering she drove a scratty fiesta and the directors all drove sports cars.

lxpeanut

Errata wrote: »

Form a committee.

But then nothing would get done. I prefer the benevolent dictatorship approach. Tell people when and where its going to be and how much they'll have to pay then let them decide whether to come. Although I do ask people for comments or suggestions before picking. I also tell anyone who winges that they will have to organise next years funnily enough that usually shuts them up.

BarryBlue

lxpeanut wrote: »

But then nothing would get done. I prefer the benevolent dictatorship approach. Tell people when and where its going to be and how much they'll have to pay then let them decide whether to come. Although I do ask people for comments or suggestions before picking. I also tell anyone who winges that they will have to organise next years funnily enough that usually shuts them up.

That's exactly what happens where my wife works. They announce where and when. She then thinks up an excuse and doesn't bother going. To her, a couple of free drinks is heavily outweighed by having to spend time pretending to enjoy yourself with people you spend all day with whether you like them or not.

happyinflorida

You have my sympathy. I did this once and only once, I vowed never, ever to do it again.

The biggest problem you'll have is getting the money out of people.

Good luck, rather you than me and if you can get out of it, do so quickly!

moneysaving_convert

As the Christmas do is my least favourite task of the year, I would say speak to the boss and find out EXACTLY what the budget is and whether it includes partners or not. Also find out what the bosses are expecting for their money - no point booking karting if they expect a formal dinner.

You also need to bear in mind the average age of the group.

If the budget is quite large then you could look at some of the organised Christmas themed balls/dinners. All you have to do is book the number of tickets - no messing around with menus. (Avoid individual menu selections in advance: it's a nightmare to organise and everyone forgets what they have ordered on the night )These events are often in glamourous locations and have all the decorations you could desire.

At the cheaper end of the festive meal type celebration, we have had some successful Moroccan evenings - casual seating on cushions and benches and they usually have set menus with lots of small dishes to pass around and share. Again, avoid the individual menu selections!

Another consideration is the ethnic mix. We tend to go for the non-traditional Christmas meal because many in our company don't formally celebrate Christmas.

I would be interested to hear what you end up doing

Errata

amistupid wrote: »

If your boss is that skinflint Martin Lewis, they'll be so few attending you'll be able to hold it in a telephone box.

I doubt many have noticed the OP works for MSE.
It's quite bizarre that MSE employees are now posting their personal problems on forums and asking for help:think: