Organise an office morning tea or luncheon celebration and inject a bit of fun in the working day!
How to Make an Office Party Calendar
- Organise a birthdays list so no one gets forgotten.
- If you don't have a designated person who is responsible for organising parties, make a party roster. Once you have an office party calendar for the year (birthdays plus other special events), divvy it up by fortnight or month.
- Our top tip – have two or three people rostered on for party duty at any one time to spread the workload – they can remind each other, and there's no problem if someone is off sick.
- If you do have a designated person who organises the office parties, make sure someone else steps in for their birthday. And don't leave the receptionist or admin assistant to organise Office Professionals Day – ouch!
- Add major events like Valentines Day, Office Professionals Day (Secretary's Day) – see Secretary's Day Gift Ideas, End of Financial Year, Christmas in July, Halloween, Melbourne Cup and of course Christmas
- For other party events, see our monthly party idea pages:
- And, of course, add any other of our general party themes that take your fancy.
Office Party Tips
- Finger foods are usually best. Simple finger foods include crackers or crunchy veg sticks and cheese or dips, pikelets (from the supermarket) with jam and cream, fruit, and the usual chips and lollies. Get a cake for birthdays. And a bottle of sparkling water, fruit juice and soft drink.
- Buffets are good for major events but take more time and organisation. Easy basics like a hot chicken, ham, bread rolls and butter, cherry tomatoes and washed salad leaves go a long way, or pick up some ready-made platters.
- Stick with disposable plates, cups, and utensils or someone will be stuck with a mammoth cleanup task – see party catering supplies.
- Who pays? If you don't have a budget, you could ask everyone to chip in – but be aware that not everyone might want to contribute their lunch money to office parties, so keep it modest.
- Build a small collection of party decorations (streamers, candles, special birthday-person hats, etc) for office use – see party decorations.
Office Party Rules
If you're planning a social event and night or on the weekend, especially where alcohol is available, make some ground rules and ensure everyone know them. Go further than telling everyone they shouldn't drink too much and embarrass themselves, make it a rule that everyone should watch out for each other.
- No giving drinks to anyone who has already had too much.
- No games that encourage over-indulgence.
- If someone is getting into trouble, help them out. No “bystander effect” excuses.
- No illicit drugs.
Gifts for Workmates
- For office birthdays, see Birthday Gifts Australia.
- For something a bit special, see BCL Hampers and Gifts.
Gifts for a Work Team
To celebrate a team achievement, project completion, or a job well done
- Caricature King – Unique caricatures made from a photo you supply. Get digital caricatures from under $50 and print your own special cards.
More Adult party ideas
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- Catering catering supplies, balloon decorations and much more
- Costumes
- Decorations
- Party Lighting disco lights, Chinese paper lanterns, glow in the dark and much more
