With summer behind us and sweater weather officially in full swing, it’s time once again to start thinking about bringing a little cheer to the office. Last year’s fall and winter office celebrations looked a lot different from years past. Many offices were still fully remote, and those that weren’t needed to adhere to pretty strict safety protocols. This year, things are starting to feel a little more normal, but some precautions are still a good idea. 

This quick-start guide will help you get organized whether you’re brainstorming ideas or figuring out final touches.  

Safety First

While we all hope that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, the Delta variant is still looming and vaccinations rates have plateaued in some areas. To keep your team safe and healthy, here are a few basic best practices to consider:

• Choose individual meal packaging instead of traditional tray service to help minimize shared spaces and utensils while also offering employees a highly personalized meal option.
• Request contactless delivery, a very convenient option that many of our restaurant partners have adopted over the course of the pandemic. 
• Invite partner teams to join remotely via Zoom, and send a catered meal to their office. 

Holidays for Everyone 

The end-of-year holidays tend to hog the spotlight, but there’s no reason you can’t spread the fun out over the next few months. Halloween is a great excuse to have a party—check out 15 tips for planning the perfect Halloween get together. And even though Thanksgiving is all about going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, it’s also a great time to show your appreciation for your employees. Those are just a few ideas for ways to make the party season last. There are so many opportunities to celebrate other cultures and traditions at this time of year—once you start the conversation, the inspiration is sure to come.

Food for Every Palate

Each holiday has its own traditional fare, but why not mix things up a little? How about a vegetarian Thanksgiving for a change of pace, or you could choose an entirely different kind of cuisine, like Mexican, Chinese, or Italian. Go ahead and have some fun making your own rules. You might be surprised to know which six dishes are the most popular for holiday catering. It’s also important to consider any dietary restrictions or preferences that people on your team may have. Working within dietary constraints isn’t as hard as you might think, especially if you’re prepared up front. 

A Party on a Budget   

If you’re planning several company parties over the course of the season, you will likely want to keep a close eye on your overall budget so that you don’t blow it all on the first shindig. From meal and decorating tips to the best way to handle the bar, we’ve got budget-conscious party planning tips to help you stretch your dollar as far as it will go. For example, don’t assume you have to go with a pricey main course to impress. It can be more cost effective and fun to build your menu around bite-sized appetizers.

All the little details

Anyone who has planned a party knows that success takes more than picking the right venue and curating the right menu. There are plenty of small details to manage, like how much food is enough for your crowd and how much should you tip your delivery driver? Did you order the right utensils? What about drinks and desserts? 

Don’t forget to have fun. 

More than anything, a holiday office party is a chance to have some fun with your team. It’s an opportunity to show your appreciation, let your hair down (a little!), and pause for some much-deserved revelry and cheer. Planning everything out well in advance will help ensure that things go smoothly on the day of your event. And, with any luck, even you will be able to kick back and enjoy the celebrations. 

So raise a glass and toast the team for pulling through another not-quite-normal year. And feel free to lean on us for some help finding the perfect caterer for your event. With more than 75,000 restaurants to choose from, we know there’s one out there to help you create the party of your dreams. Getting started is easy at ezCater.com. Cheers!