by AJW Team
After years of virtual get-togethers, companies big and small are ready for some lavish parties for their employees. There’s just something about a corporate holiday party Miami-style that is extra special, and as corporate catering specialists, we can’t wait to hear about your party.
So, why is it important to host a holiday party? There are a couple of reasons. It boosts morale and allows you to celebrate your team’s efforts—which, in turn, builds a positive and collaborative culture that breeds loyalty and dedication. Team members want to feel appreciated, and events like a company holiday party will do just that.
Fun cocktails and mocktails are a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit! You can welcome them with these on a passed tray or a station at the entrance, or have a menu at the bar for them to order from. Here are a few of our favorite Signature Cocktail ideas:
There’s no holiday flower quite as ubiquitous as the poinsettia. So, naturally, making a cocktail inspired by the colors of this bold holiday bloom is a must! We mix sparkling wine, pomegranate juice, and a touch of orange liqueur, garnished with a sprig of fresh mint, creating a festive and refreshing drink that captures the essence of the holiday season.
A festive twist on the classic cocktail, combining tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, and a hint of cinnamon, garnished with a sugared cranberry and a sprig of rosemary, delivering a merry and tangy taste that brings joy to any celebration.
A harmonious blend of smooth bourbon, tart cranberry juice, a touch of zesty orange, and a hint of aromatic spices, garnished with a sprig of rosemary, creating a warm and flavorful drink that embodies the spirit of the season.
Mocktails are a must at any holiday party these days!
Our non-alcoholic Christmas punch is a delightful blend of pomegranate juice, ginger ale, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a splash of sparkling water infused with aromatic cloves and garnished with cranberries and citrus slices, offering a tangy and effervescent beverage that captures the festive essence of the season without alcohol.
Deciding what kind of food to serve at a holiday party can be challenging. There are a few things to think about:
So, depending on the answers to those questions, here are some thoughts and dishes for holiday menu inspiration!
Appetizers are the best way to welcome your team and get them excited about the party! We love fun appetizer stations or passed hors d’oeuvres before a plated meal—or a combo to help meet the needs of your group. Check out these amazing appetizers for inspiration:
Plated meals automatically give an upscale and celebratory feel when they’re composed artfully by our chefs. We love this option if you are incorporating some sort of awards dinner, annual giving, or annual meeting component to the holiday party.
Client favorites in past years are entrees like:
There’s a total misconception that buffets are tacky. You can make them into incredible surf and turf stations like we did with this corporate holiday party. Think lobster tails with fresh melted butter, a ceviche station with all the fixings, tuna tartare wonton chips, a carving station, a savory shrimp and grits station, and more. Pass dessert (this event did mini chocolate covered churro cones) to make it even more interactive or put the desserts on fun displays throughout the room.
We think buffets are a great way to get team members engaging, interacting, and mingling at the stations. And you can elevate and get as creative as you want with this.
Entertainment acts as a catalyst for memorable experiences. You want your employees to walk away from this event feeling appreciated, excited, and filled with happy memories of their time together. It’s these “fun” experiences that can help spark bonds between teammates that actually help inspire their work together!
Here are a few ideas to consider:
Everyone loves a band! But take it up a notch and add some dancing, too.
Think dancing with instruction, though, so everyone feels like they’re on an equal playing field. Line dancing or a salsa class can be fun options!
This is where the ugly sweaters come out to play…. Everyone loves a little friendly competition. You can do this in so many ways, but here are a few we love:
The holiday season is synonymous with giving. So, give back to your local community, to causes that impact or are impacted by your business, and give back to your team for doing such an incredible job.
This could come to light in the way of welcoming charity partners to your party to receive checks, raffles for employees with high-ticket gift items, donations made on behalf of each employee to a charity of their choice—or all of the above!
One thing that holds many companies back from hosting holiday parties for their team is support. Everyone has their day-to-day roles, and it’s hard to balance planning events on top of that. So, pull in a professional third party like AJW to plan a corporate holiday party Miami team members will talk about until next year’s party!
Let’s chat about your vision and get to planning. The end of the year will be here before you know it!
