Companies come to the party

By ANGELA McCARTHY

It may seem blindingly obvious, but the best way to be assured of throwing a successful office Christmas party is to ask staff what they might want to do.

Not asking is a bit like buying a teenager shoes without consulting - not a good look, and often a total waste of money.

On-to-it companies ask for feedback about the previous year or set up committees that incorporate the office moaners as well as people across teams to ensure everyone has a say in the one big collective 'thank you' for the year.

"It is about making those connections, so pull the young fellas aside and ask them what would be cool," says Sam Harrowfield of Phenomenon Promotions.

His office is going kayaking this year for Christmas. Harrowfield doesn't believe employers need to spend a fortune to throw a good party but they should get people out of the office and do something out of the norm, like abseiling, a beach picnic or go-karting.

Even the good old Kiwi barbie can be turned into something special with activities such as silly awards or re-enactments of classic moments during the year, suggests Harrowfield.

He rattles off other possibilities, such as having someone teach the salsa or cha cha, booking a comedian or a band. A bouncy castle shows a bit of thought about the kids.

Market research company Colmar Brunton ensures its annual Christmas party is a winner.

Party costs are part of the company's budget - not a last-minute scramble for coins - and a Christmas party committee meets regularly to organise it.

Human resources director Gabrielle Carman says the Christmas party thanks people for their efforts and reinforces company values about team work and having fun.

"Themes are a good leveller because they break down barriers across the company," says Carman.

"Themes help people relax. We try and choose themes that are really easy and inexpensive. We also offer ideas about dressing to the theme."

Parties in the past have included a tent, dance floor and catering on North Head, with people dressing to the theme of woodland creatures (people came as lumberjacks, fairies and animals), and a dinner-and-boogie at a vineyard restaurant.

This year the theme is cowboys. Venue? Currently under wraps. Budget? Not for public consumption, but insiders say it is generous.

Waitemata District Health Board is known for throwing a good kids' Christmas party for employees' families.

Little touches, like management volunteering to run the barbecues, is hugely appreciated by staff, says Sue Lim, personal assistant to Waitemata District Health Board's chief executive Dwayne Crombie.

The four-hour event - which has got larger during the past five years - can include clowns, face painting, lolly scrambles, jugglers, racing games, and fancy dress competitions.

Themes include fairies, Harry Potter, pirates and the circus. Sponsorship covers a lot of the costs.

Office Christmas parties can range from $200 for a barbecue to event-managed productions costing from $20,000 to $100,000 plus. Whatever the cost, fancy dress or themes are in. According to event managers, parties around films Moulin Rouge and Lord of the Rings were big last year, but nothing is standing out for 2002.

Eventmakers director Lovonny Gray says everyone wants functions over the same time period, which means putting on up to four or five a day.

This year only one client wants a traditional Christmas theme. However, they have more than 40 established themes such as Fire and Ice, The Matrix, James Bond, Space, Fantasy Island on offer, and create new ones on request.

The themes are all-encompassing: mermaids and tap dancing crabs serve food for nautical themes, Fright Night sees coffin-shaped eclairs. Audio-visuals - projected images and sound effects - are an integral part, as are ongoing happenings through the evening.



Malcolm Jordan of The Total Event, which does just corporate Christmas parties, is also terribly busy right now.

Tinsel and fairy lights are rarely required although he did do a blue Christmas tree theme recently "which was amazingly styley and visually dynamic".

One client has requested a Christmas golfing theme, which will include a custom-built golf course with a bar at each hole, surrounded by 4.5m to 6m trees.

Jordan, an events veteran of 17 years, says most clients see a Christmas function as a great way to say thanks to their staff - "although there are still some companies that invite the top three-quarters and leave the warehouse people out!"

And what do event management companies do for Christmas?

"Zilch," says Jordan. "We're exhausted. Last year we did 24 [parties] jammed into three or four weeks. It doesn't leave much time for us."