do your research – most bands have a pro- file on facebook or YouTube and you should also try to see them perform live to see how they interact with their audi- ence. Go for a band that has a great range of songs spanning as many genres or decades as possible.


entertainment and food – the possibilities are endless. Harriet Charlesworth, cor- porate event organiser at Eventa (www.eventa.co.uk) suggests the following popular Christmas themes:


4


Make your Christmas party go off with a bang!


EVENTS We’ve got five fabulous ideas to ensure you organise a memorable Christmas party!


1


Of course you’ll have a budget to work to – but research from Best Par- ties Ever has revealed that the major-


ity of companies (68 per cent) are unaware of the tax relief benefits associated with hosting a staff party. “An office Christmas party is one of the most tax efficient ways of rewarding staff, with £150 tax allowance per head and no national insurance con- tributions,” comments Tim Stevens, man- aging director of Best Parties Ever (www.bestpartiesever.com).


University advises that events must be managed in the right way: “It is important to include employees from the outset and ensure that the right messages are con- veyed, particularly in times of austerity.


2


Professor Cary Cooper CBE, pro- fessor of organisational psychol- ogy and health at Lancaster


If a company has had a successful year and feels it wants to reward staff, then managers should start by asking employ- ees if they would like a Christmas party. Engaging with them and involving them in the decision making process will make them feel worthwhile and valued as part of the team.” So before you start planning a fancy dress themed event or a tradi- tional sit-down dinner circulate a ques- tionnaire and get your colleagues’ opinion on what they’d like to see.


the majority of its clients asking for a live band above singers and dancers. But remember – the right band can really get the party going while the wrong band could spell disaster. Before you commit


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One of the biggest trends that Best Parties Ever has seen this year is a return to live music – with


1 1920s: The Roaring Twenties is very on trend at the moment and is a fab- ulous theme for any event – hire flap- per dancers and request a strict fancy dress code.


1 Winter Wonderland: This traditional atmospheric winter theme is particu- larly popular as it creates a truly magical Christmas party experience.


1 Hollywood: This theme can be done in many exciting ways – roll out a red carpet for guests to make an entrance, hire celebrity lookalikes or host your own Oscars Ceremony.


1 Masquerade Ball: An elegant theme, you can dress the venue in a decadent design and ask guests to wear flam- boyant Venetian masks.


1 Black and White: Ideal for a sleek, sophisticated setting – incorporate the colour scheme with the décor and invi- tations and hire a black and white che- quered dance floor.


them truly involved. Carol was respon- sible for organising Ricochet TV’s festive bash and turned to Stick It On for help (www.stickiton.org.uk). With no prior DJ expe- rience necessary your guests will get the opportunity to work the decks, for 15 min- utes of their favourite floor-filling songs. “I am still being told by many people: ‘this has been the best party’. Not a single per- son had any complaints and for 140 peo- ple that’s pretty amazing! The lucky DJs had an amazing time on the decks while the rest of the company supported them with some pretty nifty dance moves!” said Carol. And if you’re joining us at the Exec- utive PA Magazine | Hays Awards you can apply to be a superstar DJ – as we have Stick It On on hand for the evening to get the party going. E


5 JULY/AUGUST 2013 | WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.COM 39


Think outside the box for your entertainment and rather than hav- ing your guests just watch it get


Themeing is one way to pull your party together and can be carried through to the invitations, décor,


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