Jazz Up Your Corporate Parties: Choose a Theme

Ok, here's the scenario: your boss has asked you to put together a fabulous company event. He wants it to be something original and fun. Where do you begin? The answer: pick a theme!

The theme you choose can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Having a specific concept will really help you focus your energies. Every little piece of the party can help support your theme, including:

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Food
• Giveaways or prizes
• Activities
• Handouts

For example, if you're hosting a company picnic and you're chosen theme is "Tropical Paradise," you'll want to make sure you've got a few coconut centerpieces for the tables, some fruity drinks with little umbrellas, Tiki torches, fun Hawaiian music, and perhaps you can even host a limbo or hula dancing contest. And, of course, everyone should get a traditional Hawaiian lei. The possibilities are endless!

The website, Party 411, offers a ton of suggestions for corporate theme parties, including Disco Fever, Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, Grand Casino, and Under the Big Top. Depending on the kind of event you're hosting, you may choose to go elegant and classy or silly and over-the-top. I've been to both and had a great time at each.

Don't Jump the Shark

There's an old term known as "jumping the shark" which indicates that point when something has gone too far, and it's gone from good silly to stupid silly. (Apparently, this golden nugget of hip lingo came from the show "Happy Days" and refers to the episode when the gang went to the beach and Fonzi literally jumped a shark while water skiing. Check it out on YouTube when you get a chance!).

When it comes to corporate events, themes require a delicate balance. You certainly don't want to go overboard in a bad way. But you can go overboard in a good way. You need to carefully consider your audience and the purpose for the event.

Consider the group:

• Are employees bringing their children and/or significant others?
• Are top level executive attending?
• Is the group made up of new team members or have these folks known one another for years?
• What is the average age of the group?

Consider the purpose:

• Are you honoring one individual or a small group of individuals?
• Are you celebrating a goal the entire group has achieved?
• Are you celebrating a specific holiday or occasion?

You'll also need to consider the party specifics such as location (will the venue be able to accommodate the theme?) and the time of day (a Masquerade Ball in the afternoon would seem kind of silly).

Lastly, be sure the theme matches your company culture. If the company is conservative and the employees tend to be more reserved, you'll want to choose a theme that is subtle and refined. On the other hand, if your company is energetic and playful, you'll want to select a theme that reflects these values.

You never want a theme to make your group uncomfortable or agitated. It's all in good fun and you want everyone to enjoy the event.