3 Ways to Make Your Holiday Event a Hit

Planning your event around the holiday season can be a challenge. There are many things to consider: what date will be most convenient for my group? How do I ensure that the decor is festive but nonspecific? Which holiday traditions can I incorporate and which ones should I avoid?

We've come up with a few simple tips and tricks to follow when planning during the holiday season:

• Select a convenient date
  Have you heard January is the new December? Frequent travel and family time make mid-December through early January a dead zone for many professional's calendars. But, what happens when the holiday rush is over? Give your attendees something to look forward to and keep the festivities going with a holiday-themed event in January.
  
  
• Make decor festive, but not too specific
  The holidays give most of us the warm and fuzzies, and there's no harm in elevating that sentiment at your event; however, stay away from decorations that are specific to one religion or tradition (Looking at you, Santa). Bring the joys of the holidays to life by sticking with traditional color schemes like bold reds, silvers or golds. A little fresh greenery can go a long way while making sure all attendees feel respected and included.
  
  
• Offer diverse culinary options
  The holiday season is notorious for its bold, nostalgic and specific scents. For some, it's the mouthwatering fragrance of a traditional ham dinner. For others, it's the tantalizing scent of holiday spices. Nonetheless, food is the focal point of nearly every holiday celebration, and it should be no different at a meeting or event. Offer a few classics but make sure you're providing something that will please every palate. Consider positioning food stations around the venue that feature different cuisines and let your guests decide what catches their fancy. Top it off with a hot cocoa bar that offers all the works for a sweet way to end the day.