You are the boss — and ultimately responsible for the office Christmas party. Follow this advice to keep your employees motivated, happy and safe this festive season.

As a manager you know that the most valued resource at any company is its staff.

To reward hard work and effort over the year it is a manager’s responsibility and privilege to throw a Christmas party.

Not only is this an occasion for sharing drinks with your co-workers and letting your hair down, it is also an excellent opportunity to motivate staff to hit sales and service level targets.

Use the following suggestions as a guideline to building up to and throwing the office Christmas party that your employees deserve.

Make the event an incentive

The prospect of an end-of-year bash can be a remarkable boost for your employees. Why not suggest that when certain targets or service levels are met another £100 will go behind the bar. You can also offer more than the typical bar drinking session by getting cabaret acts, themed parties and murder mystery nights to make the event truly something to work hard towards. Do this and be sure to have a motivated group of colleagues and an event to look forward to.

Choose a good venue

Location, location, location. Not just the mindless slogan of property television shows but a sound piece of advice when it comes to organising an office Christmas party.

Remember, an office party doesn’t need to be held in an office, in fact it almost always should not.

Choose a centrally located venue to ensure everyone can get there and back safely, make sure it’s not too pricey (especially if you are footing the bill) and choose a venue with plenty of room — some of the less sprightly co-workers may not be keen on standing up or dancing all night.

Bars, pubs, hotel events rooms and restaurants are all great venues for a corporate Christmas party.

Pick the date

Be sure to give your team plenty of notice before the party. The last thing you need is to pick a venue, pay the deposit and organise the entertainment only to learn that half the team can’t make it.

Be sure that all employees can keep the date free before making any final arrangements.

That’s entertainment

Now you have chosen the location you have to decide on the entertainment.

Depending on the scale and venue of the event you can range from a DJ to a live band, fancy dress to a cabaret show or a buffet to a three course sit-down dinner.

Consider your staff when organising the entertainment, what age-range do they span, what are their likes and dislikes, how many vegetarians?

Show your staff that you truly know them by throwing a celebration that everyone can enjoy. Most importantly, make sure you have fun yourself. Use the opportunity to get to know your workforce in a work free environment.

Sit down meals or buffet?

When it comes to setting the party up, there is the debate of whether to let the guests sit down and be served, or to give them a buffet line. Each has its pluses and minuses.

Regardless of which method you choose, do see what preferences people have as to what you will serve. Always make sure that there is a vegetarian dish, especially as vegetarianism is on the rise. Otherwise, choose which method would seem to fit your crowd better, and enjoy the party!