A well-executed company holiday party in Austin is more than just a celebration—it’s a strategic tool that can elevate your brand and strengthen connections. Here’s how:
A company holiday party provides the perfect setting for face-to-face interaction in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Networking and personal relationships are the cornerstone of business success. Inviting key clients, partners, and prospects to your event not only allows them to engage with your brand on a personal level but also positions your company as thoughtful and relationship-focused. These moments of connection foster trust, loyalty, and brand advocacy, creating opportunities that go beyond the party. Your clients will meet your team members working so hard for them behind the scenes. It’s about making your brand memorable by delivering an experience that feels personal, warm, and authentic.
From a marketing standpoint, a holiday party is a golden opportunity to reinforce your brand identity. The way you plan, execute, and host the event communicates your values—whether it’s creativity, professionalism, or innovation. From the décor and theme to the food and entertainment, every detail should reflect your company’s unique personality. Plus, it gives you valuable content for social media, newsletters, and your website. Sharing photos and videos from the event enhances brand visibility, humanizes your business, and positions you as a company that values both its clients and employees.
But the benefits don’t stop there—a great holiday party is also a huge boost to company culture. When employees feel valued and appreciated, their engagement skyrockets. A well-planned party helps celebrate their hard work, build camaraderie, and foster a sense of belonging. It’s a chance for employees to relax, bond, and build relationships, especially if many work remotely. The shared experiences create positive memories and deepen team connections, which, in turn, lead to better collaboration and higher morale. By hosting a holiday party, you’re investing in your team’s happiness and unity, ultimately boosting productivity and creating a more cohesive work environment.
In short, a comany holiday party in Austin isn’t just about fun—it’s a multi-faceted tool that can strengthen relationships, enhance your brand image, and solidify a positive company culture.
1. Pick the Perfect Theme
A well-thought-out theme brings your party to life and adds an extra layer of excitement. With both employees and clients in attendance, you’ll want a theme that strikes a balance between fun and sophistication.
Here are some wonderful ideas for your company holiday party theme:
Victorian Christmas: Step back in time with an elegant Victorian-inspired holiday party. Think rich fabrics, lace, antique decor, and candlelit tablescapes. Deep burgundy red, lavish seasonal greenery, gold metallics, and crystal elevate the look. This classic theme exudes warmth and grandeur, offering a timeless and festive experience for your guests. Serve delicious fragrant Wassail, and bring The Night Before Christmas poem to life.
The opulence of a Victorian Christmas is unmatched.
Norman Rockwell’s Americana Holiday: Bring the nostalgic charm of a Norman Rockwell Christmas to life with cozy, homey touches. Use red plaid, twinkling lights, and vintage holiday decor to create a classic Americana vibe. Incorporate ice skates, old-fashioned sleds, and warm apple cider to complete the look. A vintage truck or car dressed up in holiday decor is the ultimate portrait opportunity.
Winter Wonderland: Transform your party into a frosty dreamland with glimmering silver, ice blue, and white decor, twinkling lights, and icy accents. Snowflakes, frosted trees, and elegant winter tablescapes create an ethereal, magical atmosphere. Go all out with a snow machine creating holiday magic not normally seen in the Austin and Hill Country area, especially once the party moves to the dance floor. Rose Haven’s all-white background couldn’t be more ideal for this theme!
Holiday Movie Night: Whether indoors or outdoors if the weather is cooperating, Rose Haven has the perfect spaces to set up a movie screen for your favorite holiday movies. The possibilities are endless! Classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ or ‘Miracle on 34th Street’. Comedies like A Christmas Story, ‘Christmas Vacation’, ‘Elf’, and ‘Home Alone’ will have guests laughing their heads off. Animated Classics like ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ , ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’, and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ are shorter, fun shows. Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie? You decide. Have guests dress as their favorite characters!
Holiday Masquerade Ball: Elevate your party with an air of mystery by hosting a masquerade ball. Encourage guests to dress in formal attire with festive masks. Pair the event with live music and elegant decor to create a refined yet celebratory ambiance. Maybe even bring a Bridgerton flair for the ultimate elegant soiree.
Retro Holiday Bash: Travel back in time to a mid-century holiday celebration. Think 1950s decor, silver Christmas trees, silver tinsel everywhere, big fat vintage Christmas lights, and a rock-n-roll soundtrack—let Elvis croon away about a Blue Christmas! You can even encourage guests to dress in retro holiday fashion to complete the theme. Bring ‘A Christmas Story’ to life, red wagons & the ultimate ‘Fragile’ leg lamp!
Hill Country Holiday Hoedown: You can’t get more ‘Austin’ than a Texas-inspired holiday party. As a former Texas dancehall and bar for the prior century, Rose Haven is absolutely IDEAL for this fun theme! Incorporate rustic elements like barnwood, hay bales, red bandanas and holiday lights strung across Rose Haven’s outdoor spaces. Serve local BBQ and pair it with locally-brewed Texas craft beers and cocktails for a festive touch. Have guests wear their most festive cowboy boots and hats!
Ugly Sweater Party: This hot trend from the past few years isn’t going away anytime soon! Encourage guests to don their craziest sweaters and have contests with prizes for various categories of ugliness. Even if it’s still 80 degrees outside, as our ‘holiday’ weather can be, we’ll crank down the air conditioning and everyone will have a blast.
Gatsby Holiday Party: Channel the Roaring 20s with a glamorous Great Gatsby-inspired celebration. Think Art Deco accents, long feathers everywhere, champagne towers, a live jazz music band, and a lavish black-tie dress code.
The versatility of Rose Haven allows you to transform the space to fit any of these festive themes.
2. Pick the Perfect Venue
The venue you choose sets the tone for your company holiday party in Austin, and Rose Haven Event Venue is the ideal space to host both employees and clients. With our flexible indoor spaces and gorgeous outdoor areas, Rose Haven can accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. You can transform the space to match any theme, whether you’re planning an elegant soiree or a more laid-back celebration.
Last year, we had an enchanted forest theme and the marquee letters by
Events by Poppy & Co changed colors to enhance the magic.
Many frazzled business owners and employees just rent out a room at a restaurant, thinking it will be easier and everything is just all in one place. Avoiding decisions seems like the easy way out. But at a restaurant, you’ll just be taking people to dinner, which is nice but boring and not anything memorable. Restaurants aren’t going to let you decorate very much to your theme. They often have very high food and beverage minimums and a limited menu. It’s not private, it’s noisy, and the crowds and parking can be an issue.
A private venue may seem like it’s too difficult to take on, but if you choose a venue like Rose Haven, where we have all the resources at our fingertips, we can put your party together for you quickly and easily, and often are less expensive for the venue, food and bar than the restaurant F&B minimums.
Plus, Rose Haven’s charming setting at the Gateway to the Texas Hill Country creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere—perfect for any holiday occasion. You have the use of the beautiful Veranda and grounds all to yourself, to continue your theme and greatly expand your options for entertainment and games.
Only minutes from Austin, located directly on Highway 290, Rose Haven is super-convenient to everything, yet away from the crazy Austin traffic. We also have free onsite parking, and easy access for shuttles and rideshares.
3. Pick the Perfect Menu
Whether you’re hosting clients, employees, or both, the food and drink should cater to a range of tastes. The holiday season is perfect for indulging, and with Austin and the Texas Hill Country offering some of the best culinary experiences in Texas, you can serve up something truly special.
- Buffet, Food Stations, or Plated?: For more casual themes and budget-friendly options, consider food stations that feature a variety of options, such as a carving station with holiday roast beef, a taco bar, or a charcuterie spread with local cheeses and cured meats. Interactive food stations are very popular and on trend. For a more formal theme, plan a plated dinner with a full-service caterer. Another interesting option is a catering concierge company, which can work with any of your favorite restaurants to procure the food, and then provide the delivery and full service during the event.
- Themed Holiday Menu: You’ve selected the perfect theme for your holiday bash, now work with your caterer to plan a menu that continues the theme. They will be just as excited about creating around your theme as you are! Give them some creative freedom and enjoy the spectacular results!
- Signature Cocktails: Set up a bar with signature holiday cocktails like mulled wine, spiked cider, or peppermint martinis. Include a few fun themed mocktails and non-alcoholic options like sparkling cranberry punch to ensure there’s something for everyone. Serve warm, traditional Wassail and Spiced Apple Cider for perfectly themed flavor. Our in-house bartending partner, Peak Beverage, are ‘Wizards in Winter’ (a little Trans Siberian Orchestra reference there!) at creating impressive mixology!
- Seasonal Treats: Add a sweet touch to your party with a dessert station filled with festive treats like gingerbread cookies, mini pies, and peppermint bark. A hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes is a fun addition for guests of all ages. For a real ‘wow’ factor that your guests will share on social media (giving you free marketing!) and will be talked about for years to come–consider a Food-Network-worthy sculpted centerpiece cake. Bring Holiday Wars to life through one of Austin’s incredibly talented sugar artists.
- Dietary Restrictions: With allergies and food sensitivities so prevalent now, it’s important to offer menu options free of the top allergens. It’s also important to consider and respect dietary lifestyle choices such as vegan and vegetarian.
4. Pick the Perfect Entertainment
No holiday party is complete without entertainment. Since your guest list includes employees and clients, it’s important to strike a balance between fun and formal. Here are a few ideas to keep your guests entertained:
- Live Music or DJ: Austin’s rich live music scene makes it easy to hire a local band or DJ to bring your event to life. Choose a mix of holiday classics and modern hits to create the perfect soundtrack. Be sure to have a dance floor and encourage guests to dance the night away.
- Photo Booth: Set up a holiday-themed photo booth with props that match your party’s theme. This is a great way for guests to have fun and take home a memorable keepsake from the evening.
- Interactive Games: Keep things light with holiday trivia or a friendly “best-dressed” competition for your clients and employees. Or get really serious with retro video games, pool tables, foosball and more. There are several awesome local Austin vendors that offer a wide variety of games and entertainment. Think indoor and outdoor games, as the weather in Austin is usually still very pleasant early in the holiday season.
- Prizes and Gifts: It IS the season of giving! For clients, branded gifts or personalized holiday ornaments make great takeaways and keep your company top of mind. For employees, consider offering local treats as a token of appreciation. You could even organize a raffle with prizes that reflect the local Austin or Hill Country flair. And of course, that holiday bonus for your hardworking ‘elves’ is the MOST appreciated treat of all! (No Jelly of the Month Club!)
games, dancing, or just enjoying the beautiful weather and season.
5. Pick the Perfect Date
Carefully consider the best date for your company holiday party. Weekends are often insanely crazy during the holidays, with many events vying for attendees. Perhaps a weeknight would work better. Discuss with your team for their input.
Holiday schedules fill up fast, so send invitations 4-6 weeks in advance. For client appreciation parties, a more formal invitation can set the right tone. For employees, get creative with a fun, festive design. Make sure to include all the key details and a clear RSVP process.
6. Pick the Perfect Budget
Well, maybe there’s no such thing as a perfect budget! Unlimited is always fun, haha. But do consider what your company can spend overall on a holiday party, and break that down into the elements that make up the party and determine those costs.
If you’re on a tight budget, which is of course, very common, you’ll want to weigh what are the most important elements and where you can save. A savvy designer and decorator can guide you on how to create your theme without breaking the bank. The venue, bar, and food are usually the biggest ticket items.
7. Handle the Details with Care
With the main elements of the party in place—date, venue, theme, menu, and entertainment—it’s time to focus on the logistics. Attention to detail ensures the event goes off without a hitch.
- Transportation: The Texas Hill Country is beautiful but spread out, and downtown Austin and the main roads around Austin are super-crowded with limited available parking, so make sure guests can get to and from the party safely. Consider providing shuttle services, especially if you expect out-of-town clients or employees. For those driving, offer rideshare discounts or valet parking options.
- Accommodations: The Hill Country is known for its cozy bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals. Since hotels may be limited in the area, it’s a thoughtful touch to provide a list of recommended Airbnbs and local inns for any out-of-town guests. Local companies like Casago curate many types of vacation rentals and can make it easy for you to provide lodging advice.
- Planning: Adding the planning of a big company holiday party to the already-full plates of employees can be overwhelming to them. If your company is big enough, you may have corporate event planners in house. If not, consider engaging a professional planner to ensure a successful and seamless experience. Lean on your venue for planner and vendor recommendations!
Get Excited like Elf About Your Company Holiday Party!
“Buddy the Elf here, and guess what? Oh my gosh! So, here’s the thing—company holiday parties are like THE BEST thing ever! 🎉 They’re not just about snacks and decorations (although, let’s be honest, those are super important too!)—they’re about bringing everyone together! It’s like spreading holiday cheer to your whole company and clients! 😊✨
Think about it: when you throw an amazing holiday party, your clients feel so appreciated, like they’ve just been given a big, warm hug from Buddy the Elf. It shows them you care and keeps them coming back, like syrup to spaghetti! 🍝🤗
For your employees, it’s the perfect chance to say, “You did it! Congratulations! World’s best cup of coffee!” (Okay, maybe not coffee…but you get the point!) A party gives them that extra sparkle, and everyone loves being recognized for their hard work. 🏆
And then—oh boy—don’t even get me started on the networking! A holiday party gives everyone a chance to chat, connect, and share ideas, just like “singing loud for all to hear” brings people together. It makes your company shine, like a big star in the sky. 🌟
So, don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins! A holiday party is the perfect way to appreciate clients, show employees how valuable they are, and make your business sparkle. Let’s bring on the fun and make some magical memories! 🎉✨
Smiling’s my favorite!
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