Has anyone explained to the Pres. that it will take a few $$$ to turn a country club into a "homey" place for a party? It's not fair for you to stress yourself out over an impossible task because he wants something he isn't willing to pay for. You're likely to get some wonderful ideas here. I would then select some of the ones you really enjoy, get estimates, and give him a bottom line number for what it will take to turn the place more homey.

A couple of ideas: I think larger tables instead of smaller. If you have just 4-6 people at a table, the silences can be very awkward. I would do at least ten per table.

You can very inexpensively rent very festive chair covers and table cloths that will warm up the space. Fresh flowers/holiday centerpieces on the table would be gorgeous and with fewer tables, less expensive. Pretty white candles grouped and scattered around with greenery and ribbons will add a homey feel (just don't burn the place down, LOL!).

For music, it would be super sweet to ask a school choral group to sing, and children singing Christmas carols always puts people in a good mood I think. My daughter's elementary and high school groups did it frequently. They probably cannot accept money, but ask if you could make a small donation of an item they need. You could even start off with an elementary group of kids who will sing, followed by a middle school group that will sing, and then a string group from the high school.

Last suggestion, (and I did this for a company party once): hire the entertainment. Part of the problem with these gatherings is that most of the people would rather be home or at least socializing with people they choose, not people they work with all day. So nobody is in a super good mood.... I hired a hypnotist who was also a motivational speaker, so it was a perfect pairing of some good rollicking fun and a wonderfully inspirational talk at the end. I think it could really take your party from hum drum to a really fun time.

I also wonder if you might think about pairing it with a holiday book drive or toy drive of some kind. Choose an organization that is perhaps overlooked in your community, and ask the recipient's rep to come to the party. A small presenting of items and 3 minute speech about the organization would add to the evening and the spirit of the holidays too. If you do this, have the items brought to work prior to the celebration and gather them there, to avoid any embarrassment at the event.

I hope this gives you at least one idea you can use. I've been in your shoes -and honestly, so often the head person is willing to cough up a few $$$ once they know what it will buy them, and in your case, especially when they've had one kind of experience, and know they want something different.

I agree with bestyears. Use the money for an entertainer. In looking back at business events, has any of us really remembered the decor? If the function is boring, no amount of sparkle will matter.
One wonders why some companies bother with this tradition. But, if done right, the employees should walk away feeling up beat about the coming year and positive with their work performance.

I disagree with pairing it with a book drive etc. This event should be about the employees. Who doesn't have a charity or two that they are already giving to?

I would concentrate on a fun centerpiece for each table and entertainment.

Here in DFW -- there are lots of party bands -- check out the bands like "Inside Out"; "Incognito" or "Emerald City" -- fantastic dance bands OR if those ones are busy or too expensive -- ask their management teams if they have any other ones available.

OR try to get a D.J. -- lots of tunes tht folks recognize right away -- and will dance ...

Call Ducky Bobs today -- and see if they can help out ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Party Rentals ....

I was charged with decorating our conference room for our Director's retirement party. The Governor and other high ups were going to attend this party also. I had a budget of $30. $30!!! To make a party of over 100 people look festive.

I sent out requests for decorations-mine were theme specific, and I went to the dollar store and bought 15 bunches of silk flowers. I also went around our building and collected bunches of greens from various trees and put together 14 centerpieces using stems from the flower bunches, weird things I'd gathered and stuck greens in vases
in spots on the buffet tables. Everyone was awed and had tons of compliments saying it was the best party they'd ever attended.

So get a bunch of fresh greens, add poinsettias and some pretty balls to each table, add a couple candles and viola...homey and cheap. You don't need to go overboard, just remember the fuller the more impressive.

Also second the idea of a school group or asking at the local HS if there are kids from the orchestra or band or even chorus who would be willing to perform. Sweeten the pot by offering a donation to the Booster club.

Were I helping to plan this event, I think I would suggest that a private room be reserved at a nice restaurant, and just hold a special "holiday dinner", without resorting to trying to find suitable entertainment for such a small number of attendees. Most people readily enjoy the ambience of an upscale restaurant, and having an opportunity to go out for a nice meal with coworkers around the holidays seems less stilted and forced than a traditional holiday "party."

However, if you've already signed the contract on the venue, then I think you've received some excellent suggestions above. Good luck! I assist with corporate event planning too, and know how brains are wracked trying to come up with something perfect!

I agree with everyone about how awkward this type of party can be. As Jen mentioned, a dinner in a private room of a restaurant might be much easier on all involved, but it seems that's not an option at this point.

My suggestions:
Lighting: keep it low lit. I find in many places the lighting is so bright that it does come off as stark and not at all homey. Are there rheostats in the room you're reserving? I'd suggest a centerpiece of one large (good quality) chunky candle inside a footed glass bowl or candle holder on each table with festive greenery around it. I'd use real Christmas wreaths and perhaps tuck in several gold, silver or white glass ornaments and/or snowflake ornaments. The glass around the candle helps to eliminate the chance it will get blown out during the evening. Small votive candles in silver or gold cups scattered around the main centerpiece would be pretty.

Seating: tables for 8 are will be fine to keep the conversations from lagging. I wouldn't go any smaller.

Entertainment: I personally think the kid entertainment is not a good choice. Why? I've been on both ends of that one and have seen how disruptive it is for the guests as the kids come in, get set up, etc. It never goes smoothly and you'll probably be the one who misses half your dinner managing it all. One adult singer or a trio of adult musicians might be a better option. I've been at events where the solo singer also chats a bit between numbers, talking about the upcoming song he'll sing, and acting like the master of ceremonies for the evening. Another option is just a prerecorded few hours of holiday songs that you bring along. I'd keep the songs festive and cheery for the first part of the evening and more mellow, quieter background music while everyone is eating.

I'd keep the evening to 2 1/2 - 3 hours max and list the ending time so that your guests can plan their leaving.

Decorations: Check over on GardenWeb's Holiday & Christmas forum. Those gals there have wonderful decorating ideas for every holiday and event. There's a great photo file over there for you to go through, too. As for wall decs, if there are none, smallish ones you might bring from home would probably be too small and look out of place, if the venue would even allow you to put any up. Ones from stores tend to be too small or look cheap (IMHO) for a company dinner party. Low lighting with many candles and tree lights might be enough.

Chairs: I honestly think that it would be too expensive to buy chair covers for that many people, but you might look into renting them for the evening. I'd do that quickly, though.

Room Decs: a tree, lit up would lend a lot to the decor. One Christmas dinner we attend every year (for a largish group)is decorated very simply but elegantly with a number of prelit trees around the perimeter of the room. But, there are no ornaments or garland, just the lovely white lights on the trees. It's festive but also cozy, as they keep the overhead lighting is dimmed. The colors of the table decs were green, white and either silver or gold.
Lynn

Could your "entertainment" consist of a white elephant gift exchange among attendees? We did that every year in the department I used to work in (and we had about the same number of folks that you're expecting at your party). It was a lot of fun, and some of the gag gifts really broke the ice and practically had us rolling with laughter.

I agree that the White Elephant gift exchange is great entertainment. Especially when "stealing" is involved. We do it every year at our office party and everyone has a great time. I bought my gift for this year's party at last year's after Christmas sale:

It's a little hard to make suggestions because I don't know your company's culture, but I would skip the entertainment unless you can find someone who knows how to pull a group together. Unfortunately, those kinds of entertainers usually cost quite a bit of money. We had a DJ and dancing reindeer girls once that were a big hit. The dancing reindeer girls weren't showgirls either, just a group of four average, but outgoing women who had put together a costume and basically gave line dancing lessons at the party for the whole group. They really got everyone up and moving and energized the party.

I love the idea of a white elephant gift exchange if that would fit with your culture. Just make sure that you clarify the kind of gift people should bring. I used to attend one where half the people brought gifts that they didn't like, but that someone might like and the other half brought things like a moldy gym bag or pillow stuffing. It's really not fun nor funny to unwrap a moldy gym bag.

I agree with others that you can rent chair covers or chair shrugs. You may even be able to rent centerpieces.

F2BH - you are so right, it is a special culture unto its own ;-) I'm still trying to fit in 2 yrs later - I am from the other side of town!

Thanks everyone, lots of great suggestions here.

I will call Ducky Bobs and see if they have anything available at this point. Can't hurt to get an idea of the cost for the chair cover's rental and centerpieces.

I'm going to have to wait until I can go over there to see what the club offers for centerpieces and everything else before I decide on that stuff.

teacats - Emerald City????? Holy cow, I don't EVEN want to think about how much they would be - I'm sure Pres. would choke on the cost, but he would be the type to appreciate them, LOL! And I'll bet he's never heard of them - I'm telling you, Arlington might as well be another planet no matter how close it is to Dallas.

I was right and the keyboardist is booked already. In desperation, I texted a friend who works at corporate for a local TexMex Restaurant chain and she's getting me some referrals from their event planner. I also asked the CC to recommend someone. Honestly, keyboardists are perfect for this party (very little if any vocals and more background than show), and hopefully I can find a good one at this late date!

We did a White Elephant 2 yrs ago and it was a lot of fun and we will do that again this year.

There are very few lags in convo, most of us who work there know how to yak, LOL! But after y'alls opinions, I think I'll leave the table size alone and use what we have in the past.

It's really just the decs Pres. is talking about. Again, he'd just prefer to be at home than in a banquet room, even if it is at his home-away-from-home country club (sorry, Jen, somethings just aren't negotiable ;-)

Actually, this party is best done in this space. I probably should have put this order-of-events in my OP:

-Mix n Mingle/HH
-Buffet, sit-down dinner.
-Pres. speaks briefly, then recognizes and thanks each employee giving them Christmas cards ;-)
-He then reads off raffle numbers and gives out Gift Cards to the winners.
-Then we do the White Elephant

This takes 4-ish hours, so it's from 6-10p.

I'll follow up when I know more, thanks again!

Last night I went to a dinner meeting in a huge bare barn of a room. 40 people attended. There was a cocktail hour and everyone sat down to eat. The thing that saved the day was there were candles on every table (round tables, seating 8). For this group, each table is decorated by someone different, with a basic theme. There also were mini lights strung in netting overhead. Tacky, but it lit the place without being glaring.
It's really all about lighting. If you have a mix and mingle cocktail hour, make that in one area and the candle lit tables in another area....at least 3 candles on each table. And have no more than 5 tables....you don't want tables with 3 or 4 sitting at them.
Not sure what your budget is but Dollar Tree has not bad glass candle holders for a buck and tapers 2 for a buck. Add some greens and sprinkle glitter and perhaps some silver sprayed branches....and colored napkins and you will be there.
As for a pianist....how about contacting churches to see if their piano player or choir director also plays at parties....I know more than a few do, especially at christmas....to earn a few dollars.
Good luck!!

You might also consider contacting a music school - here in the Philly area we've hired students from the Curtis Institute of Music. Of course this happens to be an exceptional school - on a par with Julliard - and the students here usually go on to professional concert careers.

Greenthumbfish, I hesitate to mention it, but since you are having difficulty finding a keyboardist - my mom is a professional pianist who has played countless holiday parties throughout the years. If you will message me, I will send you a link to her website. I don't know if her rates would fall within your parameters, but you might discuss with her if interested.

P.S. - She lives in Hurst, so Arlington is not a problem.

I agree lighting makes a huge diference.

I was in charge of a women's event at my church a while ago. The room we were using has industrial strength flourenct (sp!) lights. I hauled all my lamps from home. Buffet lamps, table lamps, and torcheire. The mood was stunning. Warm and homey.

Use candles and white Christmas lights. Some bright poinsettias would add color.

Thanks a bunch, Jen! I sent a you a message.

Yes, Linda, I've contacted a few church musicians.

Lots of irons in the fire, but no one is booked yet. I'm sure I'll find someone, though.

Lighting - check! I like the idea of mini lights - maybe battery operated, tucked into the centerpieces someway.

I found spandex chair covers on CL - $2 each - rentals. I know that's a good price, but man, it seems expensive! I have to pay half or more of what they cost to purchase to use for 4 hrs on 1 night, seems outrageous!

I'm probably going to order some favors too - a friend found the site below - looks good!

Here is a link that might be useful: FavorFavor