5 Reasons to Have a Work Holiday Party & What Not to Wear

All of December and January seems to be filled with various types of holiday parties. Between family, friends and religious celebrations there seems to be little time left to plan that office holiday party. So before you decide to just let it slide to a small break room party with a "Bah Humbug" approach, here are five reasons why you should have an office holiday party and what not to wear!

#1: Increase morale among staff: Most employees find it difficult to be productive during this busy time of the year. An office party increases face-to-face time and gets everyone out of their cubicles and offices. Just acknowledging the holiday season is an instant morale booster.


#2: Tight budget?: You can have an office party even on a tight budget and increase employees' confidence in the company. Why not have a potluck/homemade style office party in the break room or a nice conference room. Break out the decorations and music and let everyone hang out for the afternoon and even leave early after the party.

#3: Recruit new employees: You can fill entry-level and internship positions by networking with your employees for referrals. You can even have them drop a paper into a bowl or basket with their referral and contact info. This can make everyone feel like they are helping the company grow while helping a friend get a job!

#4: The truth can set you free...or not: There is sure to be some different personalities showing up when the office party is in a different setting. Make sure the party is a positive experience by allowing the shy employees to speak up about new things they would like learn or have the opportunity to try. Make sure everything is managed effectively. Arrange for drink tickets or have the bartender check ID's so each person may only have so many drinks.


#5: Teambuilding: Make the rounds with everyone and get to know them away from the normal office and meeting rooms. Provide team building activities to let people in different departments get to know one another. Casino Knights in Austin is a great company to use, and they have been out to Texas Old Town several times.

No matter where or when you chose to have an office holiday party, it will always be appreciated to have some time away from the hustle and bustle of work and get to know the people you work with better.

Now, be sure to play it safe and wear work appropriate not club attire at the office party. Check out these 11 things you should never (ever) wear to an office party, courtesy of Glamour.

Don't #1: Serious Cleavage: Don't get too carried away with the low-cut stuff! You are still with your co-workers at a "work" event.

Don't #2: Holiday Colors: Stay away from the elementary red and green outfits. You may be confused for a Christmas tree.

Don't #3: The Highest Heels You Own: Cute heels are great for a holiday office party, but stay away from the "stripper heels" especially the ones that make you the tallest person in the room.

Don't #4: Crazy Animal Print Clothes: Don't be afraid to try something bold, but keep away from the seriously loud animal prints. You'll have to keep those animal print dresses stowed away for another night.

Don't #5: Sheer Fabric: Super-sheer choices don't go for the office, so you will have to skip them for the office party too.

Don't #6: Ultra Casual Attire: Unless your office party is at a ranch, picnic in the park, or a sporting event, the jeans and a t-shirt is not good for the party.

Don't #7: Christmas Sweater: Do yourself a favor and keep those at home for a cold day by the fire. But, feel free if the invite does say "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!"

Don't #8: Wrinkled Clothes:  Say yes to the iron pre-party. Just because that dress usually looks cute, doesn't mean you can put it on after digging it out of the corner of your closet.

Don't #9: Novelty Socks: Those striped toe socks with jingle bells may sound fun to you, but keep them in the confines of your home for a snow day.

Don't #10: Too Tight, Too Short Dresses: Don't mess up your professional reputation by wearing that  Kim Kardashian worthy dress. Keep to those cute and warm sweater dresses or nice pants and a sweater top that will still show off your body.

Don't #11: Festive Garb: The antlers and battery powered Christmas light necklaces and sweaters need to stay at home with the kids. This is still your professional life and you don't want to be remembered for being the immature one. Unless of course you work at a quirky place anyway...then feel free to be as fun and quirky as you want!

The Holiday's are Coming to Town!

It's never too early to get in to the Christmas spirit. Growing up every year on the day after Thanksgiving we would pull out all our Christmas decorations, including a great 7.5 foot tree, and start setting them up while listening to Christmas music and eating leftovers.

I loved it and those are memories I will never forget. This year it's just my husband and I in our little apartment. We plan on a few decorations, but we really don't have the room or storage! Even though we don't have a big 7.5 foot tree or any of those decorations and things we enjoyed growing up, that's not going to stop us from having a great little Christmas party with our friends!

Whether you are like my parents or like me and my husband, anyone can throw a great looking and easy Christmas party. I love to cook, so one of the first things I do when planning any type of party is figure out what I would like to serve. Many times I do a pot luck type of party and have everyone bring something. That way everyone has something they like.

Edible Ornaments

Fun desserts and different drinks rather than just the regular sodas and water are also something fun to have. Try making a Christmas tree out of cupcakes or even cute little edible ornaments. If you don't feel like baking and decorating try The Cupcake Bar. They are exactly what their name says, a full service bar for cupcakes. They have 75 toppings, 20 flavors, and a spread of different fillings. You just walk up to the bar and tell them what type of cupcake you want, what you want on it and what you want in it. Sounds fun and delicious to me!

There are tons of drinks you can make for the holiday's that aren't just your regular eggnog. Try a few non-alcoholic drinks such as a S'more Mocktail with marshmallow cream topping and graham crackers or a Cranberry-Mint cooler with a frozen holiday wreath made from a shot glass mold with mint and cranberries . If you can't do with out the eggnog, try this new version with a cookie ornament garnish.

Ornament wreath

Decorations are next on the list of party planning, but are pretty easy around the holidays with the abundance of Christmas trees, snowmen, nutcrackers, and lights. If you want something easy, fun and inexpensive, you can make an ornament wreath. It's as easy as taking an old wire hanger and forming it info a wreath shape and adding ornaments of your choosing.

There are tons of other ideas and inspiration you can find, so these are just a few of my favorite things. At this time of year don't forget all the special people in your life and everything you have to be thankful for, including all the little things most people take for granted, such as their health, mobility, job, family, money, friends, and whether you are married, getting married our just engaged this holiday season, you are blessed to have found someone to love you and take care of you for the rest of your life.

Corporate Meetings & Special Events

Texas Old Town is under some new and exciting construction. We have always been open and available for many different types of events, but we are preparing for a better kind of Corporate meeting, family reunion or large group get together.

I can't divulge all the secrets now, but here's our latest newsletter with some of our newest additions.

You can expect Texas Old Town to cater to your meeting and special event needs, from the team building and Laser Battle to the Casino Nights and Live entertainment.

Another little hint...we have over 50 acres of land. That's enough room for...all-American sports, lots of running around or maybe even climbing around. ;)


In the mean time...why don't you check out some of our past Corporate Events.