11/20/2025
Christmas Party Dos and Don’ts
I have run many holiday parties over the years and have discovered several tips I’d like to pass along. First, I have noticed that many different types of people attend these events, from a person in the stock room to the CEO. Therefore, it is important to know what type of music to play at the party as well as when you can change music genres.
For one thing, you don’t want to request any heavy metal or anything hardcore like rap until the end of the night. Most times, the crowd dwindles to a smaller and younger group, which will give you the opportunity to hear this type of music. Conversely, do you want only Christmas music played at your event, or would you prefer a small set of songs played during the night? By the middle of December, many may tire of Christmas music.
You also need to be aware if a guest will be speaking. If so, you should have a microphone that they can use. It may sound silly but I’m constantly asked that question.
Another thing to consider is your audio accessories. Do you need to plug any parts into DJ equipment? With today’s technology, more and more companies like to present a photomontage or a DVD. Consequently, they will need to plug into the DJ’s system for audio. How far away is the projector from the DJ equipment? Do you need a special type of cord or long cables? Think carefully about these things when planning this event, and communicate this information to your DJ. It may be beneficial to provide a floor plan.
Are there door prizes? Many Holiday Parties offer door prizes. This can be good or a bad. Offering door prizes can keep everyone interested in the party until the prizewinner is announced. However, some companies may drown in a mass of prizes. People will soon lose interest and the party may start to drag. Remember there is a time and place to give away gifts
Another thing for you to consider is how much holiday music would you like the DJ to play. You may want a timeline of how you’d like the night to go. Convey this to your DJ. With no natural dance period, you need to let him know when you want the “Dance” portion of the night to begin. This can be a tough transition sometimes, so make sure the mood of the room is set for dancing. I suggest that you lower the lights, clear the dance floor, and move any tables or items away.
Some companies offer a casino night or a karaoke event to warm guests to the party. These types of events are always fun, but you need to ensure that the room can accommodate gaming tables or a karaoke machine. Additionally, karaoke may not always be appropriate at a Christmas party. You may not have the proper song selection, or perhaps people might be uncomfortable singing in front of a crowd.
If you choose to play music at your event, you will want to consider placing gaming tables away from the dance floor, so that people can hear the music while they dance. Always make sure your room is big enough to accommodate both the tables for all the casino games and a dance floor for the guests who want to dance. The closer the gaming tables are to the dance floor the louder everyone will have to talk.
