Christmas may be a few months away, but many companies are planning the festivities now in order to get the best rates on venues and food. If you’re looking for a way to remove the hum-drum from your typical party, here are a few things you might consider.

1. Have an ugly suit contest instead of an ugly sweater contest.

We’ve all been to an ugly sweater holiday party. The party itself is entertaining, but shopping for the sweater is even more so.

Since you’re having an office Christmas party, keep with the theme, and encourage guests to dress in their ugliest Christmas suits instead. Here’s a great online suit retailer to provide some inspiration! Provide a fabulous prize for the winner.

2. Throw in optional icebreakers and games throughout.

Company Christmas parties provide an opportunity for guests to bring their families or significant others to socialize. Icebreaker activities scattered throughout the venue can help dispel some of the awkwardness of meeting these guests. For example, you could have a bucket of questions at each table for guests to discuss. Such activities generate easier conversation.

You might also have other fun holiday-themed games to entertain your guests, such as Christmas-themed minute-to-win-it activities or a wreathe toss, a game similar to horseshoes. Pin the red nose on Rudolph is also a crowd pleaser, especially if you’re serving free drinks.

Not everyone will want to participate in these games, so rather than requiring that all guests participate, make them optional side games. Some will play, and others will be content to watch or mingle.

3. Exchange Secret Santa gifts with coworkers.

The holidays are all about bringing positivity and cheer, but they’re also about gifts. People love to give and receive presents at this time of year, and such a tradition at your holiday party can form new friendships and unity that will last all year.

Secret Santa is an age-old tradition that gives people an opportunity to learn about their coworkers while getting into the spirit of the season. Everyone loves a good mystery, and Secret Santa provides it without the drama.

4. Have a variety of traditional Christmas activities available.

Families have different traditions associated with Christmas time, but there are a few that are the same across the nation, including decorating Christmas cookies or building a gingerbread house. There are also old traditions that many of your employees haven’t done like roasting chestnuts, making a popcorn garland, or creating homemade Christmas ornaments.

You might also consider activities that get you outside, like a holiday light tour, Christmas caroling to a nursing home, ice skating, or attending a showing of a classic Christmas movie.

5. Be creative with your holiday food.

Food traditions are prolific in American culture, so don’t disappoint during this iconic season. Provide a selection of seasonal flavours like pies, ham or turkey, cheese and crackers, cranberry drinks, and other holiday favorites.

You don’t have to stick to just these foods, though. The office might enjoy something new, like an interactive s’more-roasting station or a fondue fountain. Creativity in this venue can encourage socialization and make your party a hit.

6. Encourage guests to post on social media.

Most people are present on social media, so it’s worth incorporating you’re your event. Not only will it generate a variety of pictures celebrating the event’s successes, but it will also likely provide feedback for next year’s party.

Create a hashtag that employees can use when posting to social media regarding the night’s events. This will create a grouping of pictures and posts and that can be viewed in the future.

To encourage more pictures, build a photo booth with Christmas-themed props. You could also have Scrabble pieces on every table so that guests can write clever messages, snap a photo, and post them to their social pages.

7. Send everyone home with a quality party favor.

Don’t let your guests leave empty handed. If your event is as successful as you hope, they’ll want something to remember it by.

Party favours have a reputation of being tacky or useless, but yours doesn’t have to be that way. Send each guest home with delicious Christmas goodies, useful company swag products, or a seasonally-themed gift. If it’s in the budget, give each attendee a high-quality gift they’ll actually use like a Bluetooth speaker, a gift card to a restaurant, or a moleskin planner.

You want people talking about your holiday party for all the right reasons, and these are just a few ideas that can make that happen. Keep your audience in mind as you plan, and let the Christmas spirit be your guiding light.