7 original staff party ideas for your company

Did you know that the oldest recorded event in Europe dates back to the 18th century, when a royal court organised an elaborate ball for its staff? Back then, everyone, from courtiers to servants, was allowed to enjoy the spectacle. The idea that staff do not merely toil, but also celebrate together, is therefore centuries old. Yet nowadays we often see that staff parties fall back on standard options: some nibbles, a DJ and that's it. That is a shame, because a good staff party can do a lot for your company. So things can be done differently. In this blog, we give you 7 original staff party ideas with which you are sure to make an impression.

The importance of a good staff party

You might think that organising a good staff party is not that exciting. As long as you do something, it will probably be fine. Yet it is more important than you think. A good staff party is much more than just a pleasant afternoon/evening. It is an investment in team spirit, appreciation and motivation for your employees. When colleagues relax and laugh together outside the work environment, it strengthens mutual trust and cooperation in the workplace. Moreover, you show that their efforts are noticed and valued. A successful party truly generates fresh energy, positive conversations and a stronger bond with the company. That is something you reap the rewards of all year round and is therefore definitely worth the investment.

Don't get us wrong, a simple staff party is often fine, as long as it suits the team and the occasion. But when you really want to make an impression, for example because you want to celebrate an anniversary, are original concepts the way to go. By using unexpected activities, original acts and surprising locations, you will create an event that will be talked about for a long time to come.

Our 7 original ideas for a staff party

When coming up with ideas for a staff party, it is important to pay attention to the diversity within your team. After all, people have varied interests. Where one person loves action, another might prefer chatting in a quiet setting, for example. Therefore, it is wise to leave room for variation in your concept and to choose a mix of activities and moments of relaxation. In addition, it is a good idea not just to organise a ‘party’, but to combine this with fun activities.

Below, we have gathered seven original staff party ideas for you that are sure to impress.

1. Festival vibe on your own property

2. Culinary discovery tour/walking dinner

Instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, you can also opt for a walking dinner. This places the emphasis on atmosphere, interaction and delicious food. You distribute small dishes or bites across multiple ‘stations’ or food stands, with guests wandering from place to place. This encourages conversations at the bar, at the outdoor location or in the courtyard. Think, for example, of world cuisines, fine-dining bites, etc.

3. Workshop festival

4. Interactive game shows & escape rooms

This is one of the most original staff party ideas. Capitalise on the trend of escape rooms and game shows at your own venue. You can form teams to solve tasks and complete puzzles together. Or turn it into a TV-show-style game featuring quiz rounds, photo challenges, mini-tasks, etc. This adds a fun, interactive touch to your staff party.

5. Silent disco

The concept of a silent disco is simple yet successful, and has been for years. Everyone wears wireless headphones and can choose between multiple music channels. This means a group can quietly dance to jazz or lounge music, while others opt for pop or dance. The result: everyone has a great time and the noise level in the room is much lower than at a regular party. This idea can be combined with a traditional dancing area or DJ stage. The surprising element lies in the freedom people are given. In this way, they determine their own atmosphere, even though everyone is going to the same party. It also encourages interaction. People suddenly find themselves striking up conversations with colleagues they never speak to, simply because they share the same musical tastes.

6. Serious games

Instead of boring teambuilding exercises, you could also use playful serious games deploy. These are designed to support a business objective (collaboration, communication, strategy) but with fun as the main goal. Examples include outdoor missions with GPS and puzzles, creative challenges such as building a bridge with limited resources, or mystery games where participants have to carry out ‘missions’ within the party setting.

7. Theme evening with a theatrical experience

Theme parties have long been one of the most popular staff party ideas, but you can make them more original by adding a theatrical experience. Think of solving a murder or mysteries, interactions where employees are given a role, secret missions or plot twists throughout the evening. You can even hire actors who enter the party as characters and involve the audience in a storyline. Examples include a murder mystery dinner, Casino Royale evening, medieval ball, futuristic gala, etc. Such an evening stops being a routine party and becomes an experience in which colleagues can imagine themselves in another world for a while.

Implementing your staff party ideas: practical tips

After choosing from the many ideas for a staff party, it is time to start developing the concept. We have gathered a few tips for you that make the difference between simply a nice party and an unforgettable experience:

• Start planning in good timepopular venues, artists and caterers are often booked up quickly. Therefore, make sure you start planning your event in good time.
• Involve employees in choicescreate a short survey with 3 to 5 themes or options so you know which ideas go down well with the team.
• Ensure flexibility in the programmebuild in breaks and free time. Not everyone wants to keep going continuously. Therefore, schedule space for rest or free interpretation.
• Tailor catering to allergies and dietary requirementsOriginal ideas for a staff party often involve unusual catering (world cuisines, street food, sharing). In this case, do make sure that every colleague feels welcome and can find something to eat.
• Allow the concept to be carried through into the detailsthemes, styling, invitations and even toilet decorations can tie in with the concept.
• Work with professional guidancefor game shows, escape rooms or theatrical concepts, it pays to hire an experienced producer or event agency. They help brainstorm about routing, technology and other practical matters.
• Review afterwardsask employees about their experiences. What did they find surprising, what was less enjoyable? This is very useful to take on board when planning future events.

The right location for your staff party ideas

The location is perhaps the most important part of your event. Ideas for a staff party are great, but if you do not have a venue to execute these ideas, it quickly comes to a halt. The location determines the atmosphere, logistics, ambience and how much freedom you have regarding setup. Even the most beautiful concept can fall short if the venue is too small, poorly accessible or insufficiently flexible. Therefore, a careful choice is very important in your search for the right venue. Fortunately, you can turn to Kasteel Limbricht for many various events. You are always welcome to discuss your staff party ideas with us; we are happy to brainstorm with you and take care of everything from A to Z. The castle offers an idyllic location suitable for all kinds of themes and activities.

Hopefully the above staff party ideas will help you on your way and enable you to organise an unforgettable event. Do not hesitate to enlist our help. Good luck with choosing the most suitable staff party for your company!