Summer is the perfect time to get together with your coworkers outside of the office. However, throwing a summer office party at your own home can be a pretty high-stakes event. So to help ensure that everyone enjoys themselves and that everything goes off without a hitch, here are three tips for throwing a summer office party at your house.
Separate Your Space Into Zones
Depending on how many people you’re planning on coming for your event, you’ll want to separate your home into various spaces where people can congregate comfortably.
In general, most people are more comfortable in smaller, more intimate settings rather than in just one big space all together. Knowing this, you should try to set up tables and seating options in such a way that you can have a few different areas where people can sit, talk, eat, and relax. If this weather is nice and you have the space, consider having both indoor and outdoor spaces available, although you might need to install fans during the day or patio heaters in the evening.
While there doesn’t have to be formal place settings all throughout your house, if you put a few chairs together in a couple different rooms, you can help people find their own flow through the house and be much more comfortable while they are there.
Add Whimsy With Summer Games
Summer office parties are a great way to get to know your coworkers in a more relaxed environment. But to make this happen and help some people break out of their shells, you may want to plan to have a few fun games available for people to participate in.
If you have a nice lawn, consider bringing out some lawn games like bocce ball or corn hole. You could also have some bubbles or water stations available if you’re anticipating people bringing their kids along. These kinds of games can help people feel less stuffy and more at ease.
Have Ideas On-Hand For Ways Others Can Help
While you’re the one hosting this summer office party, you’ll likely have people from the office wanting to contribute in some way. This can help people feel more comfortable coming to your party, as many people are taught not to show up empty handed. So rather than telling people to just come, think of a few things that you can have people bring that would add to the environment you’re trying to create. This could include things like an appetizer, dessert, or drinks. You could even try doing a potluck if you’re worried about the cost for the party.
If you’re wanting to throw a summer office party for your coworkers, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you plan and prepare for this event.
