When should we start planning our holiday party?

The earlier, the better—and now is the perfect time to start planning. We recommend beginning 8-12 weeks before your event date to secure the best venues, top-tier vendors, and prime holiday dates. The most sought-after venues and caterers book up fast during holiday season, especially for December events. Starting early also gives us time to craft every detail perfectly and ensures you get exactly what you envision, not what's left available. While we've created amazing celebrations with shorter timelines when needed, those early-bird clients always get the first pick of everything that makes a holiday party truly special.

I see you're based in Chicago—do you work nationwide?

Absolutely! While our roots are in Chicago (and we know this city inside and out), we regularly plan and execute events across the country. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating authentic local experiences no matter where we're working. We don't just bring Chicago-style events to other cities—we dive deep into each location's unique character, local vendors, and regional culture to create celebrations that feel genuinely connected to the place and community. We have trusted networks in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Park City, Sonoma, and beyond, but more importantly, we research and source local gems that give your event authentic flavor. Our team travels for on-site management when needed, ensuring the same hands-on attention whether you're celebrating in the Loop or in downtown Seattle.

How do you ensure our company culture is reflected in the event?

This starts with our discovery process where we dive deep into your company values, team personality, recent achievements, and cultural dynamics. We review your company materials, conduct stakeholder interviews, and sometimes even observe team interactions. This isn't just about picking decorations—it's about creating an experience that feels authentically "you" while introducing elevated elements your team hasn't experienced before.

What makes for a great holiday party? 

After planning countless corporate celebrations, we've discovered that great holiday parties aren't about checking boxes—they're about creating genuine moments of connection and joy. The best parties have three things in common: they feel authentically "you," they give people permission to be human with their colleagues, and they create shared experiences that strengthen relationships long after the event ends.

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It starts with understanding your team's personality and designing around that, not around what a holiday party "should" look like. A tech startup's celebration will look completely different from a law firm's, and that's exactly how it should be. The magic happens when your people walk in and immediately think "this is so us"—whether that's a cozy winter gathering with craft cocktails and acoustic music, or a high-energy themed party with interactive entertainment.

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The second key is removing barriers to authentic interaction. This means thoughtful details like seating arrangements that mix departments, activities that give introverts natural conversation starters, food and drink that encourage mingling rather than formal separation, and an atmosphere where hierarchy feels relaxed and people can just enjoy each other's company.

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Finally, great parties create stories people want to tell. Not Instagram moments (though those are nice), but genuine "remember when" memories that become part of your company culture. When done right, your holiday party becomes an investment in morale, retention, and team cohesion that pays dividends all year long. And honestly? That's exactly why you should hire us—we know how to engineer those magical moments while handling all the logistics that make or break the experience.

Do you handle corporate gifts or employee appreciation elements?

Yes, gift coordination is often part of our holiday party services. We can source and coordinate branded gifts, personalized items, charitable donations in employees' names, or experience gifts. We also design appreciation elements into the event itself—like recognition moments, achievement celebrations, or surprise elements that make individuals feel valued.

We want to do something really creative and unexpected for our theme this year. Can you handle unique concepts?

Now you're speaking our language! We absolutely love creative themes that break away from traditional holiday décor. We've created everything from Apres Ski parties with hot chocolate bars and cozy lounge areas, to Monte Carlo nights with casino tables and champagne towers, to Glow parties with UV elements and interactive light installations, to Pink Disco celebrations with mirrored balls and throwback cocktails. The more creative and unexpected, the more excited we get—these are the parties people remember years later. Our approach is to take your wildest ideas and make them sophisticated and professionally executed, so your team gets the fun factor without any of the cheesy execution that can make themed parties feel amateur.

We've always managed our holiday parties ourselves. How can you help without taking over completely?

We love working with teams who care deeply about their celebrations—it shows how much you value your people. If a full-service approach isn't what you need, we can become your trusted partner, bringing professional expertise to elevate what you're already doing well. Think of us as your strategic ally who fills in the gaps and amplifies your strengths.

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Our partnership approach means you maintain control over the vision and key decisions while gaining access to our experience, vendor relationships, and problem-solving expertise. We've seen what works (and what doesn't) across countless events, so we can help you avoid common pitfalls and discover opportunities you might not have considered.

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The goal isn't to replace your knowledge of your team and culture—it's to combine that insider perspective with our professional capabilities to create something better than either of us could achieve alone. You keep the elements that matter most to you, and we ensure the execution is flawless. It's the perfect balance of maintaining ownership while gaining the confidence that comes with professional support.

We love our venue from last year and want to book the same place, but we don't want to plan all the details again. Can you help?

Venue sourcing is often the hardest part, so you're already ahead of the game. We can take over everything else—menu planning, décor design, entertainment booking, timeline coordination, vendor management, and day-of execution. You keep the location that worked and we'll transform it into something fresh and exciting. We can even build on what worked last year while adding new elements that will surprise and delight your team. It's the best of both worlds: familiar space, elevated experience.