Posadas and Company Holiday Parties: What to Plan and When
A simple, step-by-step guide to planning a posada or your company's year-end party without the last-minute rush.
December fills up fast. There's the family posada, the school one, the neighborhood one and the year-end party at work. Since almost everyone wants to celebrate in the same few weeks, venues, food and music get booked sooner than you'd think.
The good news is that a posada or a company party doesn't have to be complicated. A little planning goes a long way. Here's a simple roadmap.
First, decide what kind of party you want
A traditional posada and a company dinner are not the same thing.
A family or neighborhood posada usually means a piñata, Christmas carols, ponche (a warm fruit punch) and little bags of candy for the kids. What matters most is room for the kids to play and for the adults to visit.
A company year-end party is more about dinner, music, a toast and often a raffle or some recognition for the team.
Settle this first, because it changes the venue you need, the schedule and the budget.
How far ahead: a step-by-step roadmap
As soon as you know there'll be a party. Estimate how many guests you'll have and how much you want to spend. Pick a date and keep a backup. With that, you can get quotes and reserve the venue. This is the step you really don't want to put off.
A few weeks before. Lock in the menu or catering, the décor and the music. Send the invitations or let the team know. If there'll be a raffle or gifts, buy them early.
The week of the party. Confirm the final headcount with the venue and with whoever is serving the food. Go over arrival, setup and end times. Take care of any remaining payments.
On the day. Put one person in charge of coordinating. If you're the organizer, hand off as much as you can so you get to enjoy it too.
If you're planning your company party
- Pick a time that works for most people. If your team works shifts, as in hotels and restaurants, ask ahead which day more people can make it.
- Decide whether it's team only or plus-ones. It completely changes your headcount.
- Plan the ride home. Arrange transportation or agree on designated drivers, especially if there's a toast.
- Recognize your people. A few words of thanks or a simple award gives the party real meaning.
If you're planning a family posada
- Split up the tasks. Who brings the piñata, who makes the ponche, who handles the candy bags. That way no one carries it all.
- Think about the kids. A garden or a bounce house keeps them busy, and the adults can relax and visit.
- Keep the tradition your way. Some families sing at the door to ask for posada, and others just break the piñata. Both are just right.
Questions to ask before you book a venue
- What's included: tables, chairs, linens, décor, catering?
- Can we bring our own food, piñata or drinks?
- How late can the party go?
- Is there a tent or covered space in case the weather changes?
- How do we reserve the date, and what happens if the guest count changes?
- Who will be our contact on the day?
With these answers in writing, comparing venues is much easier.
If you'd like a quote for your posada or company holiday party, message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you plan it.