Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Planning An Office Party -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Planning An Office Party

	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

BASIC QUESTIONS

Formal event or casual?
Focus on business issues or just a party?
Available budget? Will employees contribute?
Sit-down dinner? Buffet? Finger food? Special dietary requirements?
Live entertainment or recorded music?
Do-it-yourself affair or hire professionals?

CHECKLIST

choose a venue
pay attention to parking, disabled access, amenities, etc.
create and send invitations
select decorations (banners, flowers, centerpieces, balloons, etc.)
purchase or request donations for raffle prizes
plan schedule for the evening (time for speeches, presentations, etc.)
prepare menu and grocery list
choose and hire caterer and serving help
hire entertainers -- or arrange a sound system and select recorded music

DO-IT-YOURSELF

recruit some volunteers
assign jobs to help with planning, set up, serving, and clean up
purchase or make decorations and decorate the room
purchase or rent dishes, glassware, and silverware
purchase or rent table cloths, napkins, and serving pieces
purchase or rent decorations, centerpieces, candles, etc.
shop for groceries and prepare food

TIPS FOR HEADING OFF PROBLEMS

include every piece of pertinent info on the invitation or a separate insert
include directions, dress requirements, schedule for the evening, etc.
have guests RSVP a week before the event
so you have time to plan for adequate seating and food
let the facility know ASAP of any special needs you might have
AV equipment, chairs and tables, space for entertainers, etc.
put up directional signs pointing guests toward the right room
put up signs to the restrooms if they are not in the immediate area
confirm arrangements with hired service providers a few days ahead
caterers, bartenders, musicians, valet parking, wait staff, etc.

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box and a link to www.RamonaCreel.com.

Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.

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