Tired of the same ol’ ugly sweater party and watered-down office punch? So are we.
It’s time to retire the breakroom vibes and bring your holiday celebration into the era of actually having fun. Whether you're planning for your team, your clients, or your most fabulous friends, we’ve pulled together some inspired ideas—and creative tips—for throwing a holiday party that people want to attend.
Let’s deck the halls — but make it cool.
Start with a Theme That Doesn’t Scream “Holiday Party”
Picking a “non-holiday” holiday theme can spark curiosity, drive engagement, and give you the perfect excuse to create a one-of-a-kind, Instagram-worthy experience your guests will remember forever.
We’re not anti-theme—we’re just anti-boring. Here are a few we love:
Après Ski, LA-style: Imagine faux snow, vintage lodge vibes, cozy knits, and espresso martinis. Bonus points for chalet-style snacks.
Disco Ball Drop: Metallic everything. Think sequins, glitter, mirrored surfaces, and a packed dance floor under the strobes.
Juice Cleanse & Champagne: For wellness-forward brands or health-conscious teams: start with cold-pressed mocktails, mini facials, and healthy bites.
Winter Noir Film Party: Inspired by old black-and-white thrillers: guests dress in grayscale, cocktails in coupe glasses, moody shadows and spotlights, and Hitchcock looping on silent screens.
Speakeasy Holiday Social: Secret password entrance. Inside: live jazz, whiskey tastings, vintage cocktails, and candlelit ambiance.
Cabinet of Holiday Curiosities: Every corner of the venue reveals something strange and wonderful: miniature art installations, surreal lighting, vintage ephemera, hidden treats, and playful oddities.
The Year 3000 Gala: Sci-fi fashion meets high-society winter gala. Picture immersive projections, AI-generated art, molecular cocktails, and futuristic elegance.
Design is Everything—Go Beyond Extra
Even the most brilliant theme can flop without the right mood. Lighting, décor, florals, table settings, menus, and entertainment all work together to build the experience. Want to make it pop? Work with an event designer—or ask our team at The Oviatt for vendor recs that can take your vision to the next level.
Hosting a Roaring ’20s Rooftop Soirée, for instance? Channel vintage Hollywood glamour with an Art Deco-inspired rooftop bash. Feathered headpieces, champagne towers, a cigar and whiskey cart, tarot or palm readers, vintage portrait booths, and candlelit cocktail tables under the stars.
Our tarot reader says: all signs point to an unforgettable night.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Bold
Memorable parties are the ones that surprise and delight. Be playful. Be unexpected. Create moments your guests can talk about, photograph, and fall in love with.
Book Early (Like, Now)
The best venues? They go fast. The best vendors? Even faster. You don’t want to be calling around in November only to end up in a beige-carpeted ballroom with fluorescent lights and sad buffet trays.
Booking early means more options, better creative flexibility, and way less last-minute chaos.
Don’t Wait Until November to Plan Like It’s Still 2019
Want your holiday party to be the one everyone’s still talking about in January? Let’s make it happen. Spots are limited—lock in your date now at The Oviatt.
