Have you started thinking about your company's holiday party yet? If not, time is sneaking up on you, but there's still time to plan a bash your employees will be excited to attend. Corporate holiday parties have a reputation for being a bit stale, but there are lots of ways you can get creative and inject some real holiday spirit into the event. Your party is a great opportunity to get together with your team, enjoy each other's company, and let everyone know how much you appreciate their hard work over the last year. These ideas can help you make it a party to remember.

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1. Pick a Theme- Want to turn a ho-hum get-together into a memorable one? Give it a theme. Even a standard drinks-and-catering party becomes a lot more fun when everyone is wearing masquerade masks or Hawaiian leis. You can pick about anything as your theme (just make sure it won't raise any eyebrows in HR). 

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2. Give Out Door Prizes- Door prizes make a welcome addition to any company party. Who doesn't love winning something? Think about what kind of prizes fit your budget and what your employees will appreciate most. 

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3. Break the Ice with Festive Activities- Party games aren't just for kids! Plan some activities to help your employees loosen up and get to know each other. Activities that require working together are especially great for building a sense of team spirit.

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4. Rent or Make a Photo Booth to Remember the Occasion

Encourage your employees to make their own Kodak moments by setting up a photo booth for your party. If renting a photo booth is out of your budget, improvise by making your own. Create a festive backdrop by decorating a piece of butcher paper or a white sheet. A string of lights makes a nice touch, too. Have plenty of fun props on hand (Santa hats and tinsel are mandatory), and get ready to strike a pose!

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5. Give Back to the Community- Put an altruistic spin on your holiday party by using it as an opportunity to help other people out. One way to do this is to hold a drive. Ask your employees to bring in non-perishable food for the food bank or toys for kids in need. Another idea is to take your employees out to volunteer as a group for a few hours. Lend a hand at a shelter or soup kitchen, or use a service like VolunteerMatch  to find another opportunity near you. Afterwards, take your team out for a casual dinner or drinks. Getting out and doing some good in the world will help your employees bond and get into the holiday spirit much better than another Secret Santa gift exchange at the office will.

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6. Have a Potluck- Keeping your party casual this year? Consider having a potluck so your crew can show off their cooking or baking skills. Potlucks are budget-friendly, and there are always a wide variety of delicious foods for everyone to sample. Keep things organized by creating a sign-up sheet for the whole office, so you know who's bringing what. Another fun spin on the potluck idea is to hold a dessert potluck. Have your main meal catered, and ask your employees to bring in their favorite sweet treats. You can even turn it into a friendly competition by holding a vote on the best dessert.

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7. Bring in Some Entertainment- Want an impersonator at your holiday party this year? How about a magician? Good entertainment can really take your party to the next level, especially if you hire a performer or entertainer that lines up with the theme of your party. If you're planning to book any entertainment, do it well ahead of time, so you don't have to scramble to find someone a week before the event.

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8. Switch Up Your Gift Exchange- Having a Secret Santa gift exchange can be fun, but let's be honest - it gets a little worn-out year after year. Try changing things up with a white elephant gift exchange, where everyone brings a gift that's strange, funny, or unusable.

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9. Have a Group Outing- While your employees will probably appreciate a great office party, they'll enjoy a day out of the office even more. Getting a change of scenery and doing something enjoyable together is often the best way to build camaraderie, so take the afternoon off and go somewhere with your team. Active outings, like bowling or ice-skating, are usually a hit. Other ideas include seeing a sports game or comedy show together, playing laser tag, or visiting an escape room.