January is the new December for Holiday parties. Here's why...

January is the new December for Holiday parties! Here’s why…

In the events industry, December is ALL about Holiday parties! It’s like the Olympics for events—it’s the all-out, craziest time of year. And, as a planner who wants to host a top-notch end-of-the-year event for your team, you might think that a party in December is the only way to go. Well, January might be your new best friend!

Yes, hosting a holiday party in December is festive. It’s a natural time for businesses to indulge in a little fun and celebrate winding things down for the year, but December events present real challenges too! Competition with other events is real, people are super busy, and every other planner is also trying to plan parties.

So, here are four key considerations that make the case for a January holiday party:

1. Vendor Availability:

Everyone that wants to host a December holiday party is vying for a few select dates—Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in December, between the weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas. This means there are only about nine dates when thousands of companies are trying to host their events. There are only so many event venues in a city, and only so many caterers, rental companies, florists, A/V, DJ, and photography companies to work those events. If you move to a January party, you literally remove 90% of the competition and are competing with only a fraction of the other planners who are looking to secure a venue and vendors. Planning will undoubtedly be easier if you bump your event to January.

2. Pricing:

You will save thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars on your event if you host it in the new year. This is a no-brainer. Because of December’s frenzy, every single event vendor and venue will require higher-than-normal minimum orders. They will have dozens of inquiries for the same dates and will favor the most lucrative of clients for those coveted dates. Supply and demand are at their peak in December and with limited resources comes increased pricing. If you focus on January instead, you’ll find less pricing pressure from your vendors and save a ton of money. Cha-ching!

3. Staffing:

Vendors are stretched thin in December. During eleven months of the year, an event company can run with a small staff. All of a sudden, in December, that same company needs like twenty more people and two dozen contractors. Those people will be brand new to the company and likely only there for three weeks. While every event vendor is doing their very, very best to ensure a great event, the reality is that vendors are burning the candle at both ends. This can add undo stress to your planning, errors in orders and execution, and just make for a challenging experience altogether. If you host your event in January, you will likely get your vendor’s core team and reduce your stress during the execution and planning.

4. Party Fatigue:

Everyone that you want to invite to your event is also getting invited to 15 other December parties. Holiday get-togethers, tree lightings, family engagements, and winter break plans are at an all-time high during December. Fitting it all in equals calendar chaos and party prioritizing. Hosting your holiday party in December could actually be a stressor for someone who’s trying to squeeze it all in! Shift your party to January and you’ll likely find increased attendance.

We are finding several of our top clients are opting for January holiday parties. They are seeing increased flexibility in planning, reduced price pressure, less stress, and increased guest counts from their invitees. All good things!

Next time you start looking at the calendar to plan your holiday party, take a look at January and explore the options that become available to you.

Okay, okay, if you are dead set on hosting a December holiday party, booking your venue and vendors EARLY is key! In the San Francisco Bay Area, the best planners start reserving December dates as early as March and April. By August and September, our calendars are typically full for those coveted Thursday, Friday, and Saturday dates.

Ready to book your holiday event in January, or still want a coveted December date?

Reach out now, and let’s make it happen!