Low-Cost, High-Fun: Tips for Planning an Affordable Office Happy Hour
According to GISuser, hosting office happy hours is an important factor in creating a positive work culture. Such events allow employees to interact, bond, and strengthen their connections with each other. These gatherings can help alleviate stress and increase employee morale in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.
Harlem World notes that a 2021 survey of over 11,000 employees emphasized the importance of promoting a strong sense of belonging to retain staff. The results indicated that establishing a sense of belonging is the key driver for employee retention in an organization.
But if you’re planning your first happy hour or your office budget is tight, it can be challenging to make sure that happy hour stays both affordable and fun. Here are some tips for planning an inexpensive yet effective office event:
Create a Budget and Stick To It
Whether you’re planning an office happy hour or any other type of event, it’s important to create a budget and stick to it. This can be especially challenging when it comes to food and drink costs because these expenses tend to add up quickly. But if you plan, there are plenty of ways for your company’s happy hour to be not only affordable but also fun.
First things first. Make sure that all members of your team understand how much money is available for the event (including food and drink). Then, order accordingly, and decide what kind of cuisine would best suit the occasion. Whether that means serving finger foods or ordering pizza for everyone at the table. Once everything has been purchased and paid for, double-check that there aren’t any hidden fees from vendors like tax or delivery charges. After all, these add up quickly.
Finally, consider setting aside some extra funds as contingency money just in case something unexpected happens, such as needing additional decorations due to unexpectedly high attendance numbers caused by bad weather outside.
Plan Your Event Around Happy Hour
The best time to hold an office happy hour is during happy hour. It’s a no-brainer, but many people don’t think about this when planning their events. Happy hours are generally cheaper than other times of the day, so you can host a party on the cheap without sacrificing quality food or drinks.
GOBankingRates notes that happy hour is a time frame that usually falls between the post-lunch rush and the pre-dinner crowd. For instance, at Buffalo Wild Wings, it runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Similarly, Taco Bell’s happy hour starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
Plus, happy hours are typically more relaxed environments, And who doesn’t want to relax with coworkers? Check out local bars with great deals on food and drinks (or even just one or two), then take advantage of those specials when planning your event.
Keep the Food Simple and Delicious
When planning an office happy hour on a budget, keeping the food simple yet delicious is critical. Choosing affordable finger foods or having a potluck-style happy hour can help cut costs without sacrificing the taste. However, coordinating a potluck or choosing and ordering catering can be time-consuming and stressful.
This is where happy hour catering services like Cater Cow come in handy. They offer various affordable catering options that are easy to order and deliver straight to your office. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures that the food is professional, high-quality, and enjoyed by everyone.
Additionally, catering services can also provide accommodations for dietary restrictions and preferences, making it inclusive for all team members.
Utilize Technology for Music and Entertainment
It’s easy to play Pandora or Spotify on your smartphone or connect to speakers in the room if you have them. According to Digital Trends, with over 406 million subscribers and a music library of 80 million tracks, Spotify is widely regarded as the most popular music streaming app in the industry.
Its mobile app has features similar to the desktop version, enabling users to stream individual tracks or full albums and create customized playlists. Users can enjoy their preferred songs, generate playlists, and access podcasts even with a free account.
Another thing you can do if you have a projector is use it for entertainment. Like a slideshow of photos from recent events or an office-wide whiteboard game where everyone writes something funny on a piece of paper, then projects them onto the wall so people can vote on their favorite (or least favorite).
DIY Decorations and Themes
You can also save money by making your decorations. If you have office supplies and equipment, use them. Decorations are a great way to make the event personal and memorable for everyone involved.
If you don’t have much in terms of decorations or supplies, there are still plenty of ways to create an interesting theme without breaking the bank. One of my favorite ideas is setting up a photo booth where people can take pictures together or with props like hats and masks.
Another idea would be setting up an activity table where employees can come together to play games like cards or puzzles (and maybe even eat some snacks). These types of activities will encourage bonding between coworkers while providing entertainment value. And who doesn’t want that?
Conclusion
We hope these tips have given you some ideas for how to plan your happy hour. Remember, it’s all about having fun and getting to know your coworkers better in a low-pressure environment.
If you want to make sure everyone has a great time without breaking the bank, use our tips as inspiration for creating an affordable event that will be memorable for years.
