​Holiday party season always seems to arrive before we know it. One day you’re picking up Halloween candy, and suddenly you’re wondering how to seat 75 coworkers for a December event.

No matter if you’re throwing a Halloween bash at home, hosting Thanksgiving for your family, or putting together a company Christmas party, the same rule stands: a great party comes from thoughtful choices, not just doing more.

At BIG DEAL Company, we’ve organized all kinds of events, and we understand that just gathering people in one place isn’t enough. The real goal is to create an experience everyone enjoys. So instead of repeating the usual advice like “set a budget” or “book a venue early,” we want to offer tips that go a bit further.
Here are 10 holiday party planning tips to help make your Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or company event easier, more personal, and much more fun.

1. Plan the Party Around a Feeling, Not Just a Theme
​Before you start shopping for decorations, decide how you want the party to feel.
Do you want Halloween to be playful and a little spooky? Should Thanksgiving feel cozy and laid-back? Would you like your company Christmas party to be elegant, energetic, or completely different from being at work?  That feeling guides your choices. For example, “Winter Wonderland” is a theme, but “warm, relaxed, and sophisticated” gives you clearer direction for things like lighting, music, food, seating, décor, and entertainment.
Party Planning Tip: Pick three words that describe how you want guests to feel. Use those words as a filter for your planning decisions.

2. Give Guests Something to Discover
Some of the most memorable party details aren’t sitting right inside the front door.
Add a surprise for guests to find as the evening unfolds. For Halloween, maybe it’s a hidden cocktail area. At Thanksgiving, you could set up a backyard fire pit with blankets and after-dinner drinks. For a company Christmas party, try a dessert lounge, photo booth, casino room, karaoke spot, or a late-night snack table.
This way, the party reveals itself over time instead of showing everything right away. It also gives guests something new to talk about.

3. Think About the First 15 Minutes
Hosts often focus on dinner, entertainment, and decorations, but it’s important to think about what happens when guests first arrive.
The first 15 minutes shape the mood for the whole event.
Ask yourself:

• Where do guests put coats, bags, or umbrellas?
• How quickly can they get a drink?
• Is there somewhere obvious to go?
• Is music already playing?
• Will people immediately know what’s happening?
• Are guests going to stand awkwardly by the entrance waiting for instructions?

For corporate events especially, remember that not everyone walking into the room knows everyone else.
Give people an easy way to settle in before asking them to mingle.

4. Create Smaller Moments Inside a Bigger Party
A big room full of people doesn’t always lead to a great social experience. Sometimes, it just means everyone sticks with the same coworkers they see daily. Try setting up smaller areas within the party instead.

Set up cocktail tables near the bar, a cozy seating area, an interactive food station, games, a photo spot, or quiet corners away from the music. This works at home too. For Thanksgiving, don’t let the dining table be the only gathering spot. Offer guests a few comfortable places to relax around the house.

The aim is to help guests connect, rather than just hoping it happens naturally.
​

5. Don’t Make Food One Big Event
​Dinner doesn’t always have to happen at exactly 6:30 p.m.  Consider spreading food experiences throughout the party.
A Halloween party could start with themed appetizers and finish with a surprise candy and dessert bar. Thanksgiving might have appetizers before dinner and a pie-and-coffee station later. A company Christmas party could go from appetizers to dinner, then end with late-night comfort food. This way, food becomes part of the fun, not just a meal.

If you’re serving a buffet or leaving food out for a while, remember food safety. The USDA recommends keeping hot foods at 140°F or above and cold foods at 40°F or below. Perishable foods shouldn’t stay at room temperature for more than two hours.

6. Give Guests a Job…Without Giving Them Work
This works especially well for personal holiday parties. When people ask, “What can I bring?” instead of saying, “Nothing!” give them something fun to add to the party.
Ask everyone to bring their favorite weird Halloween candy. Have Thanksgiving guests bring a family recipe card instead of another side dish. Ask Christmas guests to bring an ornament with a story behind it. For a casual company gathering, invite employees to submit songs for the party playlist ahead of time.
When guests participate, they feel more involved. The key is to make it feel fun, not like a chore.

7. Plan for the People Who Don’t Want to Participate
Not everyone wants to wear a costume, dance, or drink alcohol. There’s always someone who prefers a quiet chat in the corner over joining the company karaoke contest.
That’s okay.

Great events offer guests choices. If you plan an activity, let people watch if they don’t want to join in. If you serve cocktails, make sure there are good alcohol-free drinks too. If the entertainment is loud, set up a quiet spot for conversation.
You don’t have to plan a different party for every personality. Just make sure there’s more than one way for guests to enjoy themselves.

8. Make Your Traditions Slightly Less Traditional
Holiday traditions are great, but they can become predictable. Instead of dropping them, try giving your traditions a new twist.
Turn the standard company gift exchange into a mystery auction for charity. Create a Halloween costume contest with ridiculous categories like “Best Costume Made in Under 20 Minutes.” Have Thanksgiving guests vote on the most controversial holiday food. Replace the predictable Christmas party raffle with prizes guests actually compete to win.
Keep the parts people enjoy, but change up the things they’ve seen many times before. Even a small change can make a familiar holiday celebration feel fresh.

9. Have a Plan for the End of the Party
​We often focus on how parties start, but not enough on how they end. This can lead to an awkward finish, with guests unsure if it’s time to leave. Plan for a natural ending to the evening.
Maybe dessert signals the final hour. The DJ announces a last song. A corporate party ends with a final prize drawing. Thanksgiving wraps up with coffee and leftover containers ready to go.
If you’re serving alcohol, plan ahead for safe transportation. Suggest designated drivers, rideshares, or hotel shuttles instead of waiting until the last minute. A smooth exit is part of a good guest experience.
​
10. Decide What You DON’T Need
​This might be our favorite tip: you don’t need to use every holiday party idea you find online. You don’t need six activities, three signature drinks, custom napkins, fancy centerpieces, a photo booth, live entertainment, party favors, a hot chocolate bar, and a giant balloon display just because they all look great.
Focus on the details that matter most. If the food is great, let it be the highlight. If you have a fantastic band, make sure guests can enjoy the music. If Thanksgiving is about gathering your favorite people, don’t stress about making everything look perfect for social media.
Sometimes, cutting back on party details is just as important as planning them.

​Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas: Make It Feel Like Your Party
​The best holiday parties aren’t always the biggest or most expensive. The most memorable ones are planned with care and intention.

A backyard Halloween party for 20 can be just as memorable as a huge corporate Christmas event. What matters most is knowing your guests, setting the right mood, and focusing on the small touches that make everyone feel welcome.
If your holiday party planning list is getting longer than you expected, an experienced event team can help make things easier.

BIG DEAL Company helps businesses, organizations, and individuals turn ideas into well-planned events, so the host doesn’t have to spend the whole party worrying about the details. After all, you should get to enjoy the party too.
Check out more event planning ideas and resources from BIG DEAL Company, or reach out to our team when you’re ready to start planning.

The holidays might seem far away, but seasoned event planners agree that starting early is the key to a memorable celebration.

Each year, businesses that wait until fall to plan often find their favorite venues are already booked, entertainment is hard to secure, and budgets don’t go as far as they hoped. Companies that start planning in the summer have more options, less stress, and create better experiences for their teams.

At BIG DEAL Company, we’ve spent almost twenty years planning all kinds of events across Colorado, Wyoming and across the US! We know the best holiday parties aren’t last-minute. They’re carefully planned with enough time to make them truly special.

1. You'll Have the Best Venue Options
Popular venues fill up months ahead, especially for Thursday and Friday nights in November and December. Planning now lets you pick your ideal date and venue, so you don’t have to settle for less.
Planning early simply gives you more options.
​
2. Your Favorite Vendors Will Still Be Available
Photographers, DJs, caterers, entertainers, decorators, and rental companies all get booked quickly during the holidays.  When you book early, you can choose vendors you trust instead of just picking whoever is still available.
Need recommendations? Our event planning team already has relationships with many of Northern Colorado's top event professionals.

3. You Can Save Money
​Venues and vendors have more openings before the holiday rush, so you can compare options, negotiate prices, and lock in rates before demand goes up. You’ll also have time to make smart choices instead of paying extra for last-minute bookings.
Planning ahead can help you:

• Lock in pricing before peak season
• Compare multiple vendors to find the best value
• Spread event expenses over several months
• Avoid costly rush fees and expedited shipping
• Make smart budget decisions without feeling pressured

4. More Time Means More Creative Ideas
A great holiday party is more than just dinner and decorations.
Early planning gives you time to think bigger:

• Interactive entertainment
• Team-building activities
• Custom gifts
• Unique themes
• Signature cocktails
• Personalized experiences

With extra time, your event can truly reflect your company’s culture instead of feeling rushed.

5. Employees Can Save the Date
Holiday calendars fill up fast. Giving employees lots of notice helps more people attend and lets families plan around your event. The sooner you send invitations, the better your turnout will be.

6. Less Stress for Everyone
​No one likes rushing to finish vendors, menus, seating charts, and decorations just a week before the event. When you start early, you can make thoughtful choices instead of last-minute decisions. That’s why many companies hire professional event planners to handle timelines, vendors, logistics, and all the details.

7. Better Food and Beverage Choices
Food is often what guests remember most about a holiday party, and planning early gives you the best chance to create a menu everyone will love. Top caterers and bartenders book up months ahead, especially during the holidays. By booking early, you can schedule tastings, customize your menu, accommodate dietary needs, and add special touches like signature cocktails or dessert stations. Instead of being stuck with limited choices, you’ll have the freedom to create a dining experience that fits your event and leaves a great impression.
For holiday menu inspiration, the National Restaurant Association offers food and hospitality trends that continue to influence seasonal events.

8. You'll Have Time to Build Excitement
Your holiday party experience can start long before guests arrive.
With extra planning time, you can create anticipation through:

• Save-the-date announcements
• Countdown emails
• Employee contests
• Sneak peeks
• Theme reveals

This way, your celebration becomes a real experience, not just another event.

9. Weather Doesn't Have to Be a Surprise
Winter weather can impact travel, parking, outdoor plans, and transportation. Planning ahead gives you time to make backup plans and share them clearly if needed.
The National Weather Service Winter Safety Resources also provides helpful guidance for preparing for winter gatherings.

10. You Actually Get to Enjoy the Party
​Maybe the best part of planning early? You can relax. Instead of stressing over timelines, vendor arrivals, or last-minute problems, you can enjoy the evening with your employees, clients, and guests. After all, you've worked hard all year. Your holiday party should feel like a reward, not another project.

Spike that eggnog, Sparky, grab your favorite moose mug, and play BIG DEAL Company’s Christmas Vacation drinking game!  (free printable below)
***Disclosure: Please don’t drive after drinking to put up with your family.

What you will need: Any beer, eggnog, wine, or drink of your choice; a Santa hat; and a single shot of your choice (perhaps a lime Jell-O shot topped with cat food).
 
DRINKING RULES:
Take one drink every time…
●       Ellen calls Clark "Sparky"
●       Someone is wearing an ugly holiday sweater
●       There is singing or bells shaking
●       The swimming pool is referenced
●       Clark is wearing a sports team article of clothing
 
Additional rules…
●       The entire group takes a drink whenever an advent calendar door is opened.
●       You must yell “Shitter’s Full!” any time you leave to use the restroom, otherwise you must finish your beer when you return.
●       The first person to say “Get me somebody! And get me somebody while I'm waiting!” when Frank Shirley appears on screen for the first time chooses a person to finish their drink.
●       The first person to stand up & fully complete the “knock on the door, peek in…” correctly WITH hand gestures during that scene gives two drinks.
●       At any point in the movie, you can point to someone & yell "RUSS!" If they do not respond with "Right here, dad" they must take a drink (max once per person, this could get out of control).
●       Anytime someone misquotes a line in the movie, they have to wear the Santa hat until it gets passed to the next person.
●       When the movie is over, the last person wearing the Santa hat has to shotgun a beer & finish by saying “Ahh, It’s good, It’s good. It’s good.”
 
BIG DEAL Company is a creative collective of women here to bring you joy! We offer a variety of downloadable resources, tips and ideas to make any gathering a success. Follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest - and sign up for our online newsletter to stay updated on the latest event trends.

​The holidays in Northern Colorado are full of magic, from twinkling lights and cozy community events to steaming cups of cocoa and plenty of festive fun all month long. Whether you love exploring light displays, need to finish your shopping, or just want to enjoy peppermint treats, NoCo has something for you. We’ve put together the Top 33 Holiday To-Do’s across Northern Colorado so you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying the season. Put on your gloves, gather your friends and family, and let this list help you make the most of the holidays.

BIG DEAL Company loves and theme - and we love working with clients who appreciate a theme and beautiful décor! One of our clients is a national company that hosts 2 of their holiday parties in Colorado. This year we had the opportunity to plan the fun and support the following themes, "Jingle All The Way To The Jackpot" and a family party that was decked out in Traditional Christmas cheer!

The planning process for these December events began in May - prospecting venues, vendors, budgeting, theme ideation,  and all of the big details for these complex events. The casino holiday party included a band, casino rental company, caricature artist, fortune teller, dinner/bar, and AI photo booth!

The family Christmas party was a great way for all Colorado families to see Santa and Mrs Claus, write letters to Santa, have their faces painted, receive gifts from Santa - and eat, drink & be merry!

Thank you to all of the vendors and event team for making these events successful and for bringing joy to families across Colorado!

Are you hosting family over the holidays, or have you been put in charge at the office of 'company fun' at the Christmas party?  Make your holiday gatherings unforgettable with our Holiday Party Games Guide! From spirited trivia challenges to hilarious gift-exchange games and creative activities for kids, these ideas are perfect for adding laughter and joy to your celebrations.
 
***Disclosure: Please don’t drive after drinking***

1.      GIFT WRAPPING GAME
​Divide groups into pairs. Each pair of people stands around a table in front of a piece of wrapping paper, a roll of tape, scissors, ribbon, and shirt gift boxes. Each pair of players stands with one arm around the other person. Say "Go!” and the players must race to wrap their box with one person using only their right hand and the other person using only their left hand. (Keep the other hand wrapped around the partner's waist.) The first pair to wrap their gift box wins!
2.     ORNAMENT GUESS
A great way to start your holiday party is to have guests guess how many ornaments are on your tree when they walk into the party.  The person with the closet guess wins!

3.     TOOTHPICK TOWER MARSHMALLOW GAME
Supplies: Toothpicks, mini marshmallows
Who can build the tallest marshmallow tower? It may sound simple, but you have to be super fast and somewhat creative to win. Suggested for ages 10 and up.

4.    SHAVING CREAM SANTAS
Supplies: Shaving Cream, plastic spoons, and paper towels.
Divide into pairs. Each pair decides who will play Santa. The Santa covers his/her face with shaving cream. The other player is Santa's barber. Jingle a bell to start! The teams race to "shave" their Santas. The winning team is the first to have a clean-shaven Santa and set their spoon on the table. To signify they are done, Santa lets out a loud "Ho ho ho!” Tip: Make this an edible game for kids with non-dairy whipped cream.

5.     BALLOON STOMPING GAME
Grab a bag of dollar store balloons and give one to each player with some curling ribbon. Each player blows up their balloon and ties it to their ankle. Now blow a horn or ring a holiday bell to start the stomping!  Each party guest must stomp the other players’ balloons. The more you stomp, the better your chances of winning the game. The last person to have a balloon wins! Use masking or painter's tape to mark a circular play area on the floor.

​6.    DRUNK TREASURE HUNT
Hide two chests with gifts in them in two different locations and keep clues leading to the treasure hidden around your property. This sounds like a normal treasure hunt game, but this one is better: With every clue a team finds in this game, a bottle of whiskey is awarded. Each member of the team will have a shot of whiskey before continuing on their quest to find the treasure. With every clue they find, teams will drink more, making it difficult – and hilarious – to find the treasure. The best part is both teams will get presents and every participant will enjoy themselves – especially the ones who appreciate a drink or two.
​
7. NAME THOSE LOGOS
​Go through several magazines and cut out advertisement symbols (i.e. the VW logo, but not the word Volkswagen).  Paste each on the white side of a 3×5 card and have everyone go around the room with an answer sheet and try to identify as many of the symbols as possible.

​8.      DRESS UP SANTA
​With Dress Up Santa, you'll need plenty of space to play – preferably a large room, where there won't be much furniture in the way. Break everyone into 2-3 equal teams, assigning each to its own work area in the room. In each work area is a large cardboard box with a Santa Claus outfit (costume, boots, hat, beard, and all). On “Go,” all groups compete to be the first to dress up one of their team in the full Santa gear. Set the round for 3-5 minutes. To win, a team must use up all the items in their box and produce the best-dressed Santa.

9.     WHAT’S IN YOUR STOCKING?
For a large party, divide the group into teams of 3-5 people. Give each team a Christmas stocking full of holiday items that has been tied shut with ribbon. (Get the Christmas stockings ready ahead of time by filling them loosely with small, non-fragile objects: candy canes, plastic holly/mistletoe, plastic non-breakable tree ornaments, etc.)  Set a timer and give each team 3 minutes to feel the stocking and write down all the objects that they can identify by feeling them through the stocking. The team with the most correct items wins.

10.     AMAZING MAZE GAME
This game is ideal for children. Choose a variety of Christmas curling ribbon colors in a single roll or ball, one for each player. Tie a prize or party favor to one end of each ribbon. Hide the end with the gift on it somewhere in the house. Now, unwind the ribbon and wrap it all over the room – around furniture, over tables, under doors, anywhere to create a fun challenge. Tie a candy cane to the other end of the ribbon. Repeat for each player, tangling the ribbons if necessary. When the guests arrive, give each one a candy cane and have them follow the ribbon to untangle it (wrapping it around their candy cane as they go).  Let them know it leads to a surprise. Let the fun begin!

11.    CHRISTMAS WRAPPING “PIN THE BOW”
Wrap three large boxes. Line players up single file behind each box. Give each player a giant sticky bow, spin them around, and jingle a bell to start. Players must walk around the box, then pin the bow on top, return to the opposite end of the room, and sit down before the next team member goes. The first team with all members seated wins.

12.     FIND SANTA’S REINDEER
Buy some dollar store holiday stocking stuffers – reindeer, angels, Santas, etc.  Hide them around the house. Players must find reindeer to drive Santa's sleigh, 9 reindeer in all.  Attach a clue to each stuffer indicating where the next one can be found. When players find a reindeer, they will line it up next to the Santa. When all reindeer are placed next to Santa you announce the winner. The winner is the one who finds Rudolph. Winner gets a prize of their choice!

13.      CELEBRITIES
This is a great game for mingling at a party. Write the names of celebrities or characters on pieces of paper and stick them to players’ foreheads or backs (use tape or office Post-It notes). Make sure players don’t see their own name. The objective for players is to figure out who they are by interacting with other guests. Others can make sounds, give clues, or act out who you are. What a fun ice breaker!

14.     CHRISTMAS PIÑATA
Finding group holiday party games that everybody is sure to enjoy can be tough, but this idea will delight kids and kids-at-heart. Piñatas aren’t limited to kids’ birthday parties any longer! Look for one in the shape of an ornament or reindeer. Fill it with holiday candy and small toys, and let your guests swing away (just be careful not to knock over the Christmas tree)!
 
Whether you're hosting a family dinner, an office party, or a cozy gathering with friends, these holiday-themed games will keep everyone entertained and in the holiday spirit.
 
BIG DEAL Company is a creative collective of women here to bring you joy! We offer a variety of downloadable resources, tips and ideas to make any gathering a success. Follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest - and sign up for our online newsletter to stay updated on the latest event trends.

Pace yourself for this one with drinks that don’t have super high alcohol content.
​To pad your stomach prior to playing, kudos to the host for providing some "meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf."  (free game printable below)
 
***Disclosure: Please don’t drive after drinking.***
​

​DRINKING RULES:
Take one drink every time…

• The words "Red Ryder" are mentioned
• "Christmas" is said
• "You'll shoot your eye out" is said
• Ralphie fantasizes 
• Santa is on screen
• A Christmas carol is played 
• Ralpie's brother cries 
• Someone quotes the movie 
• Ralphie's mother appears to be intoxicated
• Anyone curses/swears with gibberish!

 
Finish your drink…

• When the lamp arrives
• When a Triple Dog Dare occurs 
• When Ralphie shoots his eye out 

 
Group Rules:

• Everyone must yell "Oh Fuuuuudge" every time someone exits the bathroom while playing.
• Bonus: If anyone can hold a bar of soap in their mouth for 1 minute, they can assign drinks to anyone else throughout the game!
• Together the group must sing, "Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra" at the right point in the movie.

 
BIG DEAL Company is a creative collective of women here to bring you joy! We offer a variety of downloadable resources, tips and ideas to make any gathering a success. Follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest - and sign up for our online newsletter to stay updated on the latest event trends.

The holidays are here and in full swing! During this special time of year, Northern Colorado transforms into a twinkling wonderland of shimmering lights and festive decorations. From the bustling city streets and storefront displays to the quiet corners of charming neighborhoods - one can hardly escape enchanting displays of holiday cheer.
 
BIG DEAL Company has compiled a list of holiday lighting marvels you won’t want to miss. Join us on this journey through some of the most captivating holiday light displays that Northern Colorado has to offer:

• Gardens on Spring Creek’s Garden of Lights: The Fort Collins botanical garden transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday displays including rainbows, towering flowerbeds, and larger than life lighted floral displays. Tickets can be purchased here: https://gosc.ticketapp.org/portal/pid/2/product/74

• Explore this expansive list of private residences: Is your neighbor on this list? K99’s website shares the locations of all of the homes entered in the Pedersen Toyota Light Up NoCo Contest. Discover homemade holiday displays shining brightly from Fort Collins to Loveland to Greeley. These displays will be numbered and you can vote for your favorite. Catch the entire list here.

 
Most of these displays are available to view through the end of December and some beyond. Remember to check operating hours, admission fees, and any specific guidelines before visiting these displays, as some might require reservations or have limited viewing times.
 
Happy holidays from BIG DEAL Company and enjoy exploring these enchanting holiday light displays in Northern Colorado!

BIG DEAL Company was thrilled to help Western Midstream Partners (WES) with their family holiday party in Platteville, CO. We were charged with pulling together a way for families to connect and feel celebrated by their employer. 

While we cannot share photos of all of the happy children and families - we can tell you that we accomplished our goal ---- a successful event and JOY spread to all who attended!

BIG DEAL Company was thrilled to assist with all of the details for this huge corporate holiday party for Western Midstream Partners (WES). For months we have been living in spreadsheets, contract negotiations and decorating strategy. Working on events with this level of detail is what we live for!

Below is a general list of deliverables provided by BIG DEAL Company:
•RFP to all eligible facilities and hotels
•Presentation of available options to client for review 
•Contract negotiation 
•Event theme ideation
•Theme presentation for selection
•Invitation design
•DJ/Band RFP
•Research (vendors, venues, transportation, activities, dining)
•Venue site visits
•Hotel room block management
•Decor/Rental research and planning
​•Event signage and printed materials
•Itinerary creation
•Vendor and activity booking
•Vendor activity oversight onsite
•Prize ideation and purchase
•Gift giveaway management (drawing)
•RSVP tracking management & guest communication
•Parking management
•Registration desk/ check-in 
•Event budget tracking
•Full onsite event assistance by BIG DEAL team 

We appreciate companies like Western Midstream who find it important to celebrate their employees, and bring them together to bond and have some simple fun! We love bringing JOY to the job!