No Need to Say Bah-Humbug: Plan a Fun and Affordable Holiday Event.

  As we begin this holiday season, a lot of small business owners say they don’t feel much like celebrating.  It’s been another tough year, and there isn’t much evidence the economy is going to get any better in the near future.  As a result, many of the small business owners I’ve talked to aren’t planning a holiday party for their team this year.  There simply isn’t enough in the budget for a seasonal soiree.    While it’s understandable that cash-strapped businesses may be reluctant to host a traditional company party, keep in mind that these holiday get-togethers are an excellent way to say thanks to your team.  Plus, they serve as a good morale booster for the coming year.  There are ways to host a fun holiday gathering for your employees without breaking the bank.  Here are a few ideas * Time of Day.  Consider hosting an event during the day rather than the evening.  Breakfast or lunch gatherings are less expensive than evening events.  Also, the day of the week you select can make a difference, too.  The least expensive days are Monday and Tuesday when restaurants and other venues are not as busy.  You should be able to negotiate a much better deal than if you host your event during a busy holiday weekend.   *  Venue Selection.  Host your party in the office or in your home instead of at a restaurant or other off-site facility.  If you choose the office, make sure the environment is festive.  Turn on some music and get employees involved with decorations.  You don’t want it to feel like another boring business meeting with food.  *   Bring a Dish.  A Potluck party can be fun and inexpensive.  Ask your employees to participate by bringing in a favorite dish.  Encourage them to bring copies of their recipes for exchange, too.  Speaking of recipes, some businesses are opting for a holiday party cooking class instead of a traditional potluck.*  No Plus One.  Another way small businesses are managing costs is by making the holiday party an employee-only event.  If you prefer to allow your employees to invite a guest, ask them to contribute to cover the cost of the additional person.  *  Barter.  Bartering is always popular with small businesses, so why not barter for your holiday event?  You could barter with a caterer or restaurant venue.  The same is true for employee or customer gifts.  *  Give Back.  Conduct a food or clothing drive with your staff and arrange to deliver everything to the designated charity together.  Turn it into a fun, festive time that everyone feels good about.  *  Post Holiday Event.  Finally, you don’t have to hold your holiday party in the middle of the holiday season.  Consider waiting until January.  Not only will you find better deals, but also you won’t be competing with all the other holiday activities.