Company Holiday Party Ideas for Dallas-Area Teams

A company holiday party doesn't need a banquet hall. Around Dallas, one of the easiest versions to pull off is hosted at your own office, courtyard, or parking lot, with a tent, cocktail tables, and good lighting doing the job a venue would. December evenings here are cool but rarely harsh: DFW averages a high near 59 and a low near 40. The sun sets around 5:20, so an after-work party is a party after dark. Pick your date first, because December weekends are busy for every kind of celebration.

At a glance

• Format: cocktail style, with a few seated tables for anyone who wants one.
• Timing: sunset is around 5:20 p.m. in December, so plan lighting from the first minute.
• Weather: lows average near 40, so put people under a tent and expect coats.
• Booking: reserve rentals as soon as the date is set.

Holiday party ideas that work for Dallas-area companies

Host it at the office instead of a venue

Venues usually come with food and drink minimums and a fixed schedule. Your own courtyard or a section of the parking lot, set up under a tent, costs you neither, and everyone already knows how to get there. People also tend to stay longer when they're not watching the clock on a room rental.

Go cocktail style

Assigned seating splits people into the same groups they sit with all year. Highboy cocktail tables get coworkers moving and talking to people from other departments. Add a few regular tables and chairs along the edge for anyone who wants to sit and eat.

Give people a photo spot

A photo booth or a flower wall gives the party something to do besides stand around, and people actually share those pictures afterward. It also works well as the backdrop for a quick team photo.

Make it a family afternoon

If evening parties don't suit your team, invite spouses and kids for a daytime party that wraps up before sunset. You get warmer temperatures and natural light, and nobody has to find a babysitter.

Keep the food simple and hot

A catered buffet or a food truck in the lot both work. If the food comes in pans, chafing dishes keep it hot while people go back for seconds, which matters more in December than in May.

How should you plan for December weather?

Plan for the cold rather than hoping it holds off. With average lows near 40, an outdoor party gets chilly once the sun is down. A tent keeps off any drizzle and holds in a bit of warmth, and warm drinks help. Patio heaters can take the edge off too, but set them at the open edge of the tent, not under the canopy, and keep them well clear of the fabric, tables, and decorations. Tell guests ahead of time that part of the party is outside so they bring a coat. If the forecast turns ugly, have a plan for moving the food and the gathering spot indoors.

What to rent for an office holiday party

• A tent sized to your headcount. A common planning rule is about 10 square feet per seated guest and 6 to 8 standing. That puts a 20x20 tent at about 36 seated or 50 to 65 standing. For a company party we recommend the 20x20 high-peak marquee, which looks the most polished in photos.
• Black spandex cocktail tables, spread out so groups can set down a plate and a drink.
• A few tables and chairs for people who want to sit.
• Patio heaters for once the sun goes down, placed outside the tent edge rather than under it.
• A photo booth or flower wall for the photo spot.
• Chafing dishes if the food is served buffet style.
• String lights or other lighting, since it will be dark before the party gets going.

The same plan works for picnics and fundraisers

Company picnics, fundraisers, customer appreciation days, and community events come down to the same decisions. Start with a realistic headcount and the space, because a park picnic, a parking-lot vendor fair, and a seated fundraiser each need different amounts of seating, shade, and room to move. Leave clear paths between the food, the seating, and the main activity so a crowd doesn't bunch up in one spot. Line up power early for A/V, registration, or catering, plan signage so people know where to go, and think through parking and accessibility for every guest. If there's a program or speakers, give them a defined spot with seating angled toward it.

Branding works best when it's understated. A clean welcome sign and your company colors worked into the decor say more about the organization than a wall of logos.

Questions we get about company parties

How far ahead should we book rentals for a December party?

As soon as you have a date. The earlier you reserve, the more choice you have on tent sizes and quantities.

Do you deliver to businesses and parking lots?

Yes. We deliver to homes and businesses across our service area, including office courtyards and parking lots.

Do you set everything up?

Delivery to your door is standard. Setup and styling are available as an add-on, and for a company event it's often worth it, because your team walks into a finished space instead of spending the afternoon arranging tables.

Planning a company party near Wylie or Plano?

We deliver across Wylie, Plano, Allen, Richardson, and the rest of our service area. See how we handle corporate and community events, or tell us about your party and we'll help you work out the tent size, the layout, and the rentals.