Your Holiday Party Is Over – What to Do Next to Keep Momentum Going

Originally published on: January 22, 2025
Last updated on: January 21, 2025

Your Holiday Party Is Done – Now What?

The decorations are down, the leftover cookies have been devoured, and your holiday party is officially in the books. Congratulations on hosting a memorable event! But here’s the thing: the fun doesn’t have to end just because the party is over. In fact, the days and weeks after your holiday party are the perfect time to reflect, share, and plan for what’s next.

Let’s talk about how to keep the momentum going and make the most of your holiday party success.

1. Say Thank You (and Get Feedback!)

A little gratitude goes a long way. Whether it’s your guests, vendors, or the amazing entertainers who brought your event to life, make sure everyone involved knows how much you appreciated their contributions.

• Send Thank-You Notes: A heartfelt email or handwritten note can brighten someone’s day and reinforce the connection you’ve built. Bonus points if you include a fun photo or highlight from the event.
• Ask for Feedback: Surveys are a simple yet effective way to gather insights. Ask your guests what they loved most, and don’t shy away from constructive feedback. Tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey make this process a breeze.
• Show Vendor Appreciation: A quick shoutout or thank-you email to your entertainment provider, caterers, and event staff helps build long-lasting relationships. After all, they’re the ones who made your event shine.
• Host a Feedback Roundtable: For internal team members, organize a casual meeting to discuss what went well and identify areas for improvement.
• Create a Post-Event Feedback Report: Compile responses into actionable takeaways for future events.
• Incentivize Feedback: Offer a small prize or discount for completing your survey to ensure higher response rates.

2. Relive the Fun (and Share It!)

Your holiday party might be over, but the memories are just beginning. Sharing those moments keeps the energy alive and can even inspire others to plan their own unforgettable events.

• Social Media Recap: Post photos, videos, or even a short recap video highlighting the best moments. Don’t forget to tag your performers and vendors to give them some love, too.
• Leverage Testimonials: Did your CEO rave about the magician? Did your guests love the comedian? Collect those glowing reviews and share them on your website or social channels.
• Write a Blog Post Recap: Summarize the event with photos, a list of highlights, and a nod to your entertainment. Not only does this help with SEO, but it also positions your company as a leader in hosting standout events.
• Create a Highlight Reel: Compile videos and photos into a short video montage to use in future promotional efforts.
• Encourage Attendees to Share: Ask guests to post their favorite moments on social media and tag your company.
• Design a Digital Scrapbook: Create an interactive online scrapbook to share with attendees and team members.

3. Look Ahead (It’s Never Too Early!)

The best time to plan your next big event is… right now. Use the momentum from your holiday party to start thinking about what’s next.

• Plan Early: Whether it’s a summer outing, a team-building retreat, or next year’s holiday party, getting a head start ensures you’ll snag the best venues and entertainers.
• Evaluate Entertainment: Reflect on what worked well. Did your guests rave about the live band? Was the comedian the highlight of the night? Use that feedback to guide future bookings.
• Set Goals: Decide what you want to achieve with your next event. Is it about boosting morale, impressing clients, or just having a great time? Your goals will shape the experience.
• Create a Yearly Event Calendar: Outline all major company events for the year to stay organized and on track.
• Start Building a Vendor List: Identify vendors and entertainers you want to work with again or try out for future events.
• Introduce Monthly Check-Ins: Schedule regular planning sessions to stay on top of upcoming events.

4. Strengthen Relationships

Holiday parties are more than just celebrations; they’re opportunities to build and strengthen connections. Don’t let those relationships fade once the party ends.

• Follow Up with Attendees: A quick thank-you email can open the door for future collaboration or simply strengthen goodwill.
• Share Photos and Videos: Use LinkedIn or other professional platforms to share a few highlights. This can help spark conversations and even foster networking among your attendees.
• Reconnect Strategically: Use the event as a reason to schedule follow-up meetings or calls. Keep the connections warm by sending personalized messages referencing specific event moments.
• Start a Post-Event Newsletter: Summarize the party’s highlights and provide updates on future company plans or events.
• Organize a Networking Group: Encourage attendees to connect with each other for long-term relationship-building.
• Host an Appreciation Event: Invite key contributors to a smaller, more personal gathering to show your gratitude.

5. Keep Entertainment Top of Mind Year-Round

Great entertainment isn’t just for the holidays. Why not bring that same energy to other events throughout the year?

• Book Early: The best entertainers get booked fast. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure your favorite acts.
• Think Beyond Holidays: Employee appreciation events, summer picnics, and milestone celebrations are all opportunities to wow your guests with top-notch entertainment.
• Plan Theme-Based Events: Consider unique themes like casino nights, comedy showcases, or talent competitions to keep events fresh and exciting.
• Explore Virtual Entertainment Options: For remote teams, virtual entertainment like online comedy shows or digital escape rooms can be a fun way to engage.
• Partner with the Pros: At Funny Business Entertainment Agency, we specialize in finding the perfect entertainment for any event, any time of year.
• Experiment with Hybrid Formats: Combine in-person and virtual elements to engage a wider audience.

6. Evaluate Your Budget

Post-party reflections are the perfect time to assess how your budget was utilized. Were there areas of overspending or cost-saving opportunities?

• Analyze Event Costs: Break down expenses into categories like venue, entertainment, catering, and decor to identify where adjustments might be made in the future.
• Prioritize High-Impact Investments: Based on feedback, consider which elements (e.g., entertainment) had the biggest impact on guest satisfaction and allocate accordingly next time.
• Track Hidden Costs: Did unexpected expenses pop up? Document these to better anticipate them next time.
• Create a Post-Event Financial Report: Summarize all expenses and compare them to your initial budget to evaluate performance.
• Develop a Contingency Plan: Set aside funds for unforeseen expenses for future events.
• Consider Sponsorships: Partner with brands to offset costs for larger-scale events.

7. Leverage Success for Marketing

Your holiday party isn’t just an internal milestone; it’s a marketing opportunity.

• Create Case Studies: Showcase your event’s success in a blog post or downloadable guide to inspire others to host similar gatherings.
• Email Marketing Follow-Up: Share a recap email with attendees and include a call-to-action for upcoming events or collaborations.
• Boost Brand Visibility: Use branded hashtags, event-specific logos, or merchandise giveaways to keep your brand top of mind.
• Build a Portfolio: Use photos and videos from the event to create a dedicated section on your website showcasing your event expertise.
• Repurpose Content: Turn event highlights into smaller pieces of content like infographics, quotes, or reels.
• Use Testimonials in Ads: Incorporate guest feedback into paid advertising campaigns to attract future clients.

8. Avoid Common Post-Event Pitfalls

Avoid these mistakes to ensure your event’s success translates into long-term benefits:

• Ignoring Feedback: Don’t collect feedback just for show; use it to make meaningful changes.
• Delaying Follow-Ups: Timely communication is key to maintaining relationships and momentum.
• Skipping Documentation: Ensure all vendor agreements, attendee lists, and feedback forms are organized and accessible for future reference.
• Overlooking Team Acknowledgment: Don’t forget to thank your internal team for their hard work in making the event a success.
• Failing to Analyze ROI: Evaluate how the event met your objectives, such as client engagement or team morale.
• Underutilizing Content: Don’t let photos and videos sit unused; integrate them into marketing efforts.

9. Plan a Follow-Up Event

Capitalize on the positive energy of your holiday party by planning a follow-up event:

• Seasonal Celebrations: Host a spring mixer or summer outing to maintain engagement.
• Workshops or Seminars: Transition from celebration to education with value-driven gatherings.
• Quarterly Team-Building Events: Keep morale high by planning regular team activities.
• Exclusive VIP Events: Invite select clients or team members to special events to deepen connections.
• Mini-Team Celebrations: Host small departmental gatherings to maintain camaraderie.

Bonus Tips for Post-Holiday Party Planning

• Organize Event Photos and Videos: Create a shared folder where attendees can upload their snaps. This encourages participation and provides valuable content for future promotions.
• Highlight Behind-the-Scenes Efforts: Showcase the hard work of your team and vendors on social media. People love seeing what goes into creating a memorable event.
• Measure Success: Compare your post-party goals to the outcomes. Did you see an increase in employee engagement? Positive client feedback? Use these insights to refine your planning process.
• Recognize Outstanding Contributions: Highlight individuals or teams who went above and beyond to make the event special.
• Draft a Post-Event Playbook: Document your process to serve as a guide for future events.
• Share Key Metrics: Present data like attendance, engagement rates, and social media reach to stakeholders.

Conclusion

Your holiday party may be over, but the impact doesn’t have to end. By following up with gratitude, sharing highlights, planning ahead, and nurturing relationships, you’re setting the stage for even greater events in the future. Ready to start planning your next unforgettable celebration? Contact Funny Business Entertainment Agency today and let’s make it happen.