Holiday Party Excellence: Elevate Your Office Celebration

You're trusted with planning the office party, whether it's a holiday celebration or team happy hour. The pressure is on to get it right. How do you create a memorable event without breaking the budget? 

From stocking your office bar to working around hybrid celebrations, we'll help you throw a party that brings your team together.

What to Consider

Budget

Your budget drives everything. Wine and bubbles cost more than beer, but solid gin and vodka options exist at reasonable prices. Whiskey usually needs a higher investment. Know your numbers before you shop.

Guest Count & Mix

The average person drinks about 2.5 glasses of wine, four beers, or four cocktails at an office party. A good rule is to plan for one drink per hour times the length of your event. 

Think about your crowd, the people from church might have different preferences than recent college grads. For proper planning, divide your guest list into thirds and stock accordingly with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The 2025 Reality: Hybrid Celebrations

With teams split between office and remote work, successful 2025 parties address both groups. Consider shipping drink kits to remote employees or hosting parallel virtual toasts. Make everyone feel included, regardless of location.

Building Your Office Bar

Whether you're planning one big event or creating an ongoing happy hour culture, having the right inventory matters. Here's what makes everyone happy:

Clear Spirits

• Tequila/Mezcal
• Vodka (try Gray's Peak Vodka or Farrell Reserve Vodka)
• Gin

Dark Spirits

• Bourbon/Whiskey (Old Overholt Rye and Burning Chair Bourbon are solid choices)
• Scotch
• Rum

Wine

• Red (Cathedral Creek Cabernet is a crowd-pleaser)
• White
• Bubbles (Prosecco or sparkling wines work for toasts and celebrations)

Beer & Alternatives

• Domestic favorites
• Hard cider
• Hard seltzer

Essential Non-Alcoholic Options

Stock N/A beverages like sodas, juices, and quality non-alcoholic spirits. Inclusive celebrations mean thoughtful options for everyone, if they're driving, expecting, or simply prefer not to drink.

The Supporting Cast

Don't forget mixing ingredients: simple syrup, fresh juices, tonic, cola, and lemonade. Have a cocktail shaker, glasses, and plenty of ice on hand.

Quick Calculations

• One bottle of wine (750ml) = about 5 glasses
• One bottle of spirits (750ml) = 17 shots (1.5 ounces each)
• Beer = one per person

Creative Ideas That Actually Work

A fully stocked bar is great, but creative programming makes parties memorable. Here are ideas that encourage conversation and connection:

Beer Brackets

Have employees submit their favorite beers and hold a blind taste test. Create a simple bracket and let teams compete. It's a fun way to try new brews and learn something about your coworkers.

Weekly Wine Tastings

Each week, a different employee brings in a bottle for everyone to try. Have people guess what they're tasting and pair wines with light snacks. Employees often bring wines from recent trips or bottles with special memories which can be great conversation starters.

Designated Bartender

Select a new employee each month to make their favorite drinks for the crew. It's a great icebreaker and a way to expand everyone's mixology skills.

Themed Happy Hours

Plan holiday-themed events a few months out so employees have something to anticipate. Consider ugly sweater contests, white elephant exchanges, cookie decorating competitions, or winter wonderland themes. Holiday attire encouraged.

Virtual Toast Options for Remote Teams

Ship cocktail kits or wine selections to remote employees before virtual celebrations. Schedule simultaneous toasts across time zones. Use breakout rooms for smaller group conversations that mirror in-person mingling.

Easy Office-Friendly Cocktails

Spiked Coffee

Serves 1: Multiply ingredients by number of guests

Use leftover coffee from the workday and add whiskey for an easy afternoon pick-me-up.

• 2 oz Irish Whiskey
• 1 tsp ground espresso
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp hot water
• 3 oz cold brew coffee
• Fresh cream

Mix ingredients and serve. Use hot coffee instead of cold brew for a warmer version.

Pomegranate Champagne Punch

Serves 10-12

This vibrant, bubbly punch is the perfect festive cocktail for any holiday celebration. 

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 bottles chilled brut champagne
• 1½ cups white rum
• 1¼ cups pomegranate juice
• 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
• Pomegranate seeds
• Fresh mint leaves

Make a simple syrup by boiling water and sugar until dissolved. Combine champagne, rum, pomegranate juice, and syrup in a punch bowl. Add lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Add an ice block to keep it cool.

5 O'Clock Somewhere

Serves 4

Perfect for larger parties or happy hours.

• 1 can daiquiri mixer
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 bottle sparkling wine
• 4 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 cups ice
• 1 lemon for garnish

Add all ingredients to a bowl, stir, then serve in cups with lemon slice garnish.

Classic Gin and Tonic

Serves 1: Multiply ingredients by number of guests

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• 2 lime wheels or seasonal garnish

Add ice to glass, pour liquids, garnish. This super easy crowd-pleaser never disappoints.

Vinegar Mocktail

Serves 1: Multiply ingredients by number of guests

Don't let the name fool you—once mixed, this refreshing drink doesn't taste overly vinegary. A sophisticated non-alcoholic option.

• 4 large ice cubes
• 1 oz flavor-infused balsamic vinegar
• 4 oz sparkling water
• A squeeze of citrus
• Herbs or fruit to garnish

Add all ingredients to glass, stir, and enjoy.

Do's and Don'ts

DO ask for help.

Ask your coworkers to join in on the fun while planning, it’s a great opportunity to bond. But also, our team members love talking about wine, beer, and spirits. We can help plan your party to amaze your guests and stay within budget.

DO use delivery.

Make it simple and have your alcohol delivered, especially for big events. Let us handle logistics while you focus on the important things.

DO match wine with your menu.

If you're serving a meal, wine pairings elevate the experience. Good bottles exist between $8 and $15, though you can go higher if you want premium labels.

DO plan for N/A preferences.

Inclusive celebrations mean quality non-alcoholic options alongside your bar. Stock N/A spirits, interesting sodas, and fresh juices so everyone has something special to drink.

DON'T forget the season.

In winter, keeping drinks cold is easier than in summer. Consider adding spice or cream elements to winter drinks. 

DON'T skip the basics.

Have mixing ingredients and tools ready: simple syrup, cocktail shaker, appropriate glasses. And always have enough ice.

DON'T overlook shipping for remote teams.

Send drink kits or curated selections to remote employees so they can participate in virtual celebrations. It's a small investment that shows you value their presence.

Make It Happen

Office parties are about showing employees they're valued. Maybe you're bringing teams back to the office with weekly happy hours, or planning a major holiday celebration that spans in-person and virtual attendance. Either way, thoughtful beverage planning makes people feel appreciated.

Socializing is a huge piece that people miss when working remotely. By making your office (or your virtual celebrations) a fun place to be, you might be surprised at how it strengthens your team culture.