Year-end and office party invitations

What to put on a company invitation

The clearer the invitation, the fewer questions in the team group chat.

• Date, start and end time.
• Venue with address; if it is a restaurant, its name.
• Whether the company pays or guests chip in (and the amount, if so).
• Dress code: everyday, smart casual or a theme (like Christmas sweaters).
• Whether there will be a Secret Santa, the gift budget and the date of the draw.
• The RSVP deadline.

Secret Santa: the rules on the invitation

Write the maximum gift amount, the date of the draw and how it will be done (in person, by app or names in a hat). If it is a chocolate or book Secret Santa, say so in the note: it avoids duplicate gifts and awkward moments.

Happy hour, dinner or company barbecue

An after-work happy hour calls for a short invitation with the time and the bar. A year-end dinner calls for a dress code and an early RSVP. For a company barbecue, say whether everyone brings their own drinks and whether partners and children can come.

New Year's Eve and New Year's dinner

For New Year's Eve with friends, give the arrival time, the suggested color to wear (white is the classic) and what everyone should bring. If it is at a beach house or in the countryside, send the map link right after the invitation.

When to send it

December fills up fast: send the office party invitation by the end of November and resend a reminder one week before. For New Year's Eve out of town, send it early in December.