The Future of Holiday Parties
with thoughts on AI from Olive Pique, HOST’s resident event expert and mascot
SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS, REIMAGINED
From budget freezes to “no travel, please” policies, planners everywhere are hearing the same message: “Plan the party, but…” Talk about a Miracle on 34th Street moment. Today’s corporate holiday celebrations are being shaped by shifting priorities, leaner teams, and the need for inclusive, meaningful engagement that doesn’t break the bank (or anyone’s spirit).
At HOST, we’ve been sleighing these challenges all season—and our September blog series is proof.
Missed the others? Get caught up here:
→ The Retreat from DEI & Cultural Celebration
→ AI and the Fall Event Planning Season
We had so many ideas for reimagining year-end events, we couldn’t fit them all into two posts. So we’re making it a trilogy.
Jack Skellington—The Nightmare Before Christmas
Where Connection Meets Creativity This Season
The good news? Celebrating doesn’t need to stop. But it does need to evolve.
Just because the party doesn’t look the way it used to… doesn’t mean it can’t be unforgettable. The most impactful end-of-year events we’re seeing do more than fill a calendar—they build connection, spark joy, and align with what people actually want right now: less stress, more intention, and a reason to show up (even if it’s via Zoom).
As Jack Skellington wisely put it, “Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can’t believe it.”
Thoughtful to Totally Unexpected EXPERIENCES
Whether you're planning for internal teams, external clients, or both, one thing is clear: connection matters. These standout experiences are more than just fun—they’re strategic tools for building loyalty, boosting morale, and showing appreciation in a way that actually lands. Best part? They’re flexible, hosted, and designed to make you look good (without the planning burnout).
Taste the Joy:
Chocolate + Cheese Tastings
Skip the boring holiday gift boxes and send a delicious experience instead.
Chocolate Tastings are perfect for “adult trick-or-treats” or midday morale boosts
Cheese Tastings pair beautifully with wine, cider, or just team banter
Great for clients or teams, hosted virtually or in-person with culinary educator, Adam Centamore
Curated menus with delivery for both formats are available throughout the United States
Game On, Ghouls and Elves:
FESTIVE FUN FOR FALL & WINTER
Interactive, hilarious, and actually fun. Our remote holiday games feature live hosts—including a vampire trivia master for spooky season. Fully remote or hybrid-friendly, costume-optional (but encouraged—even for pets). Great for distributed teams or a lighthearted break between meetings and Q4 madness.
Great for remote and hybrid teams
Team costumes encouraged (yes, pets too)
HOST has games for every occasion!
Halloween Howler Trivia with vampire host
Murder Mystery Theater Shows with professional actors
Varieties of Bingo Games for heritage celebrations, holiday fun, or just because
Elf’s Merry Mingler Game Show LIVE from Santa’s workshop
& dozens more to bring the laughter and joy to your gatherings
For an extra treat, send tasty goodies for people to enjoy while they play. HOST can make it happen, even outside the U.S.
SEASON’S EATINGS:
Seasonal Cooking + Baking Classes
Perfect for teams and client groups. Choose a cozy pie-baking class or a festive appetizer session. We can send kits or help you pivot to a budget-friendly gift card alternative so attendees can shop local. Either way, it’s hosted, hands-on, and full of flavor (not planning stress).
Add CHEFkits or send Visa gift cards for local shopping. HOST can make it happen!
Perfect for team bonding or client appreciation
Fully remote, interactive, scalable, and budget-friendly
Go Global:
Real-Time LIVE Virtual Travel Tours
Here’s a wild idea: while your in-person guests enjoy regional dishes, stream a LIVE tour from that very region.
Dinner + destination = mind blown. These interactive travel tours are also incredible on their own, especially for remote teams or client thank-you events.
Perfect for heritage celebrations or year-end wrap-ups
Add food pairings for a full-sensory experience
Hosted in real time—no slideshows, no boredom
100+ destinations around the world with local guides showing you their neighborhoods, culture, and places of interest
Hispanic Heritage Month Featured Destinations:
Mexico City | Independence Day + vibrant culture
Lima, Peru | Food, art, and storytelling
Buenos Aires, Argentina | Tango, tradition, and urban exploration
Bahia, Brazil | Afro-Brazilian rhythms + carnival energy
Global Holiday Tour Features:
India | Diwali
Jerusalem | Chanukkah
NYC | Christmas in the Big Apple
Slovenia | Holiday Markets
Mug IT UP:
THE ART OF THE GIFT
Skip the bulk logo mugs. Instead, invite clients or team members to create their own—featuring your logo plus a hand-written message from their favorite sales rep or manager. It’s heartfelt, unexpected, and destined to become a desk staple (not a re-gift).
Remotely hosted creative art sessions
Custom kits shipped with ceramic mugs + tools from HOST
A nostalgic throwback to those homemade gifts of your childhood—but actually good!
GET IN THE SPIRIT:
Whiskey Blending Bash
Looking for a showstopper? Want to knock the socks off a top client or close out the year with an executive-level experience? This is the one! Available virtually or in-person, this curated whiskey blending event turns casual appreciation into unforgettable connection. Cheers to being top of mind—not bottom of the barrel.
Let’s just say: top shelf memories are made here.
Fully hosted and guided by Timber Creek Distillery owner, Camden Ford
Custom blending kits shipped to guests via HOST
Available virtually or in-person
This experience sells out every Q4 since 2022!
Planning Made Easy, THE HOST WAY
We make it ridiculously simple for you to pull off events—big or small.
Custom digital invitations- Branded registration landing pages
- Real-time shipping and tracking support
- Auto-email reminders + event updates
- Private event calendars to house every event in one place (no extra cost!)
Whether it’s one party or a seasonal series, we help you
pull it off with zero stress.
✍️ A Note from Amy
Let’s be real: the “holiday planning season” somehow starts in August and ends in a blur of receipts, regrets, and half-eaten gift baskets. I’ve been there. You’re juggling budgets, managing people, and trying to make magic without losing your mind (or your PTO).
That’s why we put together this guide. Because the end-of-year celebration doesn’t need to be another stressful task—it can be a spark. A reason to laugh, connect, and truly enjoy being on the same team.
At HOST, we’re big fans of doing things differently. Whether it's a game night with a remote vampire, chocolate tastings that melt the hearts of even the Scroogiest, or giving your team a passport-free trip abroad—we’re here to help you pull it off with style, heart, and as little stress as possible.
Cheers to skipping the chaos and keeping the joy.
Let’s figure it out, together.
— Amy O’Neil
Owner, HOST Events | ONAR Event Services
🫒 Olive Has Thoughts
Here’s the deal: you don’t need sleigh bells or snow machines to pull off something memorable.
What your people actually want? To laugh a little, connect a lot, and feel like they matter. Whether you’re whisking them away on a virtual travel tour or sending them a mug that wasn’t mass-ordered into mediocrity—magic lives in the details.
So go big, go bespoke, or go full Cindy Lou Who. And if anyone asks where you got your sparkle from? Just say, "Buddy the Elf sent me".
—Olive Pique, HOST mascot + honorary holiday party planner
Yippee-Ki-Yay, Let’s Celebrate!
We’ll help you pull off something unforgettable—without the stress, spreadsheet chaos, or group chat drama. Whether it’s one epic party or a season full of surprises, we’ve got your back.
Let's Get The Party StartedCheck Out HOST's Easy Planner Model