Work and home life don’t often intersect, so a good old fashioned company picnic is an ideal place to finally introduce your spouse to all the coworkers you’ve only ever gossiped about. Curated below you’ll find a step-by-step guide to watching your worlds collide outside the cubicle, and into the sunshine.
1. Location, Location, Location
Real estate company picnics already have this most crucial element in the bag, but the rest of us should keep in mind these tips in choosing where to book.
- Space – You’ll want enough acreage for activities, room to spread out a lot of sweaty team members, and designated dining services areas. It’s better to book a larger area than you think you’ll need. We’re going for a breezy frolic feel, not a crowded bazaar.
- Shelter – We are rooting for you when it comes to blue skies, but Mother Nature offers no guarantees. Be sure your location offers an indoor alternative to muddy conditions, or you have a party tent and large outdoor umbrellas to outsmart the weather and assuage the sunburns.
- Accessibility – Remember many will be schlepping all the trappings of parenthood, and a long distance trek to the bouncy house is a bad start to the day. Prevent grumpy faces with ample parking. The rule of bum, pardon me, rule of thumb is to provide at least one toilet per every 50 guests, so be sure the facilities are plentiful and conveniently located, whether they be brick and mortar, or our old standby, the porta-potty.
2. Comforts of the Office
- Name Tags –Be sure every last guest has a big, boldly written name tag to put everyone at ease and avoid the classic, “Honey, this is…the guy in IT I was telling you about.” We’ve all been there. For kids’ tags, be sure to label who they belong to in the event a child is lost, injured, or needs a time-out.
- Seating and Tables – A good stock of folding chairs and tables, mostly placed in the shade, are always appreciated. Spread blankets for afternoon naps, youth or adult, and be sure to park a generous amount of refuse barrels around the event, but particularly so near the dining tables.
- Manage the thermostat – If you’re expecting a barn burner, think about providing a handful of large industrial fans to help move stagnant air. Under dry conditions, a rented mister or sprinkler provides instant relief and a popular outpost for the little ones. Encourage safe summering by supplying sunblock at multiple stations, and perhaps branded baseball caps or folding hand fans.
3. Fuel the Team
Food – A picnic by definition includes some sort of seasonal, family friendly nourishment. We’ve got lots of ideas below, but be sure to include vegetarian, gluten and nut-free options, and designate an allergen safe serving table. We won’t be coy here, this is a situation where your caterer is going to be your best friend. From set-up to service to clean-up, leave matters up to the experts so you can let your hair down. (Get started here.)
Time-tested crowd-pleasers include House Smoked Pulled BBQ Pork, Sausage Links of every stripe, and Dry-Rubbed Chicken, with cool accompaniments like Deviled Egg Potato Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, and Bubb’s famous Slaw. September rests on the cusp between summer and fall, a perfect time to host Oktoberfest, with Knackwurst and Pork Schnitzel with Herb Mushroom Forester Gravy, with Bavarian faves like Buttered Spaetzle and Glazed Carrots. Explore Bubb’s Pig Roast menu, or Caribbean cuisine for a whimsical twist on backyard dining.
Beverage – A central filling station in the shade is a great place to congregate and cool off, however peppering ice chests throughout the event space is a helpful pit stop for those out and about. Keep the satellite coolers non-alcoholic since those tend to service the underage crowd, with lots of bottled water, boxed fruit juice and sodas, and if you’re really looking to party, fill one of every few with popsicles and ice cream sandwiches. Serve seltzers and beers with a branded can koozie, or consider renting a keg truck or food-truck bar.
4. Put the “Fun” in Function
We’re going to put this to you straight, because we’re all professionals here. Without multiple opportunities for entertainment, your picnicking personnel will show up for a few quick handshakes and then stealthily depart. Pump up the energy using the following slam-dunks.
- Music – a hired DJ, or a family friendly playlist. Spotify, Pandora, and Apple playlists include a ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s Hits streaming channel that creates a summer mood without any surprise profanity or suggestions to “drop it low.”
- Field Day Activities – Tug of War, Sack Races, and a Hula Hoop contest in varying age groups. Great opportunity to take Donna in Accounting down with one, swift yank of the rope and chalk it up to good, clean fun.
- Hired Help – Caricaturists, Face Painters, and Sleight of Hand Magicians are the hands-down most popular guests at any company fest. The second most popular is the boss willing to walk around with butterfly face paint art. And if they want to achieve legend status they’ll also sit in a rented Dunk Tank for a shift.
- Bouncy Houses – Yes, they’re a cliché. But they’re also certified battery drainers for any human being under the age of 13.
- Cornhole, Ladder Golf, Horseshoes – What a bouncy house is to a kiddo, a beer-fueled bags tournament is to a grown-up.
- Seasonal Treats – For fall picnics, set up a pumpkin painting station, a hay ride, or a caramel apple bar.
- Photography – Urge everyone to put down their phones and allow the pros to capture the fun on film and disseminate the memories on Monday. Include a backdrop with your company logo for posed family snapshots.
Contact All Occasions Catering today to talk through these and more great ideas for your organization’s summer shindig!