Maximizing Your Holiday Party Budget: Corporate Event Planning With 23 Layers

As the festive season approaches, companies across New York City begin planning their holiday parties—events that celebrate the year’s successes and strengthen connections among team members. However, crafting a memorable event in NYC can quickly stretch a corporate budget, especially during the high-demand winter months.

Jessica Boskoff, founder and CEO of 23 Layers, a corporate event planning company based in New York, offers strategies to balance holiday cheer with financial efficiency. Here’s how companies can maximize their budgets while delivering a standout event in winter 2024.

IMAGE: PIXABAY

Timing Is Everything

The timing of your corporate holiday party plays a pivotal role in determining overall costs. While December weekends are prime real estate for event venues, shifting your celebration to early December or mid-January can save significantly on venue rentals without sacrificing festive vibes.

Many spaces maintain holiday decor throughout January, so your event can feel seasonal even after the holiday rush.

Weekday events also have a price advantage, with Mondays through Wednesdays often priced 20-30% lower than weekend dates. This flexibility in scheduling can allow companies to reallocate funds toward other areas, like entertainment or catering.

Rethinking Venue Options

While Manhattan’s iconic event spaces are undeniably appealing, they come with a premium price tag. Exploring neighborhoods like Long Island City or DUMBO can reveal hidden gems offering skyline views at a fraction of the cost.

Venues like The Foundry or Greenpoint Loft combine industrial charm with customization potential, allowing companies to put their unique stamp on the space.

Jessica Boskoff and her team at 23 Layers often recommend venues that already feature holiday-themed decor, which can significantly reduce decorations’ expenses. A venue with a pre-existing seasonal ambiance cuts down on the need for extensive decor, saving both time and money.

Smarter Catering Solutions

Food and drink are central to any great holiday party, but they don’t have to break the bank. Instead of a traditional plated dinner, consider food stations or past hors d’oeuvres. These options encourage mingling and reduce staffing needs, which can make a noticeable difference in cost.

Interactive catering—such as gourmet mac-and-cheese bars or dessert stations—adds a fun twist while remaining cost-effective.

Another strategy for budget-conscious planning is working with lesser-known but highly talented caterers. Up-and-coming culinary teams may offer competitive pricing while striving to showcase their skills to corporate clients.

Creative Entertainment Options

Entertainment can elevate any corporate event, but it doesn’t have to mean hiring a high-priced band. A DJ is often a more budget-friendly option, offering music that appeals to various tastes.

Consider smaller-scale additions like tarot card readers, caricature artists, or live jazz trios for cocktail hour to enhance the atmosphere.

These options provide guests with engaging experiences without requiring the hefty investment of a full band or headlining act. According to 23 Layers, a mix of unique and interactive entertainment can often be as impactful as a big-name performance.

Budget-friendly Decor Ideas

Decor can leave your budget alone. Instead, focus on creating high-impact areas like the event’s entrance or main gathering space. Lighting can transform a venue more effectively—and often more affordably—than intricate floral arrangements.

Strategic use of LED lights, projection mapping, or candlelit accents can make a space feel magical while keeping costs in check.

Renting pre-designed decor packages is another option for budget-conscious companies. Many event planners, including 23 Layers, work with rental partners who offer customizable decor themes that align with a company’s branding while keeping costs manageable.

Technology That Works For You

Incorporating tech-based elements is an excellent way to create a modern and interactive event. Social media walls, where photos tagged with a party-specific hashtag are displayed in real-time, encourage engagement and create a fun keepsake for attendees.

Projection mapping can turn blank walls into dynamic displays, showcasing seasonal visuals or company highlights.

Custom event apps are another practical addition, offering schedules, activity details, and even interactive polls to keep guests engaged. These tech enhancements often provide a “wow factor” without the high costs associated with elaborate physical decor.

Vendor Partnerships That Save Time And Money

Partnering with vendors that handle multiple aspects of event production can streamline costs. Some companies now offer bundled services, including furniture rentals, lighting, and decor, which are often more economical than hiring separate specialists for each element.

Locking in multi-event contracts with a trusted vendor can yield additional savings for companies planning multiple events throughout the year.

Corporate event planners like 23 Layers regularly collaborate with vendors who offer these types of packages, ensuring clients get the most value for their budgets while maintaining a polished, cohesive event design.

A Balance Of Celebration And Smart Spending

Corporate holiday parties are about more than just the celebration—they’re an opportunity to bring teams together, boost morale, and leave a lasting impression. By thoughtfully managing timing, venue selection, catering, and decor, companies can achieve these goals while staying within budget.

With careful planning and the right partnerships, such as those offered by 23 Layers, businesses can deliver an event that feels special and financially responsible.

This winter, NYC’s vibrant energy provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable corporate gathering where every dollar is spent purposefully.

IMAGE: PIXABAY

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