How to Organize an Employee Appreciation Luncheon

Organize the luncheon in the break or conference room so employees can come and go if they need to take calls or complete other work-related tasks. However, consider holding it during a slow period so the staff will be able to enjoy themselves without neglecting their projects and duties. You can also host it at the end of a half day so they can stay as long as they'd like.
Let the staff vote on the type of food you'll serve. Choose a few local restaurants and pass around the menu of the 'winning' eatery so employees can order their favorite dishes. You can also have lunch catered by a local Italian, Chinese or Indian food establishment if you need to organize it quickly.
Give a short speech to thank the staff. Discuss the specific project or financial report that led you to hold the luncheon and single out any employees and managers that contributed the most leadership, staff support or innovative ideas. Also present a brief update on the company's current status, the climate of the industry and news of upcoming projects and contracts.
Take the opportunity to present annual merit awards or give recognition to staff members with the highest sales or customer satisfaction ratings, for example.
Plan activities like company trivia or a 'Who Am I' guessing game in which you list the lesser-known duties of a staff member to see who can figure it out first. Award small gift cards to local eateries or office supply stores to the winners.
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How to Host a Kentucky Derby Betting Party

Ask guests to dress up for your Derby betting party. Women can wear ornate hats featuring flowers and pair them with pastel sundresses. Men can don their finest seersucker or light-colored suit -- and they shouldn't be too shy to wear pastel, either. Or, for a more literal interpretation, someone can choose to come dressed up as a jockey. Dressing in your Southern best adds a bit of festivity to the party and will make your guests feel like they're at Churchill Downs.
Design a menu featuring traditional Kentucky dishes. The Kentucky hot brown, first served at Louisville's Brown Hotel, is a hearty entree to serve to guests -- create open-faced sandwiches with turkey, bacon cheese and Mornay sauce. Pair the hot browns with Southern fixin's like potato salad or hashbrown casserole. For dessert, serve the aptly named Derby pie, another Kentucky favorite, a chocolate nut pie that also originated in Louisville.
Serve cocktails for adult guests. For the mint julep, combine bourbon, simple syrup and fresh mint to create the classic Derby concoction. Serve in julep cups, which are stainless steel cups, that are sure to keep your cocktails cold. Offer other types of Kentucky bourbon to build an authentically Kentucky bar. Offer sweet tea and lemonade as nonalcoholic options.
Ask each guest to draw a horse's name out of a hat and contribute $1 for a friendly wagering game. Write every horse's name and starting position on a piece of poster board and write the guests' names next to the horse they drew. After the race, the winner gets to take home the pot.
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How to Host Appetizers for a Progressive Dinner Party

Find out from the party organizers how many people will be attending. Plan what appetizers and drinks you will serve. Restrict your food choices to finger food, chips and dips.
Provide adequate parking in front of your house for the day of the party. Progressive dinner party attendants may carpool together, but do what you can to make parking for many cars as easy as possible.
Get out dishes and utensils ahead of time, especially if the party is starting at a different location. Have your platters and serving dishes set up and put them in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. Get out the drinks and mixers you will be serving if you are serving cocktails. Set up chairs, decorations and anything else you want to have out for the party.
If you start at a different location, leave early so you can prepare for your leg of the party. Go home and take your platters out of the refrigerator and get everything set up for the guests' arrival.
Keep your eye on the time during the party. Progressive dinner parties are on a schedule and you'll need to let the guests know when it's time to wrap things up and head to the next location.
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