HRGuru

With my current employer, we are now allowed off site parties at Christmas.  We have had it at a club that was open for us alone. the entertainment was a Wii tournement (bowling) on a big screen.  We had the heats like softball or football playoffs and had people of all ages participate.  We sold raffle tickets for the Wii for 1 month prior to make money for buying the Wii.  We made more than we paid for the Wii from the raffle and we announced the winner at the party and they took the gently used game home.  We were in stiches watching some of these people play.

We have had dessert contests and the winner got a new set of Racheal Ray cook ware.  This added the sweet side of the holidays and got those that usually do not participate into it.

We always cater in the meal, this means not as much cleanup as previous years.

Valorie

At my company we have a Holiday Party every year.  We choose a theme (for example: Winder Wonderland 2009) and have a photographer come in for the evening and take pictures of employees with their guest.  Our employees love it.  It reminds them of their high school years. 

Other years we have had a company picnic where employees are invited to attend with their families.  Everyone is encourage to bring a dish.  We have activities for the kids and employees.