The holidays can easily be the most stressful time of the year. Traffic sucks, so does the music, and there’s all this societal pressure to have a tastefully decorated home that looks like Martha Stewart barfed up a glitter binge, filled to the absolute brim with well-behaved children and piles of expensive yet utterly useless gifts. It’s enough to make anyone lose their Christmas cookies. Add to that your boss Ted just fired his executive assistant for selling homemade bath bombs in the kitchen, and now it’s YOUR responsibility to come up with a kick-ass holiday party for the entire office, under budget, and better than last year’s fondue party. Don't curl up in a fetal position and cry, we’ve got you covered with this fun list of last minute holiday office parties, each one a relatively easy option when you live in Tampa Bay!
Go bowling: Pin Chasers is offering an awesome holiday party special: book an event for 20+ guests, get 5 more guests for free! All party packages come with at least 2 hours of unlimited bowling, shoes, balls, and you can add in your choice of buffets, platters, and drink service to fit your budget & the needs of your company. Want to take this party idea over the top? Bring a TV and set up a BigLebowsky viewing station! You can get started booking your holiday event by clicking the Pin Chasers link and giving them a call!
Get cookin’: Sur La Table in Tampa offers group cooking classes with a variety of options. Enjoy a cookie decorating workshop or learn how to make the perfect sushi roll, without the hassle of cleaning up after. You and your co-workers are sure to have fun and learn something new. Promise, there will never be a dull moment or an empty tummy with this last minute party idea!
Make stuff: Yes, I thought it was cheesy too until I went to a paint ‘n booze party at Painting with a Twist. I had an absolutely hilarious time AND ended up with a really cute gift for my mother. It’s really fun! There are several locations in the Tampa Bay area, and you can run to Costco or Sam's with the company credit card first for a bunch of cheap hooch and canapes. Just remember to bring ice - it’s the only thing they don’t provide.
Shake your booty: Have a group dance lesson! I promise it will be absolutely hysterical, and provide tons of photos for your company’s Facebook page. From ballroom to swing to hip hop, check out these studios to see which would be the best fit for your troop: The Hip Room Dance Studio, Librero's Dance Studio, Salsa Caliente Dance Studio, and Arthur Murray Tampa.
Hunt for it: Break into teams or use this as your own personal bar crawl while still being a “team player.” Watson Adventures will help you plan the perfect route through Ybor City. Get some exercise and some beers as you tear around Tampa’s historic Latin Quarter!
Cruise control: Yacht StarShip Dining Cruises is offering several specials right now, including a Happy Hour cruise! Enjoy spectacular views of Tampa’s waterfront, music, dancing, and cocktails with your co-workers and their weird significant others who seem nice enough.
Fire up your brain: Several local attractions have group rates and holiday specials. Pump that already-budgeted party money into an experience where you’ll actually learn something - call the Florida Aquarium, MOSI - Museum of Science & Industry, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Center, or the American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum to see what they have available!
Try to escape: Find out what your co-workers are REALLY made of at Rabbit Hole Escape Games. Conveniently located in Tampa's burgeoning Seminole Heights neighborhood, this is a surprisingly affordable and very on-trend option for smaller groups. AND, there's plenty of local craft beer bars in the area so you can make a whole night of it! Read more about this experience in Rabbit Hole Escape Games: fun escape room experience in Tampa Bay.
Destroy them with lasers: Q-Zar LaserTag on Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa has partnered with several local restaurants to bring you the easiest one-stop shop for your company holiday party. Book now and indulge your hidden desire to "pew pew pew!" that jerk in Accounting.
Whack the hell out of it: TopGolf Tampa offers a selection of affordable party ideas with or without alcohol, but every package includes three hours of Topgolf play. Relieve some of that holiday anxiety by hitting some balls around!
See, you still have a bunch of rad choices, so pick up your elf hat and make your reservation for a special kind of holiday cheer - the kind that's sure to have your co-workers feeling that yuletide spirit!
