Planning a corporate holiday party can be tough. If you’re thinking that you have tons of time, consider that December is really not that far away! Planning involves tons of work and it can be a difficult task to pull everything together — particularly if you’re the only person on the party planning team.

Don’t let the planning run away from you. Use these great tips to get that party planned and throw the best company holiday bash ever! At the end of the day, corporate holiday party planning is an art form. Let us help you create your masterpiece this holiday season.

1. Figure out the basic details of the party.

Is your party going to be on the work site or somewhere else? Is it social or going to include business content? How many guests may each person bring? Are children allowed? Will liquor be present? Weekday, night, or weekend night? How long will it be? Is there a theme? Figure these things out first because they’ll allow you to do everything else.

2. Book venues.

You’ll need to book with a venue, a caterer if you’re doing that, a liquor provider and service, entertainment, and an AV service if needed. Start earlier than you think with this one.

3. Invite guests.

You can figure out who is coming easily if you just send out invitations! Be sure you know how many plus one’s each person receives. Include all relevant information on the invite; how to get there, time starting, et cetera. You can go digital or physical, but make sure the invites are out (and you follow up with the RSVPs!).

4. Get things in writing.

Make sure you have agreements and COPIES of agreements with everyone that’s being paid. It may save you a headache down the line.

5. Set up goody bags or donations.

If you are setting up a party and have permission to put goody bags together for the event, go for it! Or make donations in the company’s name to a charity so you can really give back (just approve with the bosses).

6. Confirm with everyone involved.

Confirm absolutely everything with everyone with whom it needs to be confirmed. This includes partners, higherups, and anyone you need to clear anything with!

7. Share the planning.

Unless you’re a DIY person who knows it will only be perfection if you have total control, share the planning. Two heads are better than one, and it’s not all on you. You’ll have a partner in crime to not only split up the work but commiserate with if it all gets to be too much.

7. Arrive early on the day of.

By arriving early, you can make sure the big party gets pulled off and everything that needed to happen has happened. Be sure the people show up on time and everything is arranged just as it needs to be.

8. Get the pros.

If the budget allows for it, consider getting the pros to do it. After all, professionals that do this for a living will be able to execute a certain vision and really get everything done. A lot of the time, it’s definitely worth the money for larger companies and the results are often stunning.

9. Follow through and self-congratulate.

If you pull everything off and it goes smoothly, and you followed through to the very end, congratulate yourself! Planning is very hard and you did a great job. Don’t forget to celebrate your efforts! You deserve it.