Office holiday party ideas in Austin, with a timeline

The best office holiday party ideas in Austin all start with a simple timeline: set the basics 8 weeks out, then lock in one piece each week until party day. Book your frozen drink machine early, since our December dates start Dec 4 and early December fills fast.

If your party is only a few weeks away, don't panic. Start at the step that matches your calendar and move a little faster.

8 weeks out: set the basics

• Pick a date. Weeknight afternoons, Friday lunches, and early evenings all work. Our machines are booked out Nov 21 to Dec 3, so plan a December party for Dec 4 or later.
• Set a budget. Decide what you can spend on food, drinks, decor, and activities.
• Estimate headcount. Include partners or families if you plan to invite them.
• Choose a place. The office, a break room patio, a park pavilion, or a rented venue.

6 weeks out: book the big pieces

Book your venue, caterer, and frozen drink machine now. Online booking needs only 2 days' notice, but popular December dates go early. If your event runs more than one day, you can book a multi-day rental of up to 7 days online. Our corporate event page covers work events in more detail.

4 weeks out: send invites

Send invites with the date, time, place, and RSVP deadline. Ask about dietary needs. Our free party invite maker makes a clean invite in a few minutes.

3 weeks out: plan food and drinks

Pick your menu and your flavors. A two-bowl machine serves two flavors at once, so you can offer one margarita and one alcohol-free slushie. Every mix is alcohol-free until you add alcohol, which makes it easy to include coworkers who don't drink. Label each side clearly.

Holiday-friendly picks include Cherry Limeade, Frosé, Peach Bellini, and Mocha Cappuccino. Add a festive rim with Peppermint Cocktail Sugar or Chocolate Cocktail Sugar. For more flavor ideas, read our guide to office holiday party frozen drinks.

2 weeks out: plan the setup

Walk the space and check these details:

• A garden hose and water source, ready when we arrive
• A sturdy table, or our rolling machine cart (rent one per machine)
• A spot that isn't on rock or gravel
• A generator of at least 3,500 watts per outlet if your party is at a public park

1 week out: confirm the details

Confirm your final headcount. One machine serves up to 100 guests, and bigger teams rent 2 or 3 machines. A margarita mix makes about 75 frozen drinks of 8 oz, and most slushie mixes make about 50. Order extra cups and straws in packs of 50 if you need them. Rent an ice chest (120 to 150 quarts) for water, soda, and other drinks.

Party day

Margarita Steve or our team delivers, sets up, and shows you how the machine works. The machine needs 2 to 3 hours to freeze the first batch, so plan delivery well before the party starts. With same-day drop-off and pickup, we deliver and pick up on the party day, then clean the machine for you.

Office holiday party ideas for Austin teams

Fill the calendar with a few easy activities:

• Ugly sweater contest. Let the team vote by secret ballot.
• White elephant gift swap. Set a simple theme to keep it fun.
• Taco bar. It pairs perfectly with frozen margaritas and slushies.
• Cookie decorating station. Great for teams that bring their kids.
• Photo booth corner. Add props, a holiday backdrop, and the drink machine in the shot.
• Year-in-review awards. Hand out silly awards for wins your team remembers.

Ready to plan? Check dates and book online, or get a quick estimate first.