Company Holiday Party Invitation Wording: 6 Examples

Quick answer: A company holiday party invitation should clearly say who is invited, when and where to arrive, what food or drinks are included, how to dress, and how and when to RSVP. Decide the guest list first: employees-only, plus-one, client, and family events need different wording so guests know whether partners or children may attend.

Shop: Printed holiday invitations · Christmas note cards · Christmas gifts

Here is a complete sample invitation you can adapt. All company names, venues, addresses, email addresses, and event details in the examples below are fictional. Replace 20XX with your event year and check the weekday against your chosen date.

Please join Cedar & Finch Studio for our holiday celebration on December 11, 20XX, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon. Employees and one guest are invited. Dinner and drinks are on us. Please RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example with your guest’s name and any dietary needs. Dress: cocktail attire.

First, decide exactly who is invited

“Please join us” sounds friendly, but it does not tell employees whether their partners or children are included. Make the guest policy part of the invitation, especially if you need an accurate headcount for catering or seating. Use “employees only,” “you and one guest,” “clients and partners,” or “team members and their families” as appropriate. If you name individual guests, make sure the RSVP form asks for the same people.

Six company holiday party invitation wording examples

Choose the example that fits your guest list and tone, then replace the sample details with your own. Each example shows a different event format.

1. Casual employees-only party

Let’s wrap up the year with pizza, hot cocoa, and a little holiday cheer! Cedar & Finch Studio team members are invited to our casual office party on December 18, 20XX, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the staff lounge, 42 Paper Lane, Portland, Oregon. This one is for employees only. Wear your favorite festive sweater. RSVP by December 11 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example.

A casual invitation can sound relaxed and still make the details clear. “Employees only” settles the guest question; a specific outfit suggestion makes “casual” easy to understand.

2. Employees and one guest

Cedar & Finch Studio invites you and one guest to celebrate the holiday season. Join us on December 11, 20XX, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon, for dinner, drinks, and good company. RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example with your guest’s name and any dietary needs. Dress: cocktail attire.

“You and one guest” is clearer than “plus-ones welcome” when each employee may bring exactly one person. Ask for the guest’s name in the RSVP rather than following up later.

3. Clients and business partners

Cedar & Finch Studio warmly invites our clients and business partners, each with one guest, to a holiday reception on December 11, 20XX, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon. Enjoy cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks, and hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate another year together. Kindly RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example. Dress: business casual.

If the event is for named clients only, omit “each with one guest.” A specific guest policy is more useful than a vague “all are welcome.”

4. Team members and families

Bring the family and celebrate with Cedar & Finch Studio! Team members, partners, and children are invited on December 12, 20XX, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon. Enjoy a buffet lunch, cookie decorating, and holiday crafts. RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example with everyone’s names, children’s ages, and dietary needs. Dress: festive casual.

If the venue has an age limit or you are arranging children’s meals, say so in the invitation or on the RSVP form.

5. Cocktail reception

Join Cedar & Finch Studio for an evening of holiday cheer. Team members and one guest are invited on December 11, 20XX, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon. Cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks, and light bites will be served. Please RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example. Dress: cocktail attire.

“Light bites” sets a different expectation from dinner. If you are serving a full meal, say “dinner” instead. Likewise, avoid implying an open bar unless you are offering one.

6. Formal dinner or gala

The pleasure of your company is requested at Cedar & Finch Studio’s holiday dinner on December 11, 20XX, at Juniper Hall, 125 Lantern Lane, Portland, Oregon. You and one guest are invited. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.; dinner is seated at 7:00 p.m.; the evening ends at 10:00 p.m. Please respond by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example with any dietary requirements. Dress: formal attire.

For a ticket-style event, the invitation can carry the essentials while a coordinating card or RSVP form handles parking, meal choices, and other longer notes.

How to word the details guests often ask about

Plus-ones and named guests

Say “you and one guest” if each person can bring one companion. Say “team members only” or “this invitation is for the named recipient” if the guest list is limited. You do not need an apology or a long explanation. For more examples, see our guide to saying no to plus-ones politely.

Food, drinks, and dress code

Tell guests what kind of event they are attending: “dinner and drinks,” “cocktails and light bites,” or “dessert and coffee.” Add a dress code only when it helps them choose what to wear. “Business casual,” “cocktail attire,” and “formal attire” are more actionable than “dress to impress.” If your event has an unusual theme, spell out what it means. You can find more examples in our invitation dress code wording guide.

Costs and attendance expectations

Do not make guests guess what the company is paying for. Use only the lines that match your confirmed arrangements:

• “Dinner and nonalcoholic drinks are provided by Cedar & Finch Studio. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.”
• “Employees attend at no charge. Guest tickets are $35 per person; reserve and pay at cedarandfinch.example/holiday by December 4.”
• “Attendance is optional. Please let us know whether you can join us.” Only use this if the company has confirmed that attendance is voluntary.

RSVPs

Give one clear response method and a date that leaves you time to confirm numbers with the venue. If guests may bring someone, ask for that person’s name. If you are serving a meal, collect dietary needs or meal choices in the RSVP. See how to word an RSVP and respond-by date for more options.

To collect a clear yes or no, adapt this sample and remove anything that does not apply:

Please RSVP by December 4 to celebrations@cedarandfinch.example, whether or not you can attend. If attending, include your invited guest’s name and any dietary requirements for each person.

Arrival, parking, and accessibility

“Starts at 6” can mean doors open or dinner is served. Separate those times when it matters: “Reception from 6:00 p.m.; dinner seated at 7:00 p.m.; evening ends at 10:00 p.m.” On the details card or RSVP page, add confirmed directions such as “Enter through the Lantern Lane doors; free parking is available behind Juniper Hall.” Give guests a private way to ask for help: “For access information or accommodation requests, email celebrations@cedarandfinch.example.” Check venue details before promising particular facilities.

What belongs on the invitation and what can go on the back?

Keep the front easy to scan: host or company, occasion, date, time, venue, who is invited, and how to RSVP. For a standard invitation, additional details can go on the back when the design allows. For the ticket invitation, use a separate details card or RSVP page for longer information, such as parking, transportation, accessibility information, meal choices, and directions. Do not hide a restrictive guest policy in fine print; put it near the invitation wording or RSVP instructions so recipients see it.

Quick questions

Should the invitation say “Christmas” or “holiday”?

Use the name that accurately describes your event and fits the people you are inviting. “Holiday party” works for a general year-end celebration. “Christmas party” is clear when that is specifically what you are hosting.

When should we send the invitations?

Send them as soon as the venue, guest list, and key details are confirmed, especially for December dates when calendars fill quickly. For printed invitations, allow time for personalization, proof approval, printing, delivery, and guests to respond before your venue’s deadline.

If your date is confirmed before the remaining details, a matching save-the-date can help guests reserve the evening while you finalize the invitation.

What if the guest list differs by group?

Create separate invitation wording for employees, clients, and any groups with different guest policies. You can keep the same design while changing the recipient line and RSVP instructions. That is clearer than sending everyone one version and answering exceptions afterward.

Before you approve the invitation proof

• Replace all sample details, including email and web addresses, and check that the weekday matches the date.
• Read the invitation and RSVP form together: do they allow the same guests and collect the information you need?
• Open the RSVP link or scan the QR code on a phone, submit a test response, and check that it reaches the organizer.
• Ask someone outside the planning team to read it. Can they tell who may come, when to arrive, what is included, and how to reply?

Choose an invitation that makes the details easy to read

How it works: Choose your design → send your wording → approve your proof → we print and ship.

Once your wording is ready, choose a layout that gives the important details room to breathe. Our modern green tree printed invitation can be personalized with your company name, event details, dress code, and RSVP wording. We provide a proof for your review before printing. If you prefer a narrower format, there is a matching ticket invitation. You can also browse printed business holiday invitations to find a design that suits your event.

Planning a New Year’s Eve celebration instead?

A red and gold printed New Year’s Eve invitation gives your company celebration a more festive party feel. Adapt the guest and RSVP wording above, and make the finish time clear if the event runs into the next day.

Holiday note cards for a personal thank-you

A short handwritten message can make a client or colleague feel appreciated beyond the event itself. These personalised gold pine holiday note cards coordinate with the botanical dinner invitation shown above and include white envelopes. Mention something specific you appreciated about working together rather than relying on a generic seasonal greeting.

For a coordinated finishing touch, add a personalized holiday greeting card to thank employees or clients. Coordinating items are sold separately.

Browse all Christmas note cards for more seasonal designs.

Practical Christmas gifts for colleagues and clients

If you would like to give a small stationery gift, the personalised gold botanical holiday notepad coordinates with the dinner design. Add the recipient’s name for a useful desk gift, or choose watercolour pine forest note cards for someone who prefers an understated nature-inspired design. These are separate purchases, not an included gift set; allow time for personalisation, proof approval, printing and delivery.

For more ideas, explore Christmas gifts.

Related blog posts

• Corporate Holiday Party Ideas in Emerald Green and Gold
• How to Plan Perfect Holiday Events with Save the Date Cards
• How to Choose the Perfect Corporate Event Invitations
• How to Boost RSVPs with Professional Corporate Event Invitations
• How Do I Word My RSVP and Set a Respond-By Date?
• Best Wording for Dress Codes on Invitations