The Perfect Casual-But-Cool Holiday: Julia’s Guide to Planning a Festive Team Outing
Holiday planning can be a juggling act, especially in a city as dynamic as Downtown LA. Between balancing team preferences, tight budgets, and the vast options available, creating a celebration that feels both personal and fun is no easy task. But for Julia, a landscape architect and office manager at Design Workshop, based in The Collection on 7th Street, the secret lies in keeping things relaxed and authentic. I sat down with her to uncover how she crafts memorable holiday gatherings that are all about good vibes and great company, with a touch of DTLA flair.
For Julia, it’s all about striking the perfect balance. Her small but close-knit team typically indulge during events throughout the year, but their annual holiday gathering always takes a more laid-back approach. Julia’s fresh take includes fun, activity-focused events that are organized yet relaxed. “I love our team, so I really want our parties to reflect the vibe of our group—engaged but easygoing,” she shares with a laugh.
Activities That Break the Ice
First on the agenda? A team outing to Swing Factory Golf, a sleek, modern indoor golf venue that’s the perfect icebreaker and a fun way for everyone to unwind together. “It’s great because our activities are never too serious, so no one feels any pressure,” says Julia. “And let’s be real, watching a few people try to swing is going to be amazing.” With its high-tech simulators and informal atmosphere, Swing Factory keeps the mood light while adding an interactive element her team loves.
Laid-Back Dining Options
After some friendly competition, Julia’s group plans to head out for a bite to eat. While her team are special-occasion regulars at Little Sister on the first floor of their building, holiday gatherings are a more casual affair, especially when end-of-year budgets get tighter. Julia is exploring options like Good Clean Fun, known for its shareable pasta and pizza paired with amazing bottles of wine, or Grand Central Market, where everyone can grab their favorite bites while enjoying a few beers from Golden Road. My insider tip for teams like Julia’s is that Grand Central Market now offers “GCM bucks” to private groups which acts as gift cards to any merchant and can be purchased in advance (contact their team at info@grandcentralmarket.com to see if your group qualifies).
Always thinking outside the box, Julia once hosted a summer party catered by Shake Shack back at the office, allowing the team’s pets to join the fun. One of her favorite gatherings, however, was last year’s Open House for the national team at Design Workshop, coincidentally held on Halloween. The event featured catering from Las Perlas and a private bartender offering a mezcal tasting, creating a festive and memorable atmosphere. “We always want solid food, great lighting, music, and that relaxed energy where we can just hang out and enjoy each other’s company,” Julia shares.
Gifts With Local Flair
The LA branch of the Design Workshop team has a long-standing holiday tradition of a White Elephant gift exchange, with a budget cap of $20–$30 to keep things light and fun. To encourage shopping locally, Julia suggests unique boutiques around DTLA, like The Library Store, known for its quirky, literary-themed finds, and PAPER8 DTLA inside The Freehand Hotel, which carries eclectic pieces perfect for memorable gifts. “I always find something a little unusual but super cool in smaller places,” she says.
This year, Julia plans to check out one of DTLA’s seasonal markets, and this year there are so many to choose from (check out this holiday page for more). FourFourtyFour South Flower is hosting a Holiday Pop-up market full of independent shops on Thursday, December 12, from 11:30am – 2pm in their plaza. Inside the Delphi Hotel you’ll find the festive Miracle on Denae’s, part pop-up cocktail bar, part holiday shopping village, this Christmas-themed destination is open now and bursting with kitschy décor and nostalgic vibes. These are just to name a few. Julia notes, “It’s a great way to support independent businesses and also find something that people will actually want to steal during the exchange!”
A Nightcap to End the Night
For those still standing after the festivities, a few will often end the evening with a nightcap at a nearby spot. Golden Gopher is a perennial favorite for its strong drinks and divey atmosphere. Lately though, the group has branched out to join a Salsa Night at La Cita Bar or stumbled upon live music at Redwood Bar & Grill. “The best part is staying open to going with the flow,” Julia says. “Sometimes you just have to scour the internet, hop in a cab, and see where the night takes you.”
Words of Wisdom for Planners
For Julia, holiday gatherings are less about grand gestures and more about shared moments. “If I could give any advice to other planners, don’t feel pressured to go big or spend too much money to make an impact,” she advises. “Sometimes, the best parties are the ones where everyone can just chill out, be themselves, talk, and connect.”
Julia’s plan proves that holiday celebrations don’t need to be lavish to be memorable. With an eye for cool venues, local shopping, and a knack for balancing trend with simplicity, she’s curating a holiday party that’s as fun and unique as her team—in the heart of DTLA.