The end of the year is the perfect time to recognize company achievements, benchmark goals and star performers. Trophies honoring high accomplishments are a popular and prestigious way of celebrating milestones.

Recognition goes wrong all the time. Between Steve Harvey crowning the wrong Miss Universe and John Travolta butchering Idina Menzel’s name pronunciation, formal recognition has at times earned a laughable reputation. While the ceremony slip-ups your organization has may be less public than that of our friends Steve and John, your employees will take note of and remember a few faux pas.

Planning for your company’s holiday party can be a bit daunting, even when you’ve done it a bunch of times. That’s why we’ve put together this handy dandy checklist to keep your party planning on track!