Barrango: The Perfect Holiday Venue

I thought I knew most of the more unusual venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I was wrong. Recently I had a tour of Barrango in South San Francisco, and I was stunned. Barrango is a bit of Toyland and Candyland mixed with huge holiday displays plus more--and it's all behind a secret door. As I wandered through the incredible lifesize and supralifesize displays, I felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole.

Barrango is the perfect venue for a holiday party--or any time. It's always a Winter Wonderland there, with a nod to the tropics in a few places. Barrango, known for their quality manufacturing and designs of seasonal decor since 1906, as well as fully working carousels, has created several very unique event spaces for holiday parties, weddings and other events in their showplace. Barrango can hold small intimate board meetings, seated events of 5 to 150, or large cocktail receptions of more. There are also several imported antique bars in the space that are just fabulous. Read the history of Barrango here.

I can't wait for Murder on the Menu and TeamBuilding Unlimited to work at Barrango. What a terrific place to do Trikes for Tots or Bears that Care! Bring your holiday party to Barrango!

Trikes for Tots VaST Systems

Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited has worked with VaST Systems, one of our favorite clients, at their January Leadership meeting for the past three years. One year we did a Murder on the Menu mystery event, the next year, our team presented Hollywood: Casting Call. Both were very interactive and an overwhelming success. This year, given the current economic situation, VaST decided to work with Murder on the Menu/Team Building Unlimited on a Trikes for Tots event, an event that gives back to the community.
Held at the new Intercontinental Hotel, the Clement, in Monterey, the evening opened with a talk by a representative from The Kinship Center, an organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and support of foster, adoptive and relative families for children who need them. VaST participants began the teambuilding portion of the event with a series of competitive Wacky children's games led by Frank Price, VP of TeamBuilding Unlimited. Did I say competitive? Not all groups opt for competition, but this great international executive team got into the spirit quickly and completely. Not only did they approach each Wacky Game with high spirits, they challenged scores and judging. After a buffet dinner, the group moved on to the Charity Challenge: Trikes for Tots, assembling tricycles for the children The Kinship Center serves in Northern California. 11 Trikes were built and donated.

The evening ended with a new sense of camaraderie. Here's what Leslie Foster wrote:
"You did a great job, as always, and everyone had a good time. Nancy from the Kinship Organization presented very nicely how meaningful our trikes will be to the children. Wishing you the same hopes for a positive 2009 , and we look forward to getting creative with you and Janet and planning another event."

Murder on the Menu/Team Building Unlimited will need to come up with something to top this event! I think we'll be able to do it. We love working with repeat clients!

More Holiday Party Ideas

With the economy being what it is many companies are paring back their holiday parties. Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited has lots of ideas that won't strain the budget.

A full scale Murder on the Menu production is awesome, but if you don' t have the budget, consider hiring our Arresting Detective. He breaks up your party and arrests 10-12 of your 'top' people for something great. Wanted posters, small gifts based on interests and foibles of the 'perps'. This is a good natured mini-roast. 30-45 minutes.

Want a new research lab but not sure where you'll find the funds? How about a Gingerbread Research Lab contest. We'll provide all the gingerbread, graham crackers, icing, decorations, prizes and more. Roll up your sleeves and get in the spirit. Donate the Gingerbread Labs or Houses to hospitals or children's centers after the event.

Want to give back to the community instead of the usual holiday party?
How about our Charity Challenge?

• Trikes for Tots is a great way to get into the holiday spirit as seen by children. After a series of competitive children's games, each team will build a tricycle and design a t-shirt that reflects your company and team. Trikes and t-shirts are then donated to local charities for kids in need.

• Bears That Care is another Charity Challenge designed by Murder on the Menu/Teambuilding Unlimited. After a series of children's trivia and games, each participant will assemble a bear or another fuzzy animal and design a t-shirt for the animal. Stuffed animals will be donated to a local charity, police or fire organization.

Want to have the ultimate reward for your team? Consider a Chocolate Tasting. This luscious chocolate seminar guides you through the history and culture of chocolate and tastings of chocolate from 40% to 85% cacao. Like a wine tasting, only better... it's all about chocolate!

I'll be posting other options for you to do on your own. Stay tuned.