“It’s Christmas, we should celebrate they say, just a little get-together for the employees. Have a few drinks, blow off a little steam, nothing crazy” – The Office, Christmas Party (2016)
Everyone loves a good party, especially during the holiday season. At the end of a hard year of work, the best gift you can give to your employees is a chance to relax and spend time with their coworkers, and maybe win a few prizes! Here are our tips for planning the best office Christmas party this year.
Set The Scene
Decorating your space is the first step towards hosting a memorable party. The goal of all events is to create a comprehensive experience for your guests. This includes creating an environment that excites your attendees and enhances the event itself. Splurge on some lights, garland, maybe even a Christmas tree. It’s worth it to get your employees in the holiday spirit. (Bonus points if you can puton a holiday-themed playlist.)
Plan Activities
We’d be lying if we said that parties are always fun. The best way to avoid a monotonous party is to give your guests something to do. Incorporating games is the easiest way to entertain your attendees. At Paperkite, we keep it fun (and competitive!) with card games like Spoons, as well as sharing our love of baking with a cookie exchange. It’s important to have a few options that will cater to all your employee’s personalities, so be sure to include more low-key activities like a cookie decorating contest or a holiday scavenger hunt.
You might also consider including some form of entertainment. Live music is always a good option, or take things in a different direction with a hypnotist, a bartender giving a holiday cocktail demo, or a comedian to bring the laughs.
Whatever activities you decide to include, hosting a raffle or giveaway is essential. After all, the point of an office party is to give back to your employees for all of their hard work and dedication. Paperkite holiday raffles often include delicious items from our clients, like Fly Creek Cider Mill. Your team will appreciate the effort of showing them your appreciation!
Collect Charity Donations
The holidays are a time of giving, and studies have shown that people feel good when they give back. Boost employee spirits by providing an easy avenue to do something meaningful. Encourage employees to arrive at the party with a donation (non-perishable food, clothing, toiletries, etc.) that you can later bring to a charitable organization on their behalf. Not only does it make your employees feel good, but more importantly, you’re supporting those who need it most this time of year.
Commemorate the Day
Capture memories and give your employees something to look back on with a fun photo booth! A photo booth complete with fun props and dress-up items gives your employees something to do and serves as a party favor. We often don’t take pictures with our coworkers, so a photo booth is a great way to commemorate friendships and savor the excitement of the day. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. With some intentional decor and a smartphone or iPad, you can set up a functioning “photo booth” and upload the photos to a shareable Google folder.
Ask Your Employees
If you’re totally stuck for ideas, ask your employees for suggestions. Above all else, you want to make sure your guests have fun, so if you don’t know what kind of activities they’d like- ask them! It’s also worth noting that some employees might not be comfortable attending an in-person event. You want your team to be comfortable, so if you do opt for in-person, be sure to incorporate COVID-safety measures, and if most prefer to not gather, host a virtual event! Games and performances can all be conducted via Zoom, so bring the party online!
Whatever you decide to do, make it meaningful. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!
-The Paperkite Team
