The decision over whether to have a holiday party is tricky every year. Will you risk offending those who don’t celebrate the winter holidays? Will it feel inclusive? Will folks enjoy it when it’s such a busy time for people from a business and personal perspective? In addition to all these questions, we still have new strains of Covid-19 that are affecting people’s holiday plans.
So, should you plan to host a holiday party this year? You certainly can, but you must understand that your 2021 end-of-year bash may look different than in years past. Below, we share some pro tips for approaching the holiday party issue and some fun alternatives should a big bash not be in the cards this year.
Ask around:
With Covid-19 still very much a part of our lives, there remain varying levels of comfort with social gatherings. Some employees will really crave being in person and celebrating again, while others will feel deeply uncomfortable with the idea of a group event. The only way to know if your employees want to get together is to simply ask them. Ahead of the holidays, it would be smart to send out an anonymous survey asking workers how they would prefer to celebrate and what safety measures they would want in place to improve their comfort. In soliciting feedback, it shows employees that you value their opinion and want to reward their efforts in a tangible way.
Keep it vague:
When you have a year-end party, it’s very easy to slip into making it a Christmas party. However, if all your party decor is Christmas-themed, you run the risk of alienating those employees who celebrate other holidays. To make your party more inclusive, consider keeping the focus on year-end celebrations. Use the get-together as an opportunity to celebrate the successes your employees have had in the last calendar year. You could hand out awards (whether comedic or real!) and show your gratitude for another year surviving the post-pandemic world. If you’re worried your gathering will be lackluster without a little decor, consider sticking to a more neutral pallet, such as golds and silvers. Or you can add decorations that capture a variety of religious holidays.
Pass the remote:
If an in-person party isn’t in the cards this year, think a little outside the box and plan to do more than a basic Zoom happy hour. Some companies, for example, have participated in online trivia apps to help reduce awkwardness and encourage socialization. Others, meanwhile, have set up immersive experiences, such as an online cooking class or even a wine tasting event where folks are sent a box of wines to sample during the meeting. Whatever you choose, make sure that it follows the typical in-person party rules and is inclusive and interesting to all! Experts also recommend that you trim down the invite list to no more than 20 online participants at a time, as more than that can quickly become unruly. If you have a large company, consider hosting department-specific events or offer up a series of different party themes and let folks sign up for whatever piques their interest.
Keep the party going:
If you don’t think remote will work, but a big in-person bash isn’t in the cards, consider setting up a week of fun for your workers. Each day could have its own theme which includes everything from song choice, food, and activities. One day, for example, could focus on relaxation and include soothing songs and a lunchtime snack, while a theme for young at heart could include kid food favorites and vintage board games in the break room. You could always solicit ideas from your employees to help guide the themes and recruit teams or departments to “sponsor” the days, meaning that they’re in charge of coming up with the concept and executing any playlists, food choices, and other activities for their peers.
Give a gift:
In lieu of a party instead, consider giving a gift. Giving them a token of your appreciation for their hard work all year would likely be well received by employees. The gift in question doesn’t necessarily need to be lavish (although those are welcome too!) but should be something of value to your employees. Prized presents include gift cards to local eateries (which can support your company’s mission to give back to the community!), credit to a third-party website where folks can pick their own gift, or even tickets to a nearby amusement park, theater, or sports complex. Depending on the culture of your company, employees may also appreciate a company-branded jacket, shirt, or something for their office, but be careful here that the gift feels useful and not simply an opportunity for you to promote your brand!
