Christmas again after a year. That's right, Christmas is coming again. And with it, the theme of company Christmas parties, Christmas gifts for employees and customers. These Christmas activities are most often organised by the HR department. And since even HR managers can sometimes get fed up with the Christmas rush, the easiest way is to look online and get inspired by what company Christmas parties are organised elsewhere and what other companies give each other.
That's why this year we decided to save our company Christmas coordinators some work and have written some tips for original company parties and Christmas activities that will add the right magic to these Christmas gatherings. And what tips are they?
Christmas brunch
It's not unusual to meet colleagues for an evening of wine at a venue close to your office building. Plus, not every employee necessarily indulges in activities where a glass of alcohol plays a role. But Christmas brunch can be a good compromise. Bring colleagues to your favourite café, order something good to eat. There's something for everyone. Especially if you think about your colleagues with food intolerances when choosing your venue.
Company Christmas party full of Christmas activities
If you have a limited budget for the event or simply want to stay for the Christmas party on the company premises, don't be afraid to lighten up the corporate environment with a series of Christmas activities. Organise a competition for the ugliest Christmas sweater (or the prettiest one), hold a movie marathon with Christmas movies, play board games, decorate Christmas cookies together or bet on Christmas karaoke. Again, these are activities that may not suit everyone involved. Therefore, make the party environment suitable for those who do not want to take part in Christmas activities. You can solve this by having a separate room where there is no programme.
Company Christmas party as a team workshop
Organize a team workshop with the preparation of Christmas decorations. For example, Advent wreaths or original tree decorations. You can organise the workshop on your own or arrange a workshop with an external company. In this type of activity, you will bring the team together and still take away your own Christmas product. However, not every colleague may welcome this creative idea. Therefore, plan a workshop that might also bring the less creative part of the team together. Perhaps a beer tapping or cocktail making workshop.
Pub quiz, escape game or laser game
If your team is action-packed, why not plan a company party in the style of an escape game, pub quiz (ideally with a theme where employees guess company-related information) or laser game. Meanwhile, the less action-packed part of the team can wait for you at the cinema or your favourite venue.
What should you think about when organising your company Christmas party?
Although the employer invests a lot of money and the organizers put a lot of effort into preparing the Christmas party, it is necessary to keep in mind that participation in company events by employees is optional. So it may happen that only a part of your colleagues will attend the planned event. According to STEM/MARK research, only 16% of employees are happy to attend a company event. Therefore, company parties should always be voluntary. Any kind of forcing subordinates to attend an event does no good.
It is also important to get the timing of the company Christmas party right. It should ideally take place by 15 December, as after this date employees are often already overwhelmed with preparing their own family Christmas.
In addition, the Christmas party is a great opportunity to present Christmas gifts to employees to show your appreciation for their work throughout the year. Such a gesture can promote loyalty and a positive atmosphere in the company.
Whatever your company Christmas party, make sure it is well organised and ideally also provides entertainment, whatever it may be. Make sure you also provide refreshments. But the main thing is to enjoy it!