It’s that time of the year again—the holiday season is quickly approaching and your employees are probably expecting the usual Christmas Party. Well, this is your chance to surprise them and organize something truly memorable to bring holiday cheer and wrap up the year.
Not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place. The ideas below will help you get a jump start on your holiday event planning. Whether you’re looking to give to charity or just have fun, these suggestions have got you covered. So if you want your holiday activities to impress, keep reading!
Drop Secret Santa and donate
Nothing spreads holiday cheer like giving to those in need. Plus, employees appreciate a company that gives back. So maybe, this year, instead of having employees buy $10-20 gifts for colleagues that they might not even know that well, have them vote and choose a charity (or more) to give that money to. A cheap gift will be quickly overlooked by most employees, but compounded, the money spent on Secret Santa could make a difference for the less fortunate or research a noble cause.
Instead of donating the money, you can also ask employees to prepare care packages for local homeless or women’s shelters or orphanages. After that, maybe your team can deliver them personally and spend some time with the recipients.
Give your holiday party a twist
Planning a dress-up party or selecting a theme can go a long way towards building team spirit—especially if employees are involved in the planning. They can show off books, movies, shows or games that they’re interested in by dressing up accordingly—and nothing starts a conversation like a common passion.
A potluck is also always a great idea. It makes your employees feel like they contribute and allows them to show off and exchange recipes.
If you want to do something very special, you can host a talent show or an exhibition of your employees’ art. Even better, you can even hold an auction with your employees’ art and donate the proceedings to charity. You don’t have to be an actual artist to get behind a good cause.
Volunteer together
During the holidays, there are many opportunities to make someone’s day brighter or just make a positive impact on the world. Your workforce can volunteer at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, or spend some time playing with children that are in foster care. You can even organize a clean-up for a local park or plant some trees if the weather allows it. Like most team-building activities, this will give your employees a chance to work towards something together, with the added bonus of doing it for a great cause.
Make office hours more flexible
At the end of the day, holidays are best spent with family. Giving your employees the opportunity to work remotely more and shortening their workdays before the actual holidays will make them feel more appreciated. It’s also best to discourage any overtime during this period since being the last one to leave the office during this period can be depressing.
Make this year’s gift to your employees special
Your company, like many others, probably offers employees a holiday treat, whether it’s a bonus or a gift basket. This year, aside from the usual extras, try adding a more personal touch, one that reminds your employees of the good times spent with their team. Whether it’s a collage of photos from the year’s team-building activities and events or a short personalized letter, it will surely make them feel included and valued.
Celebrate this year’s achievements
Performance bonuses are nice and all, but they’re not fun. Every year, certain employees stand out based on their merits, whether they made the most sales, paid extra attention to customers, or contributed to team initiatives. Handing out awards with titles such as “Most Assertive,” “Most Team-Oriented,” “Most Customer Oriented” and so on is a great way to boost morale and motivate your employees to start the new year with a bang. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can also add awards for lesser-known achievements, like “Most Punctual,” “Most Organized Desk,” or “Most Team Lunches Ordered.” After all, they are the unsung heroes of any office.
All in all, the best thing you can do is get creative and not be afraid to take risks. In a corporate world where cookie-cutter activities are everywhere, an original concept is always welcome, even if it doesn’t come out perfect in practice on the first try. Plus, your employees will be proud to be part of a company that is not afraid to think outside the box—and they will definitely spread the news on social media.
