Holidays at work can be a delicate subject. Diverse workforces mean that there are different ways to celebrate a variety of holidays. However, it’s possible to ensure that the season is festive and fun for everyone. Holiday work parties go one of two ways — something people (leaders and employees alike) have to do or want to do.
We’re in the peak season for companies throwing a holiday work party for their employees. Most parties happen before the New Year, but for many in the service industry, the season continues through the end of January.
How can your company pull off a warm and inviting experience for everyone? Here are some considerations for making your holiday work party an appreciated event that employees of all ages want to attend.
Holiday Work Party Basics: Engage, Don’t Just Entertain
Parties should be entertaining, but they’re not a show. Increasingly, what employees crave from employers at their holiday work party is engagement.
Traditional workplace parties were often characterized by stiff formalities, catered meals, and alcohol-fueled interactions. While these events could serve as opportunities for networking and team bonding, they often failed to resonate with millennials’ desire for authentic connections and meaningful experiences. It is estimated that there are 56 million millennials in the US workforce as of January 2023. This represents 35% of the total US labor force. Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce, followed by Generation X (35.5%) and Baby Boomers (19%).
Millennials are redefining workplace parties by prioritizing experiences over extravagance. They are seeking out events that foster genuine connections and align with their values. Here are some key trends driving this shift:
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Emphasis on Experiences: Millennials crave experiences that are memorable, engaging, and offer a sense of personal growth. They are less interested in traditional party setups and prefer interactive activities, workshops, or outings that provide opportunities for learning, connection, and fun.
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Wellness and Mindfulness: Millennials are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being. They seek out workplace parties that incorporate wellness elements, such as yoga sessions, healthy food options, or stress-reducing activities. (Although a post-event meetup at a brewery or wine bar offers nice balance.)
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Values-Aligned Events: Millennials are more likely to attend and appreciate workplace parties that align with their personal values and social causes. Companies are encouraged to embrace sustainable practices, support charitable initiatives, or host events that promote diversity and inclusion.
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Technology Integration: Millennials are tech-savvy and appreciate the use of technology to enhance party experiences. Try incorporating interactive apps, social media engagement, and digital photo booths.
Examples of Creative Workplace Parties
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Escape Rooms: These immersive puzzles focus on teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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Volunteer Events: Consider a team-building activity around a community service project, allowing employees to give back while bonding over shared purpose.
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Wellness Retreats: These getaways combine relaxation, mindfulness practices, and healthy activities.
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Interactive Workshops: What would be fun and also educational? Topics like improv, cooking, or creative writing, provide opportunities for personal and professional development in a unique setting.
By embracing these trends and catering to the evolving preferences of younger generations, everyone wins! It’s possible to host workplace parties that are not only enjoyable but also align with values and enhance employee engagement, productivity, and overall well-being.
Considerations for Your Holiday Gathering
In a Workplace Intelligence Insider article, How to Make the Holidays More Inclusive for Your Employees, it states, “there’s a real need for companies to be more inclusive in their holiday celebrations and policies. And this inclusivity should extend beyond just the religious aspect of the season, although that’s certainly a key consideration. In fact, your team members could be feeling left out during this time of the year for a number of reasons. Here are a few questions to think about:
- Does your company celebrate holidays beyond just Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa?
- For holidays events, parties, and gift-giving, does your company respect people’s preferences around alcohol consumption and their dietary requirements?
- Are your holiday events equally inclusive of in-office employees and remote team members?
- Do you offer ways to celebrate for those who don’t wish to attend an office party?”
In 2023, it’s not just considerate to realize that people come from different backgrounds — it’s critical! Keep these questions in mind as you plan something special and inclusive.
Be Authentic
A holiday work party with catered plates and pricy gifts will likely impress employees for a couple of hours. But only sincere gratitude and genuine excitement from management will make it the kind of party employees still talk about in June.
Workplace holiday parties are meant to achieve certain objectives: strengthen social bonds between employees, promote a feeling of company unity, and celebrate and appreciate everyone’s hard work in the past year.
But a common danger is becoming so fixated on these objectives that the party itself is a dud — forced, awkward and no fun. And if management is skipping your company holiday work party altogether — or worse, making an appearance out of obligation — it’s time to reevaluate whether the party you’re throwing matches the company culture you’re building.
Share Gifts (with a twist)
If your company is sharing gifts at your holiday work party, do it with a little pomp and circumstance! A gift shared without appreciation is much the same as an unengaging party — it really can do more harm than good.
We’re fans of providing each guest a gift basket, that can include a personalized thank you note, a gift certificate, a bag of coffee, locally sourced treats, and something that reflects the ethos of the organization.
Some gift exchanges are even accompanied by coworkers reading each other’s favorite holiday memories facilitated by the company owners. Other groups love a White Elephant gift exchange or Secret Santa. The keys to success? A little whimsy, fun, engagement, and inclusivity!
We want to hear what you’ve successfully planned or what you’re doing this year!
Shoot us an email with some pictures to info@gthankyou.com!
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Skiing Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Group Photo by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash
Gift Photo by by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash
