Making Workplace Holiday Parties Fun Again

The Value of Holiday Traditions in the Workplace

The holiday season is upon us. Holiday traditions in the workplace play a vital role in enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction. These traditions are not just about celebrations; they’re an opportunity to show appreciation, recognize diversity, and build stronger relationships among colleagues. Furthermore, weaving holiday traditions into the workplace fabric extends beyond mere enjoyment; it’s fundamentally important for fostering a positive and inclusive work culture. Given that the year is often packed with hard work and various challenges, these shared moments of joy and camaraderie become profoundly impactful. They offer not only a well-deserved respite but also an invaluable opportunity for deeper, more personal connections among colleagues.

Many times, the holiday festivities are dictated without including employees in the planning. This can lead to events that are dry and do not foster the desired sense of inclusiveness and engagement. It comes across as insincere and another item to checkoff the list. Everyone leaves and the culture returns to baseline. Fortunately, I see this as a prime opportunity for employees to use this time of year to rejuvenate team spirit and showcase their leadership qualities as the New Year approaches.

The Declining Excitement for Holiday Parties

There is some indication of declining excitement in workplace holiday parties. Various factors such as changing workplace demographics, the rise of remote work, financial concerns, or changing attitudes towards traditional corporate celebrations could the major factor. A People Management poll revealed that 53% of employees are not attending their work Christmas parties this year, based on a LinkedIn survey of over 1,500 people. Concerns exist among half of the businesses about employees’ affordability to attend these parties. Moreover, 47% of employers aren’t hosting parties, and 20% worry about alcohol consumption around non-drinkers. Whether your team is working in-person or remotely, there are numerous ways to celebrate that can boost morale, foster team bonding, and create an engaging atmosphere. Here are some ways that team members are celebrating this year to keep the festivities alive.

Workplace Holiday Festivities

At work parties, social interactions are typically more formal and guarded due to professional relationships and workplace hierarchies. Additionally, work parties often have a mix of mandatory and voluntary elements, which can affect how employees perceive and enjoy the event. To revitalize joy at work during the Christmas season, consider activities that are engaging and foster a sense of purpose and togetherness. If the company holiday party turns out not to be a good forum, considering hosting you own and include team members. Here are a few ways to get you started in revitalizing joy for you team or department:

1. Introduce New Activities: Intentionally break from routine by adding new, creative events or activities that engage employees in different ways.
2. Inclusive Planning: Systematically involve employees in the planning process in order to ensure the celebrations cater to diverse preferences and backgrounds.
3. Focus on Connection: Intentionally use this time to foster deeper connections among team members, such as through storytelling or sharing personal holiday traditions.
4. Feedback and Adaptation: Gather feedback from previous events to tailor future celebrations in a way that resonates more with the current team dynamics.

These approaches can help in making holiday workplace traditions more vibrant for everyone involved. Here are ways employees are demonstrating their leadership skills by organizing events for their team or department!

Ideas for In-Person Workplace Holiday Traditions

1. Office Decoration Contests: Encourage teams to decorate their office spaces. For example, a marketing team could transform their area into a winter wonderland, while the IT department might opt for a tech-themed holiday display. The best department decoration can win a prize, like an extra day off or a team lunch.
2. Secret Santa/Gift Exchanges: Organize a Secret Santa event where each employee secretly buys a gift for a randomly assigned colleague. This can be a fun way to encourage thoughtfulness and surprise among team members.
3. Holiday Potluck or Catered Lunch: Arrange a day where everyone brings in a dish related to their cultural or family holiday traditions. This can be a delicious way to learn about and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of your colleagues.
4. Volunteer as a Team: Plan a day for volunteering at a local charity or community event. For instance, you could spend a day helping out at a food bank or organizing a toy drive for children in need.

Remote Workplace Holiday Tradition Ideas

1. Virtual Holiday Party: Host an online party with festive virtual backgrounds. Include activities like virtual escape rooms or holiday-themed trivia.
2. Online Secret Santa: Utilize a digital platform where team members can anonymously send gifts to one another, with a virtual unwrapping session during a team call.
3. Holiday Recipe Share: Create a digital cookbook of employees’ favorite holiday recipes. This can be a great way to share and try out new dishes from the comfort of your own home. These make great conversation starters when employee do meet!
4. Virtual Talent Show or Holiday Showcase: Organize an online event where team members can share their holiday traditions, perform a song, or showcase a unique talent. This can be a wonderful way to see the hidden talents of your colleagues.

Explore further ways to navigate those holiday parties season by checking out our latest post: “Navigating the Holiday Party Season“

Maintaining and Adopting Traditions

Embracing holiday traditions in the workplace is a fantastic way to end the year on a high note. Whether you’re celebrating in-person or virtually, these ideas can help create lasting memories and a stronger, more connected team. Adopting and maintaining these traditions is key to keeping the holiday spirit alive, year after year. Be open to modifying traditions as your team’s dynamics evolve, and always look for ways to be inclusive and considerate of all team members’ backgrounds and beliefs.