How to Plan a Company Holiday Party for a Hybrid Workforce: Tips from an Expert Planner
Photography credit: John Robson Photography
Are you looking for company holiday party ideas? Planning a fun, engaging party your employees are excited about is hard enough. Add in a hybrid workforce (remote and in-person employees), and it gets that much more challenging. But there’s no need to fret. Keep reading to learn how to plan a company holiday party for remote and in-person employees!
How Do You Make a Corporate Holiday Party Fun?
When it comes to how to plan a company holiday party that’s actually fun, it’s all about fostering connection and creating an atmosphere that lets everyone unwind and enjoy themselves. Here are some company holiday party ideas to consider, which you can use and adjust depending on how many employees you have!
An Engaging Theme: A well-chosen theme can really set the tone for your party. It could be as simple as "Winter Wonderland" or something more creative like "Retro Holiday."
Interactive Activities: Plan activities that encourage interaction and camaraderie. This could include things like team-building exercises, trivia games, or even a friendly competition such as a gingerbread house decorating contest.
Recognition and Awards: Celebrate your team's hard work over the past year by giving out awards for various achievements. They can be serious (like “Best Project”) or silly (like “Most Likely to Have a Snack Drawer” or “Most Likely to Keep Their Zoom Video Turned Off”). This not only acknowledges their efforts but also adds an element of excitement to the event.
Entertainment: Consider hiring some live entertainment, such as a band, a comedian, or a magician. Steer clear of any “educational entertainment” and keep the party just that… a party. This adds a special touch to your event and gives people something to talk about.
Food and Drinks: Good food and drink are key to any successful party. Consider catering from a favorite local restaurant, or if budget allows, hiring a professional chef for a live cooking experience.
Gift Exchange: If you have a smaller team, you can organize a gift exchange to add a bit of holiday cheer. You could do a traditional Secret Santa or shake things up with a White Elephant exchange.
Comfortable Spaces: The atmosphere and ambiance can make or break your holiday party. Make sure your venue has comfortable, inviting spaces where people can relax, chat, and enjoy the party. Going off-site and getting people out of the office is an excellent way to make it truly feel like a fun get-together rather than a stuffy company event.
How Do You Celebrate Holidays at Work Virtually?
Now, you may love those ideas above, but what about when you have employees that work virtually? Don’t worry–there are still ways to celebrate the holidays with these remote office holiday party ideas!
Virtual Holiday-Themed Happy Hour: Encourage everyone to make their favorite holiday drink and gather online for a casual chat. This can create a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Online Scavenger Hunt: Consider organizing a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. Participants can look for items within their home and share them on video. It's interactive and fun!
Virtual Cookie Decorating Session: Everyone can bake their own cookies and decorate them together on a video call. This can be followed by a cookie show-and-tell.
You can incorporate these remote team holiday activities even if you have a hybrid workforce. Everything that your virtual employees are doing over a video app (like Zoom), your in-person employees can do in person! Remember, the goal is to create an environment where your team can have fun, connect with each other, and celebrate the holiday spirit, even if some of them do it from their own homes in another city, state, or country!
3 Considerations When Planning In-Person and Remote Team Holiday Activities for a Hybrid Workforce
While there are plenty of company holiday party ideas that work for a hybrid workforce, it will take extra planning and consideration to bring it all together.
1. Consider Time Zones
When planning a company holiday party that includes both remote and in-person employees, considering time zones is critical to ensure everyone can participate and feel included. With team members scattered across different regions, countries, or even continents, there's a risk of scheduling events at times that might be convenient for some but extremely inconvenient or impractical for others. This could lead to some employees feeling excluded, overlooked, or undervalued, which is the exact opposite of the intended goal of fostering unity and appreciation.
By being mindful of time zones, you can schedule the event at a time that works reasonably well for all participants, demonstrating that you value and respect their personal time and commitments. It also shows your team you are considerate and inclusive, reinforcing a positive company culture. Lastly, it ensures maximum participation, making the event more enjoyable for everyone involved.
2. Consider What Needs to be Planned Ahead of Time
Planning ahead is a crucial aspect of organizing a successful company holiday party, especially when it involves both remote and in-person employees. For instance, if an activity requires employees to have certain materials on hand, like printed documents, craft supplies, or specific food items for a cook-along, they need to be informed well in advance. This gives them ample time to prepare and ensures they can fully participate in the activity.
Similarly, if you're planning on sending out physical gifts, care packages, or party supplies, you'll need to account for shipping times which can vary greatly, especially during the holiday season. Early planning allows you to avoid last-minute rushing and potential delivery delays.
Technological considerations are another area where advanced planning is required. If you're using a specific software or platform for the virtual component of the party, all participants should be informed ahead of time so they can familiarize themselves with the tool, troubleshoot any issues, and ensure a smooth experience on the day of the event.
Photography credit: John Robson Photography
3. Consider Hiring a Professional Event Planner to Help Bring It All Together
Hiring a professional event planner can be a game-changer when organizing a company holiday party, especially one involving both remote and in-person employees. An experienced event planner brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can streamline the process and ensure the party is a success.
At Mountainside Events, we help Colorado-based companies put on the bash of the year for their employees. Our team knows how to handle the complexities of planning a hybrid event and can help you coordinate time zones, select the right technology platform, and ensure both remote and in-person participants have a fulfilling experience.
Most importantly, we take on a significant portion of the workload, freeing up your internal team to focus on their regular responsibilities, which is particularly important during the holiday season–an often busy period for businesses.
Our party planning services have the full package, including:
Helping you choose a venue (or decorate your office accordingly)
Negotiating with vendors
Sourcing unique entertainment
Choosing the best food and drink options (we love Juli Y Juan’s Kitchen)
Developing in-person and remote office holiday party ideas
Staffing your event so none of your employees have to step away from the festivities (NOCO Staffing is our go-to)
Setting up your event and tearing it down at the end of the evening
We’ve had the privilege of working with well-known companies in and around Colorado, and know how to throw a company holiday party your employees won’t soon forget.
Your Search for “How to Plan a Company Holiday Party” Stops Here
Here at Mountainside Events, we turn your visions into unforgettable experiences for your remote and in-person employees. We do it all, from helping you choose the best venue, caterer, and decorations to finding in-person and remote office holiday party ideas your employees will love. Learn more about our corporate event planning services in Colorado, and reach out to us today to start planning the best holiday party ever.