RSVP: How To Create A Great Workplace Holiday Event Now
Not all office holiday events have to be doomed like those on “The Office.”
So you don’t want to organize something that involves ugly holiday sweaters, because that is so 10 years ago. If you are in charge of creating or even contributing to the workplace end of the year event—and 82 percent of workplaces do have a holiday event—why not make sure it is memorable, safe and perhaps even advances your mission?
Being a leader means you demonstrate how you can organize well and can produce a gathering that colleagues, leadership and clients will enjoy. If you are attempting to have the perfect end of year event for your organization, you are not alone.
“If you are attempting to have the perfect end of year event for your organization, you are not alone. #EventPlanning #Leadership”
Read more in Take The Lead on holiday office protocol
According to the 2017 ERC Holiday Practices Survey,“Eighty-two percent of organizations are planning to host a holiday party for their employees and most employers (72%) are budgeting the same amount as last year for their annual party. Among those employers who are allocating more funds to their holiday party budget this year, the average increase is 39%.”
When you throw the event is up to you but the ERC survey shows that “the majority of employers plan on having their holiday party during lunch hours (46%), and 12:00 PM appears to be the most popular time (77%) during this lunch period. Evening parties are the second most common, as indicated by 38% of respondents. Almost half of respondents who plan on hosting an evening holiday party plan on a 6:00 PM start.”
Wisdom on serving alcohol is almost evenly split, with 46 percent limiting alcohol and 54 percent serving unlimited alcohol.
“According to a survey by @ConnectWithERC, wisdom on serving #alcohol is almost evenly split, with 46 percent limiting alcohol and 54 percent serving unlimited alcohol. #WorkParty #Holidays”
Perhaps your planning can start with a committee to brainstorm what would be fun and what employees would like to do during or after work hours. It can be a mission-driven event, gathering coats for a coat drive, or working towards donations or expanding on the company mission. Remember not to alienate any employees by calling it a Christmas party, call it an end of year event or holiday party and make the theme non-religious.
“Perhaps your planning can start with a committee to #brainstorm what would be fun and what employees would like to do during or after work hours. #HolidayParty #WorkAdvice”
Brainstorm planning. “A group with diverse viewpoints is more likely to create an event that connects with a diverse audience. As a planner, I am more mindful about how the content, speakers, branding, and communication impact diverse attendees. As an attendee, I find myself more aware and engaged in what I can learn and how I can relate in some way to each speaker,” writes Sami Ari in Chief Marketer.
Compete. “Get employees excited about the holidays and drive innovation company-wide by organizing holiday competitions rather than a singular company party. For example, you might do a few small holiday events, including a holiday cookie competition, Giving back competition, or Snowflake making competition,” according to Business 2 Community.
Limit the scope, have one big wow. So you don’t have much time. Maybe all you can do is get one big memorable experience, from a game you will all play together or a food item that is absolutely delicious. “According to PlanYourMeetings.com, planners charged with putting together a last-minute event should be realistic with what they can achieve. Pinpoint tasks and always enlist help when you can, so that you can sit back and enjoy,” reports BizJournals.
“Limit the scope, have one big wow. Maybe all you can do is get one big memorable #experience, from a game you will all play together or a food item that is absolutely delicious. #HolidayParty”
Watch the clock. If it is within work hours, be careful that it doesn’t go way past closing time, so that those who have to leave for childcare or other issues will feel left out. If it is after hours, have it end at a reasonable time, say 9 or 10. No going into the wee hours, again this is when things can go awry.
“Watch the clock. If it is within work hours, be careful that it doesn’t go way past closing time, so that those who have to leave for childcare or other issues will feel left out. #Inclusivity #WorkParty”
Keep expenses in check. According to Pexcard, “The current average cost per head is about $75, which means if you have 100 employees it will set you back around $7,500. You can use this party calculator to work out your actual costs as you get quotes from vendors and suppliers.” Of course, a pot luck is way cheaper.
Use the event to network. Susan RoAne, bestselling author of How to Work a Room, tells The Muse, “Whether you’ve been with the company for a decade, you just started, or you’re coming to the end of a short-term consulting gig, attend the party as a great opportunity to network and get to know those colleagues you may have passed in the lobby but never actually met. Introduce everyone with enthusiasm and include them in the conversation with eye contact, comments, and questions. If you find yourself talking with someone about IT and you know nothing about it, but met someone earlier you think they’d hit it off with, walk him or her over and make the introduction.”
Make it about appreciation. The event needs to be about celebration, acknowledgment, and appreciation of colleagues and teams. According to HR Dive, “Pressed to give a piece of advice to HR professionals about how best to approach employee appreciation, both Vivian Chaves, Eventbrite’s community director, and Talin Andonians, Cupertino Electronic Inc.’s chief people officer, stressed that employers need to focus on repeated engagement. ‘Make sure that it's not just about a party,’ Andonians said. ‘There's a lot of things that need to happen throughout the year.’"
“Make it about #appreciation. The event needs to be about #celebration, acknowledgment, and appreciation of colleagues and teams. #WorkParty #Advice”
According to Lexology, the optimal work event this time of year cannot just be costly money wise, but can also be costly legally as lawsuits on harassment and poor behavior have resulted from parties gone wrong.
Their suggestions not just to avoid a lawsuit, but to create a memorable event, include making sure underage staff are not served alcohol; food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided and transport to and from the venue is readily available.
“@Lexology advises to make sure underage staff are not served alcohol, food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided, and transport to and from the venue is readily available. #EventPlanning”
Even if the deejay never plays Mariah Carey or plays it on loop, you can enjoy the event you planned for your workplace, and remember all these tips to use next year.
