How to Plan a Work Christmas Party for Employees

1st December 2021

The end-of-year party marks an important (and fun) event for everyone at work. Employees get the opportunity to mingle with their colleagues, enjoy a delicious meal and celebrate accomplishments, setting the tone for a positive and successful year ahead.

With the Grinch, AKA coronavirus, stealing Christmas last year, teams are looking forward to letting loose again this December. However, planning festivities that cater to everyone’s beliefs takes time and consideration.

Continue reading to learn how you can organise a fun-filled, inclusive Christmas party for everyone in the office.

Respect Everyone’s Beliefs

Before you start organising the event, it’s important that you’re mindful of everyone’s beliefs — including those who don’t celebrate Christmas. The UK is a melting pot of different cultures, and these need to be respected no matter what the occasion is.

For instance, to stay inclusive, you could change the name of the event to ‘End-of-Year Party’ or ‘Festive Celebrations’ to make sure everyone feels comfortable attending. In addition, consider forming a planning committee made up of people who represent the diversity of your team. A culturally diverse committee will be better equipped to organise an inclusive event than a single person from a Christian background.

You can also invite employees to share their own traditions and incorporate these into the party — different foods, music, etc. Being considerate in this way can result in stronger bonds between colleagues and a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Set a Budget

Set a realistic budget and stick to it to avoid costly bills spoiling the fun this Christmas. The main expenses (depending on the type of party you throw) include:

• Venue
• Food and drink
• Decorations
• Entertainment (music, games, etc.)

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good time. For example, if you don’t want to hire a band or DJ, create a playlist, invite your employees to add songs to it and play it over speakers at the event. You can also hold the event at your office — but make sure to add a bit of festive cheer with plenty of decorations, food and drink.

Make Time for Fun in Your Calendar

The end of year rush is real for many companies, so it’s a good idea to get a date in the calendar as soon as possible.

Decide whether the party will be held on a weekday or during the weekend, as this may be a deal-breaker for some employees. The thought of giving up their free time to attend the party may not appeal to them and a day out of the office may seem like more of a treat.

If you’re not sure what to do, why not ask? Use a platform like Trickle to understand everyone’s views and then make an informed decision that suits the majority.

Remote Workers Can Party Too

If you have a team of remote workers who are unable to join the celebrations in person, you can hold a virtual party for them, sending them food and drink in the post. Remote workers still want to feel involved in the company. By adapting to their needs, you can boost employee happiness and strengthen the feeling of belonging.

For example, you can send the team a gingerbread house kit and ask everyone to build the delicious treat at the virtual event. Alternatively, to keep things simple, you can host an online holiday quiz or join a virtual escape room.

To Gift or Not to Gift

Exchanging gifts between employees can lead to awkwardness if clear expectations aren’t set upfront. If you decide to give presents, make sure that a reasonable budget is set for everyone — an intern may not be willing to spend the same amount as a senior member of staff.

Alternatively, ditch the gifts all together. After a tough couple of years, many people won’t be able to splash out on gifts for colleagues. Instead, give your team a bonus to drive up motivation and get your team in the holiday spirit.

Create a Menu that Suits Everyone

The last thing you want is a trip to A&E due to a stray peanut or turkey stuffing that’s filled with gluten. Before the event, ask your team if they have any dietary requirements or allergies to adjust the menu to their needs.

In every depiction of a British Christmas work party, there’s alcohol (usually too much of it). But, remember, not everyone drinks alcohol. Include non-alcoholic options to ensure everyone can celebrate, and make them fun. For example, you could offer seasonal drinks such as non-alcoholic mulled wine or candy cane mocktails.

Set a Theme

Setting a theme for your party can bring some extra fun to the event. Here are some examples of fun and inclusive themes for your celebrations:

Ugly jumper party. An ugly jumper party can be celebrated virtually and in-person, and it has no religious affiliation making it a fun, neutral way for everyone to celebrate the season. During the party, you can hold a vote for the best/worst jumper and give prizes for different categories, such as best DIY jumper, funniest jumper, etc.

Winter wonderland. Bring the beauty of winter to the office Christmas party through blue and silver tinsel, fairy lights, DIY snowflakes and white drapes. You can serve icy cocktails and mocktails, and dance the night away in your winter-inspired suits and gowns.

Murder mystery. Interactive activities like a murder mystery are a great way of keeping the team entertained throughout the night. Colleagues can have fun playing sleuths to figure out who the culprit is, helping forge stronger relationships in the team.

Start Planning Now with Trickle

It’s already November, and the festive season will be upon us in no time at all. If you haven’t already, start organising your office Christmas party now for a festive celebration your employees deserve.

Using Trickle, you can give your employees a chance to share their ideas for the end-of-year party. You can use our app to suggest themes, vote on whether or not to give gifts, and choose a suitable date to ensure your employees have a great night.

Click the link below to get your free demo today.