There can be a lot of benefits to hosting an office Christmas party. Many employees appreciate a good ‘do’ and often see it as an end-of-year perk they deserve for all of their hard work and loyalty throughout the year.
In fact, according to a ComRes survey, just over two thirds of adults in the UK agreed that work parties were a good way for employers to reward their staff, rising to just under three quarters in the Millennial age group. The staff questioned also believed that having a chance to socialise with colleagues improved their performance at work, with 55% believing it had a positive impact.
So if you are thinking about holding an office party this year but have not yet got round to doing so, what are the latest trends to be aware of? There is a general expectation these days that employers from across all industries should be more socially responsible in terms of their expenditure on events.
This situation has, in turn, had a significant impact on the structure and format of the traditional work party. Therefore, the traditional boozy dinners of the past are starting to become less common and are gradually being replaced by alternatives such as away-days offering yoga and the chance of a digital detox. Here are some other approaches that employers are going for:
Celebrating multiple objectives
Christmas parties tend to be thought about more carefully than in the past and are often intended to celebrate multiple objectives. So, although having a get-together to bond socially is still important, they are also being used to deliver important strategic messages at the same time. These messages can range from announcing positive financial results and sharing business goals to acknowledging and rewarding ongoing employee commitment with an awards ceremony.
Acknowledging workplace diversity
While not everyone celebrates Christmas, most people celebrate New Year and certainly enjoy the annual holiday. In other words, greater cultural diversity in the workplace means that employers are starting to move away from just focusing on ‘Christmas’ as a religious event to having parties that celebrate the wider ‘winter holiday’ period and end-of-year successes.
Introducing a wellbeing focus
Mindfulness and wellbeing are becoming increasingly common themes at office parties. Examples range from offering hand and neck massages at a cocktail party to providing ‘chill out’ zones for people wanting a chance to relax and unwind at a dinner dance.
As part of this wellbeing focus, many employers are also supplying a much wider selection of non-alcoholic drinks options, including mocktails, than was the case in the past to cater for the increasing numbers of people who choose not to drink alcohol. Moreover, while traditional Christmas menus are still popular, they are often complemented with healthier, lighter options too, with vegan food being the hottest new trend of the year here.
Going for an alternative setting
In an attempt to be economical but also do things a little differently, many employers are looking for alternative kinds of venues. Boutique hotels can be beautiful but come at a high price, and not everyone can justify the expenditure.
As a result, the most unlikely spaces are now being transformed into winter wonderlands as organisers challenge assumptions and demonstrate what can be achieved with a bit of creativity. This means that Christmas parties are now taking place in everything from company car parks to warehouses and the factory floor.
A softer design influence is also visible too, from the initial event concept and setting to the room set-up and furniture. It is common to see a much more cosy atmosphere, even at cocktail parties, with comfy sofas for relaxing and outdoor space being used where possible.
Indeed, these days it is all about creating a sense of belonging and giving people space for reflection. Yes, it is a party, but the event will also subtly communicate key messages about your culture and values. So take your guests on a ‘journey’ throughout the evening by evoking their emotions in different ways. It will certainly make the experience more memorable.
Hannah Sheppard is the events director at party planning and event management company, Clownfish Events.
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There can be a lot of benefits to hosting an office Christmas party. Many employees appreciate a good ‘do’ and often see it as an end-of-year perk they deserve for all of their hard work and loyalty throughout the year.
In fact, according to a ComRes survey, just over two thirds of adults in the UK agreed that work parties were a good way for employers to reward their staff, rising to just under three quarters in the Millennial age group. The staff questioned also believed that having a chance to socialise with colleagues improved their performance at work, with 55% believing it had a positive impact.
So if you are thinking about holding an office party this year but have not yet got round to doing so, what are the latest trends to be aware of? There is a general expectation these days that employers from across all industries should be more socially responsible in terms of their expenditure on events.
This situation has, in turn, had a significant impact on the structure and format of the traditional work party. Therefore, the traditional boozy dinners of the past are starting to become less common and are gradually being replaced by alternatives such as away-days offering yoga and the chance of a digital detox. Here are some other approaches that employers are going for:
Celebrating multiple objectives
Christmas parties tend to be thought about more carefully than in the past and are often intended to celebrate multiple objectives. So, although having a get-together to bond socially is still important, they are also being used to deliver important strategic messages at the same time. These messages can range from announcing positive financial results and sharing business goals to acknowledging and rewarding ongoing employee commitment with an awards ceremony.
Acknowledging workplace diversity
While not everyone celebrates Christmas, most people celebrate New Year and certainly enjoy the annual holiday. In other words, greater cultural diversity in the workplace means that employers are starting to move away from just focusing on ‘Christmas’ as a religious event to having parties that celebrate the wider ‘winter holiday’ period and end-of-year successes.
Introducing a wellbeing focus
Mindfulness and wellbeing are becoming increasingly common themes at office parties. Examples range from offering hand and neck massages at a cocktail party to providing ‘chill out’ zones for people wanting a chance to relax and unwind at a dinner dance.
As part of this wellbeing focus, many employers are also supplying a much wider selection of non-alcoholic drinks options, including mocktails, than was the case in the past to cater for the increasing numbers of people who choose not to drink alcohol. Moreover, while traditional Christmas menus are still popular, they are often complemented with healthier, lighter options too, with vegan food being the hottest new trend of the year here.
Going for an alternative setting
In an attempt to be economical but also do things a little differently, many employers are looking for alternative kinds of venues. Boutique hotels can be beautiful but come at a high price, and not everyone can justify the expenditure.
As a result, the most unlikely spaces are now being transformed into winter wonderlands as organisers challenge assumptions and demonstrate what can be achieved with a bit of creativity. This means that Christmas parties are now taking place in everything from company car parks to warehouses and the factory floor.
A softer design influence is also visible too, from the initial event concept and setting to the room set-up and furniture. It is common to see a much more cosy atmosphere, even at cocktail parties, with comfy sofas for relaxing and outdoor space being used where possible.
Indeed, these days it is all about creating a sense of belonging and giving people space for reflection. Yes, it is a party, but the event will also subtly communicate key messages about your culture and values. So take your guests on a ‘journey’ throughout the evening by evoking their emotions in different ways. It will certainly make the experience more memorable.
Hannah Sheppard is the events director at party planning and event management company, Clownfish Events.
OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
Ask the Expert on seasonal festivities: Is it too soon to say the 'C' word?
Vicarious Liability: Where do UK employers draw the line?
Ramadan: Will flexible working balance staff and business needs?
