2020 has been a difficult year for every business, whether you have been closed due to lockdown or remained open. Every business has been required to adapt and implement social distancing measures to keep staff and customers safe. Christmas is going to be very different for businesses this year, traditional Christmas parties are no longer permitted in most areas, so businesses need to think differently. We’ve got some great ideas about how to engage employees and thank them for their hard work this year without breaking the rules.
Professional Virtual Christmas Parties
Business communications have been more virtual than ever this year with “can you all hear me” being one of the most overused phrases of 2020 and Zoom meetings becoming a household name. We’ve all got used to seeing friends and colleagues virtually and communicating in different ways. Christmas parties have also gone virtual, companies such as The Office Christmas Party offer a whole range of virtual Christmas parties which include professional hosts and organised activities. Some of these virtual event packages even come with a delivery of food, drinks and treats for your staff to enjoy from the comfort of their homes. Event package options include cocktail making lessons, virtual murder mysteries, virtual escape rooms, Christmas in a box and much more.
Virtual Secret Santa
Giving and receiving gifts is a great way to get employees engaged and having fun. Using an online service such as Draw Names you can input all of your employees into the system and everyone will be emailed their secret Santa anonymously. Employees can create wish lists of items they would like to receive to avoid any disappointments. As long as everyone is happy to be included in the gift exchange, addresses can be shared to allow employees to send gifts to each other’s homes. Hosting a virtual gift exchange where each employee takes turns to open their gift whist chatting and enjoying Christmas drinks is a great way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Online Quiz
You don’t need a professional to host an online quiz, using Zoom, Google Hangouts or Microsoft Teams and their screen sharing function it’s easy to create a fun event all employees will enjoy. Adding prizes to the quiz rounds and keeping the questions topical or about the business / staff will keep employees engaged.
Fancy Dress Competition
Virtual fancy dress competitions are a fun and engaging way to get employees having a laugh. Arrange a theme or let employees go rogue and choose anything they want to dress up as. Employers can offer prizes for the best dressed employees, online vouchers or using fast delivery options are a great way to deliver prizes to employees quickly whilst they are working from home.
Christmas Drinks
An easy and simple way to get employees together is to organise a virtual Christmas drinks event. Allowing employees to finish early and join their colleagues virtually online to chat and socialise is a great gesture from an employer to show you appreciate their efforts. Sending out inexpensive gifts to employee’s homes with personalised Christmas cards and thank you messages from management is a great additional touch that all employees will appreciate.
