When the chilly weather rolls in, life outside your business will be chock-full of festivities, bright colors, and yummy foods. It would be a shame to miss out on the hype at work! All businesses should embrace the joy of the holidays with some fun, memorable celebrations. Even if some of your employees work remotely from other locations, you can bring everyone together for virtual holiday parties!
Why Are Virtual Holiday Parties Important for Remote and Hybrid Teams?
Remote and hybrid team members rely on one another just as much as in-person teammates do—so it’s equally important to create opportunities to mingle. It may be challenging to foster the same close relationships when geography is an issue, but technology makes it easier!
There are three main reasons virtual holiday parties impact your team.
It Helps Remote Teams Stay Connected Amidst the Holiday Rush
Casual online banter naturally decreases around the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Your teammates will be inundated with shopping, preparing, and socializing outside of work. But hosting virtual holiday parties carves out time for closeness between members of your team.
Holiday hype is a common denominator for many people you work with! Almost everyone requires an outlet to unwind and vent about the rush—you’re doing them all a favor by hosting a virtual event.
Virtual Holiday Parties Boost Morale!
You don’t want showing up for work (or signing in) to feel dramatically different or off-beat from the rest of your life. If business is depressing (or all work and no play) around the holidays, you’re sure to see the consequences in your teammate’s attitudes and work output.
On the other hand, throwing virtual holiday parties helps build momentum and reassure members of your team that they’re supported and worthy of celebration during a special time. (Any excuse to throw a celebration is a good one, right?) You’ll see fewer disagreements and greater enthusiasm on the job when you seize the opportunity for joy.
Related: How To Host Incredible and Fun Virtual Holiday Events For Your Team
Your Team Can Build New Relationships
The holidays are the perfect time to kindle new friendships. A celebratory season gives folks something to talk about—a timely, built-in icebreaker. Even if teammates haven’t had cause to chat with one another outside of business meetings before, they may hit it off at one of your virtual holiday parties!
For example, a mid-twenties IT expert and a sixty-year-old human resource manager probably don’t have many chances to get to know each other outside of work emergencies. But during a holiday party, they can swap recipes and laugh over holiday traditions. The magic of the holidays has a way of bringing people closer—if you let them.
How to Host Fun Virtual Holiday Parties for Your Team
You may be thinking “but my team’s spread all over the place!” Many companies face similar obstacles. Whether your team is entirely remote or split between home and office, these strategies will help you throw exciting, memorable (and meaningful) virtual holiday parties with ease.
Focus on Experiences Over Gifts
Of course, it’s wonderful to give thoughtful, wrapped gifts around the holidays. But it can be difficult to know what physical item to buy for each of your teammates. But events are dynamic and enjoyable for all!
Delicious Experiences offer unique, exciting, and memorable culinary and mixology classes to highlight the holiday spirit. We put together everything you need and ship it to your teammate’s homes or office. Just a few clicks and you’ll be face-to-face with one of our fun, passionate instructors!
A few festive Experiences include “A Holiday Miracle: Mug Cakes,” “Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Bombs,” or “Spiked Hot Chocolate Making.” What better way to spread some holiday smiles?
Make Sure Everyone Feels Included and Represented
Even the most exciting virtual holiday parties will fall flat if some team members feel left out because of their cultural or religious beliefs. Fall and Winter encompass many celebratory events across the world. Do your research and check with your team to ensure everyone is equally and accurately spoken for.
You can send a general holiday survey or ask your team to enter their important holidays into a shared calendar. Be sure to inquire about special or meaningful traditions for each member of your team, too! Everyone will feel better about celebrating when they know with certainty that everyone in attendance has been accounted for.
Don’t Forget the Details
The best Experiences are well thought out and strategically planned for those taking part. It’s no wonder so many companies opt for a generic dinner celebration or gift cards around the holidays—nobody has time to plan!
Our team at Delicious Experiences thinks of everything for you. We not only provide the warmest, most-flavorful food and drinks of the season, we teach you how to enjoy them:
- We pair food and beverages that compliment one another
- Tell you when to shake, stir, or sip for maximum flavor
- Eradicate awkward silences and fill the room with laughter while learning
We even offer replacements for team members with dietary restrictions! Virtual parties are a cakewalk with us on your side.
Make a Schedule (But Be Ready to Not Follow It)
Have you ever been to a party with nothing to do? If you want to throw successful virtual holiday parties, you need activities to fill the time. It helps if you make a schedule of fun things to do before the big day rolls around.
For example, write a list of holiday-themed questions, carve out time for a trivia game, or have an awards (or gifts) ceremony in queue for the party. These types of activities take the pressure off of your guests to create conversation or otherwise fill the silence.
But keep a look out for organic fun once the party gets cooking! You don’t have to stay on schedule down to the minute: let activities run their natural course and go over their time slot when necessary. Never interrupt blooming connections with pesky reminders about the schedule.
Send Out Party Favors or Gifts
Goodie bags aren’t just for kids' parties. Thoughtful favors double as nice holiday gifts and token reminders of all the fun that was had during virtual holiday parties. In lieu of an in-person table presentation with gifts, you can time an email message or send gifts via snail mail after your remote celebration.
Some businesses enjoy “Secret Snowflake” gift exchanges, where each member of the team is assigned a secret gift-giver. This way, every member of your team gets paid special attention and receives a thoughtful, unique present from someone else.
Virtual holiday parties bring your team closer together by amplifying the magic of the holiday season. Whether your team is completely remote or hybrid (with some folks working in the office), contact us at Delicious Experiences to plan a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive culinary or mixology Experience that wows!
