Everybody is well aware that 2020 has been very unlike any other year! And while working from home does have its benefits, it also comes with a couple of setbacks. However, let's not allow COVID-19 to curb our Christmas spirits. And organize a virtual Christmas office party as the year comes to an end!
Festive parties are so much important because these are great excuses to bring the employees together. Moreover, there's no denying that some of the best business ideas come to light in such events. And from none other than the creative and innovative minds of your employees.
So, we have prepared a lineup of some equally innovative ideas to help you increase the engagement of employees at your virtual Christmas party.
1. Have a Christmas Feast with Delivered Food
Let's not miss out on food just because it's a virtual party! Moreover, it would break people's hearts if they had to pay for their Christmas meals from their monthly salary. So, bid adieu to party caterers this year and say hello to delivered party food.
No matter wherever your employee currently is, you just need their address to have some culinary delight delivered at their doorstep. Just find a food delivery service company or a restaurant present in all major cities in the country.
Just send out the menu to them with personalized notes to be delivered with the food and they'll do the job. And if food delivery is not possible by any means, then you could just hand over food vouchers to the employees.
2. Host Team Building Activities
Festive parties and celebrations could be utilized for so much more than just fun. Celebrations could bring the entire company together. And to do that, why don't you line up some events by taking in everybody's ideas. Include some games, competitions, quizzes, and so on.
3. Christmas Dress-Up Competition
Dressing up is mandatory for any party! We know that you might have worked in your pajamas from home for the entire pandemic. But, let's be real here, party vibes can't be complete without some festive party dressing.
You could set up a Christmas dressing theme, maybe include some color restrictions, or even try a costume virtual party. And hold a competition for whose dress/costume was the most thoughtful one!
4. Virtual Rooms With Different Themes
This is a great way to emulate a house party. Convert different Google Hangout or Meet rooms into themed groups like Best Christmas costume competition, Christmas Karaoke, Quizzes, and other festive games.
Here employees could just hop in and out as and when they like. Besides splitting up the huge number of people as per their interests, it would also come across as a very thoughtful idea.
5. Christmas Awards Ceremony
Why don't spice up the virtual party by throwing in an awards section? Both official and unofficial where the former could emphasize hard work, milestones, and achievements. And on the other hand, the unofficial section could be tilted more towards the humor section like the all-rounder, the funniest employee, the talented one, and so on.
6. Send Out a Special Christmas Bonus
Get the festive vibe on by sending out a surprise Christmas bonus to thank your employees for incorporating all the hard work in the pandemic. Imagine how elated they would be when they check out that exciting bonus in their salary slips.
Who knows, maybe your employees needed a bit of home-office upgrade and this could help them out. Or, even better, you could also offer COVID life insurance to them. Trust me, nothing could provide them with more safety.
7. Sharing Holiday Stories
A virtual party could really sound like a pretty boring engagement. But, you can always jazz it up! Include a section, where everybody could share stories, holiday memories, traditions, and so on. Well, you have to agree that everybody has a couple of funny incidents to share. And what better opportunity than a Christmas party!
8. Christmas Holiday Videos of Employees
With almost an entire year spent inside our homes, people are bound to get bored. So, everybody has been engaging in fun household activities to keep their spirits high. And asking your employees to share bits and pieces from their lives would make them feel special. Who wouldn't like watching a toddler having fun or a cute pet dog taking part in the festivities?
9. Host Christmas Themed Gaming Tournaments
Holiday games are a must-have for any party. So, yours one cannot miss out on games either. Turns out you could explore a lot on this front when online. Split up your company family into multiplayer groups and gear up for a festive gaming tournament.
10. Personalized Christmas Gift Packages from Secret Santa
If you are sending out Christmas gifts to your employees, make sure they are personalized. Your employee's taste and likeability matter and let them know it. This will make them feel special and important.
The year has been filled with challenges for everyone. And so sending out the monthly employee salary isn't enough. You need to depict that you appreciate all the hard work your employees have contributed in such trying times. And Christmas is the perfect opportunity to do the same.
Bring in the Christmas Vibes!
Working remotely doesn't imply in any way that you cannot enjoy the festivities. The above points are clear proof that you absolutely can! So, let's get our holiday spirits high. And bring in the festive cheer with the entire office family even when divided by distance!
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- 10 Creative Ideas for HR to Celebrate Christmas Virtually With Remote Employees - December 16, 2020
