What Does the Office Holiday Party Look Like This Year?

Celebrating the holidays with coworkers is a time-honored tradition designed to boost morale and bring colleagues together. Thankfully, the office holiday party is making a return this year, but it may look a little different than before. Vaccines and booster shots have made gatherings and celebrations safer, but with health issues still a concern, the workplace holiday party will most likely not return to its pre-pandemic form. Party planners are balancing the need to celebrate with employee safety and comfort levels. While parties may not be the traditional big bash of years past, they’re bound to be more festive than the virtual or non-existent soiree. Keep reading for several factors shaping the office holiday party in 2021.

First, the size of the company will dictate party plans. Smaller businesses with 30 or fewer employees may have an easier time safely getting together than companies with hundreds of employees scattered around the city, state or country.

Location is another variable. Businesses that are based in locations with warm weather year-round have more options to convene in open-air outdoor venues. Workplaces where outdoor celebrations are not an option—or where COVID numbers remain high or are increasing—may opt to avoid in-person gatherings at all.

Vaccination status may also play a role. Some companies may require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test from employees and guests before attending a party. Some businesses may keep the celebration for employees only and not invite guests from outside the company.

With all of those considerations, one thing is certain: company leaders have to make tough decisions about what will work best for their unique situation. Here are some of the ways that businesses are staging employee celebrations this year:

Virtual

Some businesses may resort to taking the party online again this year to protect employees. Last year saw the invention of Zoom parties, with party planners rising to the challenge by creating events that invited group participation and engagement, such as playing trivia games designed to help facilitate co-workers getting to know each other better. Scavenger hunts, secret Santa gift exchanges, celebrity drop-ins and other Zoom-based games provide an opportunity to bring employees together from wherever they are.

Hybrid

This is an in-person party that also includes those who can’t be there. These are an option for employees who choose not to attend an in-person party and those who are spread out geographically. Remote workers are incorporated into a live celebration, either through speeches, toasts, icebreaker activities or other games.

Smaller in Scale

Vaccinated or not, bringing dozens (or even hundreds) of employees together in a ballroom or other indoor space may not be a great idea. Event venues may have their own limits on the number of guests allowed at one time. Some companies are hosting celebrations that break employees into smaller groups, bringing them together by team or department to celebrate with a meal or other festivities.

Employee Experiences

Other companies may opt to give employees gift cards to restaurants, spas, museums or experiences so that they can celebrate on their own. This also allows employees to get together outside of work if they choose.

Outdoor Parties

If the weather cooperates, taking the party outside can be a safer alternative to an indoor bash, allowing for more people to participate. Heaters, warmers and fire pits add to the holiday theme and new blankets and gloves may be part of the party favors offices to choose to give away.

San the Pot Luck

Concerns about germs mean that many partygoers are shying away from buffet lines that require a line of people to pass by open trays of food and share utensils. Individual appetizers, boxed lunches in the daytime and plated meals, or served individually at a restaurant are the most reasonable options.

Charity Drives

One benefit of the holiday party is bringing the entire group together. Something that may provide a good alternative is organizing a collection for a worthy cause that the whole office can participate in, such as collecting toys, food, winter clothing or other items for a local non-profit organization. Offices can also offer volunteering opportunities for employees in the spirit of the season. Some businesses give employees money to donate to the charity of their choice.

Whatever your company decides to do, make sure that there is some acknowledgment of both holiday spirit and a year of hard work by your team. Doing nothing would be a serious mistake. You and your colleagues have been through an incredibly challenging time. That deserves to be commemorated and celebrated, one way or another.

Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like 8 Tips For Making the Most of the Season & Managing Holiday Stress. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.