Virtual parties are a great way to boost employee morale and strengthen team bonding during a pandemic. The word in the virtual office space is that they’ve been proving useful. So now that the spooky Halloween stuff is out of the way, it’s time to transition your virtual party from goosebumps to warm, fuzzy feelings.


From Renting out Space to the Virtual Space

Company holiday parties have always been something to look forward to. They also served an organizational purpose: to bring people together that wouldn’t usually see or talk to each other. Sure, it was awkward at times. There was always at least one person with a bit too much to drink, making a fool of themselves. But even the most disgruntled employee would turn up and enjoy some laughs and the free drinks.

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So how do you plan a virtual holiday party and get people to log on?
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It’s entirely natural to have virtual holiday parties. Some companies are even taking it a step further with free booze delivery, like a craft beer and cheese pairing party. Most of us are going to want to log on and participate. It’s essential to see fellow employees acting naturally. That’s what holiday parties do. They bring out the natural in people, sometimes aided by a shot or two. However, you don’t need to imbibe to have a tremendous virtual holiday party!
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The following are tips on how to host a successful virtual holiday party:

Organize your activities: Trying to keep organized is critical. One way to do it is to create a spreadsheet. There’s usually at least more than one person involved, so a spreadsheet clarifies who’s doing what and when the deadlines are. It’s always a great way to keep your budget in check.

Make it as “hands-on” as possible: Since it’s going to be virtual, you have to be creative if you want the party to be exciting and fun. If there are gifts involved, get people to open their presents in zoom. This way, people can interact and joke with each other, especially if it’s a gag gift.

Food and cocktails: Budget in the food and drinks. People are going to want to eat. Since food is likely going to be delivered, you’re going to want to put that into the cost. You’ll also want to consider any food allergies. Since you’re inclusive, try bringing in some “virgin” drinks too, so no one feels left out.

Look sharp: A great way to feel the holiday party vibe is to encourage others to dress up, much like they’d normally do in an in-person party. Everyone likes a reason to put on their fancy outfits.
Plan ahead: When you’re planning a virtual holiday party, it’s wise to prepare. People get busy during this time, even during a pandemic. Keep in mind that there may be people taking care of others and have to have a specific time blocked out.

Send a physical reminder: People love getting mail. Well, except for maybe junk mail. With that said, people really do love receiving invitations, so try to make it personal. Perhaps a lovely handwritten note or a card. You could even include a picture from back in the day when real, live people inhabited the office space. Doing this may make people realize how much they miss seeing their co-workers’ faces.

The holidays are a special time of the year, COVID or not. This year may feel a little different but being positive can encourage and boost team morale.

If you’d like more information on virtual team building activities, feel free to reach out to us, we’ve been team building since 2005!