{"id":4442,"date":"2024-12-05T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/?p=4442"},"modified":"2024-12-05T09:57:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T08:57:18","slug":"office-christmas-party-ideas-not-the-traditional-boozy-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/office-christmas-party-ideas-not-the-traditional-boozy-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Office Christmas Party Ideas: Not the Traditional, Boozy ‘Do"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Cringe-worthy karaoke and awkward situations \u2013 this seems to be the main theme of the average Christmas party in many offices. Unsurprisingly, a 2021 survey found that<\/span> 1 in 10 Brits would rather avoid attending<\/span><\/a> Christmas party activities because they didn\u2019t want to embarrass themselves, and in many cases, alcohol is to blame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But something is changing: UK businesses are moving away from the traditional office Christmas party and replacing boozy \u2018dos with more inclusive celebrations. For this article, we surveyed 70 companies to find out how they\u2019re innovating and switching from office parties with a booze-fuelled format to something genuinely enjoyable for everybody.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the findings of this survey \u2013 you might find some interesting ideas on how to plan this year\u2019s Christmas party.<\/span><\/p>\n

The shift towards more inclusive holiday celebrations<\/b><\/h2>\n

The main issue with celebrations that centre around alcohol is that some employees feel left out. Gen Z, which will soon account for 30% of the workforce, are known for consuming less alcohol than Millennials, and many don\u2019t drink at all. Also, with London being such a diverse city, it\u2019s very likely that almost every office will have someone from a different cultural background.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why many businesses now opt for alcohol-free gatherings during the festive period. As some of our respondents said when asked about their alternative Christmas event ideas, there\u2019s no need to force outdated traditions. And when events align with employees\u2019 values, engagement naturally follows. At the end of the day, people choose what speaks to them. So, read on to learn about some of the more inclusive and non-traditional work Christmas party ideas that are gaining traction in workplaces across industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

From Christmas tipples to team building<\/b><\/h2>\n

A low-pressure and fun team-building event like a trivia session or an escape room experience will allow everyone to participate, irrespective of their background or tolerance for alcohol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of our respondents,<\/span> Agata Szczepanek<\/span><\/a>, Community Manager at<\/span> LiveCareer<\/span><\/a>, explained that last year they swapped ugly sweaters and free booze for a night of games, puzzles, and team-building activities. This format was so fun, inclusive, and genuinely memorable that they plan on doing the same this year. Definitely much more entertaining than the typical open bar option and the morning-after regrets!<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote and hybrid teams get festive<\/b><\/h2>\n

More than<\/span> 60% of London offices have some sort of hybrid or remote work arrangement<\/span><\/a>, which poses a challenge for Christmas party planning. Some companies are going for fully virtual Christmas party gatherings with activities like virtual quizzes, online cooking classes, or even a holiday bingo. These are easy enough to implement remotely and allow everyone to join the festivities and get into the holiday spirit without feeling left out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving back instead of overindulging<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s another trend we noticed when going through the responses to our poll: instead of overdoing it with food and alcohol, many companies are planning their Christmas party so that it\u2019s a more meaningful celebration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, the founder of legal firm<\/span> Top 10 Lawyers<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Steve Sacona<\/span><\/a>, explained that they now<\/span> host a \u2018Justice for All\u2019 day, where employees volunteer with local non-profits. It\u2019s a team-building day and feel-good event that reflects their values \u2013 not to mention that it avoids any post-party liability issues!<\/span><\/p>\n

Other respondents to our poll asking for alternatives to the traditional office Christmas party have included end-of-year activities like serving meals at shelters, getting involved as a team with community food banks, and participating in animal protection initiatives. These options help office staff connect on a deeper level during the festive season and give everyone a chance to feel proud of what they can accomplish together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A health-first holiday season<\/b><\/h2>\n

Based on our survey, health-conscious and alcohol-free celebrations are on the rise, saving everyone from nasty hangovers and embarrassing anecdotes. This shift resonates with the cultural diversity of London workplaces, and also reflects the growing awareness about the importance of health and well-being in the office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some respondents from our office Christmas party poll mentioned that their corporate Christmas party now includes wellness activities like group yoga, outdoor hikes, and even tea-tasting sessions \u2013 anything that staff can remember as something that makes a difference will work. What\u2019s more, chances are that participation levels will stay high year after year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holiday potlucks: A feast of cultures<\/b><\/h2>\n

Nothing brings people together like food. In diverse workplaces, which is pretty much the norm in London offices, holiday potlucks could be a great alternative to the more traditional corporate Christmas party.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s more than just about exchanging gingerbread and Diwali sweets \u2013 these gatherings offer an opportunity to learn about colleagues and each of their family\u2019s traditions, while enjoying amazing home-cooked food, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formal but fun: A booze-free gala<\/b><\/h2>\n

This excellent idea comes from one of the respondents in our poll on ideas for alternative Christmas celebrations,<\/span> Eliot Vancil<\/span><\/a>, CEO of<\/span> Fuel Logic<\/span><\/a>. Their company hosts a \u2018Company Highlights & Appreciation Gala\u2019, where they honour staff accomplishments and hand out prizes. It\u2019s a chance to celebrate and get into the festive spirit, but with a greater purpose \u2013 without needing booze to have a good time.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your team loves a polished event and you want to end the year on a high note and recognise the individuals and teams that keep your business’s lights on, this could be a great alternative. And you could even put a spin on the traditional black-tie gala with a winter wonderland theme, or eschew formal dress altogether making it a holiday costume party. The options for designing a celebration to spread festive cheer amongst your employees are limited only by your imagination. And the state of your work’s petty cash stash, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Holiday-themed workshops<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s another booze-free suggestion that is also very practical, considering how busy everyone is trying to find original gifts at this time of the year. Some companies are now running Christmas-themed workshops where employees can make something tangible to keep and inject some festive spirit at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t need to be complicated: anything from wreath-making, decorating biscuits, or crafting ornaments will do, as long as it\u2019s interactive, creative, and festive. These activities are great for upping the holiday spirit and encouraging collaboration while tapping into the artistic side of your employees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get staff feedback<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before wrapping it up, we want to bring into the conversation the importance of getting your staff\u2019s feedback about their preferred office Christmas celebrations format. One of our poll respondents,<\/span> George Silagadze<\/span><\/a>, co-founder and CEO of<\/span> Photo2painting<\/span><\/a>, said that it was only after hearing the candid feedback of an employee about feeling excluded by traditional parties that they were moved to design celebrations that honour everyone’s values and backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not only applicable to whether alcohol should be on offer at the end-of-year party. It would also be useful to check whether your attendance policy is well received by staff and why. For example, in our survey, only 3% of the companies we polled still require mandatory attendance, which suggests things are moving in a different direction. In fact, some of the respondents to our alternative Christmas party ideas poll said that non-mandatory attendance actually led to consistently higher participation rates than when attendance was required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

High engagement is more likely to happen when the office culture is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, avoiding the default company Christmas party model of celebrating with alcohol at Christmas parties, kick-offs, or other company events where alcohol often plays a central role.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whether it\u2019s a volunteer day, a creative workshop to make decorations for home, a wellness event, or an inclusive gala with a winter wonderland theme, the underlying trend of modern festive celebrations is clear: today\u2019s employees value Christmas party activities and end of year celebrations that align with their values, priorities, and personal lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The traditional boozy office Xmas party might be fading into something from the past, and instead, we\u2019re likely to see emerging a far more meaningful option: work Christmas party activities that make employees feel seen, appreciated, and included.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers to this year\u2019s festive season (with a cup of herbal tea, of course)!<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for Office Spaces Suited to Year-Round Gatherings, Not Just Christmas Ones?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking to<\/span> move into a new office space<\/span><\/a> for the new year and want more room for fun, team-building activities like those outlined above, our office space experts would be happy to assist. Call us on 020 3965 9617 to learn more about choosing the right office space, and let our specialists show you a choice of offices in<\/span> Central<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> Greater London<\/span><\/a> that will most suit your business and its needs. We can help you to identify and negotiate the best offers.<\/span><\/p>\n

For additional reading, see some of our other recent posts on office space, the workplace, and other business themes, below:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Most Haunted Places in London, England: Office Buildings Edition<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Gen Z in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>The Benefits of Having Plants in the Office<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Cycling to Work in London: Bike-Friendly Office Locations<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>London Office Market Report 2024<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Office Design Trends in Central London Office Space<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>New Developments in London Office Space: Central<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Benefits of Modular Office Furniture for Flexible Workspaces<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cringe-worthy karaoke and awkward situations \u2013 this seems to be the main theme of the average Christmas party in many offices. Unsurprisingly, a 2021 survey found that 1 in 10 Brits would rather avoid attending Christmas party activities because they didn\u2019t want to embarrass themselves, and in many cases, alcohol is to blame.\u00a0 But something […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[199,505,560,324,8,202,162,489],"tags":[277,186,207,26],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4442"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4442"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4443,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4442\/revisions\/4443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londonofficespace.com\/buzz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}