As another year winds down and the holidays begin, great companies look for ways of celebrating and thanking their staff. In today’s world, how can a company mindfully celebrate and engage their team in a manner that’s meaningful, exciting, unique and festive but also tasteful and inclusive?
Mostly gone are the days of purely lavish, over-the-top parties — today’s events are more intentional. As event planners we need to dig deeper and get to the heart of the matter. Employers want to foster connection, reflect company values, and create meaningful experiences for everyone. Here’s a list of ideas to make this year’s holiday party both memorable and meaningful:
Be Inclusive
Did you know that there are upwards of 10 or more holidays that happen around the same time as Christmas? So, let’s refer to this year’s event as a “holiday party” and celebrate the season more broadly. You can incorporate neutral, sparkly, wintery decor that celebrates the magic of the season without too much focus on one holiday. Of course we are not trying to be a grinch about it! Definitely keep some well-loved Christmas favourites like a Christmas tree or visit with Santa but serving up some seasonal favourites from various cultures like crispy potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream to celebrate Channukah or crispy plantains with cilantro dipping Sauce to celebrate Kwanzaa… is mouth watering.
Pick a Theme that Emulates your Company Culture
Themes always add flair to holiday parties. This year, instead of the usual themes like Roaring 20s or Hollywood, select a theme that feels closer to your company’s core values and brand identity. Is your company a travel agency? Consider an airport lounge theme! Does your company identify as Canadian made and owned? A Great Canadian Outdoors theme seems perfect!
Include All Members of the Family
Who says the holiday party can’t be for the whole family? Inviting spouses and kids allows for heartwarming connections as employees’ families mingle, play and share in the celebration. Consider adding activities everyone can enjoy, such as arcade games or a photo booth, that can bring deeper connectivity, joy and meaning to the celebration.
Include a Charity or CSR aspect
Incorporating a charity element to your holiday event will truly elevate its meaning beyond fun for fun’s sake. Some CSR event ideas include a Stuff a Buddy station where guests can make a bear to give to a child in the hospital or host a Bike Build where staff build bikes together as teams that later get donated to kids in need. These types of activities at your event can be entertaining, meaningful and be excellent team bonding experiences.
Include Team Building
Alongside the usual dinner, speeches, and dancing, add a fun team-building activity like a game show, karaoke, or a murder mystery. You can spark a little friendly rivalry between departments or put managers in the hot sea.! These types of activities foster interactions and can be quite fun to both participate in and watch.
Serve Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Many forward-thinking events now include a range of zero-proof cocktails (mocktails) and non-alcoholic craft beverages on the menu. These can be beautiful and taste great, think Juniper and Tonic, Green Tea Mimosa or Garden Collins. Not everybody drinks alcohol; in fact drinking less and outright abstaining from alcohol is an emerging trend among Generation Z. Having a creative variety of non-alcoholic drinks at your party not only promotes inclusivity but also health, wellness and safety. Plus having non-alcoholic options beyond basic sodas, juices and water will encourage drinking guests to mix it up a little and drink alcohol in moderation. It’s a win- win!
Make it Sustainable
Sustainability is not just a catch phrase – it’s a responsibility. Event planners need to think about ways to make their event more sustainable. With everything one already has to do to organize an event, it may sound a little daunting, but small simple conscious steps make a big difference. Choose local suppliers, like nearby wineries, to cut down on transportation-related emissions. Eliminate single-use plastics such as balloons and opt for rentals instead. Every step counts towards a more sustainable celebration.
A meaningful holiday party goes beyond just having a good time — it’s a chance to celebrate and appreciate your team in a way that resonates. By focusing on inclusivity, family, charity, sustainability, and the unique culture of your company, you can create an experience that feels both festive and impactful. After all, isn’t the season about bringing people together in meaningful ways? Here’s to planning a holiday celebration that everyone will remember — one with purpose, personality, and heart.
Dawne Eisenberg is CEO and founder of Pop! Events Group, a leading event management, rentals, and services firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Pop! Events Group has executed thousands of successful live, hybrid ,and virtual events over 18 years in business.
