20 Nov 3 FUN IDEAS FOR YOUR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
Holiday parties can provide a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation to your staff, facilitate team bonding, and celebrate a year of hard work. But with remote teams continuing to drive the workforce, end-of-year celebrations have also moved to a virtual space. So how can you provide your team with a fun and satisfying celebration when you’re not all in one place? At Ann Albrecht Consulting we are always finding new ways to celebrate together, and with so many options, there is bound to be something that’s a perfect fit for your team.
Here are a few ways to spice up your virtual holiday party, so it doesn’t feel like just another video call.
PLAY A GAME
Is your team playful and competitive? Try hosting a virtual game night! You can find trivia questions in a variety of categories online or design your own with questions about your company or specific field. Divide into teams (maybe by department), or if you are a small group, have everyone play on their own. Don’t forget about prizes for the winners!
If you are looking for something that is more about team building, try a virtual escape room or murder mystery game. There are several services that will guide you through a virtual game and make party planning a snap! Your team will have fun trying to beat the clock, and you will learn tons about everyone’s problem-solving style in the process.
Try outbackteambuilding.com or theescapegame.com for fun and creative team building games.
DO A TASTING
One way to make a remote party feel more festive is by ensuring everyone has something to eat and drink. Send your employees gift baskets ahead of time, so everyone has snacks for the party. Or provide them with gift cards so everyone can choose their own treats. If you want to go bigger, why not host a live cooking demonstration, with your team members following along in their own kitchens?
You can also sign up for tastings, with a guest expert to guide the team through a tasty tour. Learn about wine and cheese pairings, eat some delectable chocolates, or try a guided meditation with accompanying herbal tea.
Check out withconfetti.com, priorityexperiences.com, or unboxedexperiences.com for a variety of food- and drink-based activities.
It’s important to remember, if you are planning to incorporate alcohol, be sure this won’t get you in trouble with your company or alienate any of your team members. When in doubt, keep it clean. And when sending any food or supplies ahead of time, make sure to factor in enough time for shipping to all locations – if you have team members abroad, you will need to plan further in advance!
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR
If you want to celebrate somewhere more exotic than your home office, why not take a trip around the world? For a celebration that is a bit more out-of-the-box, sign up for a virtual tour of a foreign city. Take your team on a virtual adventure and explore someplace new and exciting, from the comfort of your own home. Incorporating themed snacks would be a fantastic way to make this an all-encompassing experience.
Woyago.com offers virtual tours from Paris to New Delhi, specifically designed for team-bonding.
Planning a virtual team event doesn’t have to be stressful. There are lots of resources available to help you put together an experience that your coworkers will love. And don’t forget to thank them for their hard work and take time to appreciate another successful year for you and your team!