Holiday parties have evolved since the pandemic. Although fewer employers offer remote work than during the pandemic, the percentage of employees who work primarily from home remains much higher than pre-pandemic.
The combination of hybrid work environments and employees’ evolving expectations around events can make holiday parties more challenging to plan today than in the past. However, a well-designed holiday party can boost morale, foster team connection, and reinforce a positive workplace culture.
Today, creating a successful holiday party means investing time in planning a memorable event that people actually want to attend rather than a generic party that employees feel obliged to join.
1. check in with employees about what they want
Why it matters: With the growing focus on DEI in the workplace, respecting religious and cultural preferences around holiday parties is necessary. Some employees prefer quieter gatherings, while others may be more enthusiastic about structured activities like games and trivia.
How to do it: Avoid making assumptions about what your employees want for the holiday party. Instead, start with a quick pulse check on party preferences. Here are a few examples of questions you might ask:
- Would you prefer an in-person, virtual, or hybrid party?
- What date and time ranges do you prefer?
- Pick your favourite theme (with a list of options)
- Do you or your guest have any dietary restrictions?
- What activities are you excited about for this year’s party?
Pro tip: Finalize your holiday budget and do a little research before you do your pulse check. That way, you’ll avoid suggesting options that you realize are too pricey later.
2. choose a purposeful theme
Why it matters: Choosing a theme for your holiday party will set the tone and make your event feel more intentional. Themed parties are also easier to plan since you’ll have some natural direction for finishing touches on décor and activities.
How to do it: Creative themes that reflect company values can foster a sense of shared purpose and give employees a non-religious cause for celebration.
For example, a “Giving Back” theme could include charity donations to a cause your company supports as an alternative to Secret Santa gifts. You could also highlight inclusivity with an “Around the World” theme celebrating international cuisines.
Pro tip: Themes like 'Casino Royale' can be exciting for some, but it’s essential to be mindful of how they might affect employees with personal sensitivities, such as a history of gambling addiction.
3. make sure everyone can enjoy their meal
Why it matters: Food and drinks are often the cornerstones of a holiday party. They help break the ice and get people into a festive spirit, which is why it's important to have options for everyone.
Considering dietary restrictions and preferences will help all your employees feel valued. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, as well as non-alcoholic drink options, are good starts.
How to do it: Once you have feedback on employee preferences, research what your chosen catering company offers on its menu. If you’re struggling to find something that works for everyone, consider ordering food from more than one company.
If you're hosting a potluck, you should use some of your budget to order food that meets specific dietary restrictions.
Pro tip: If your holiday party is hybrid, consider ways to help remote attendees feel included. For example, you could send gift vouchers for them to order food if they can’t attend during a meal.
4. plan for a mix of social and quiet spaces
Why it matters: Different employees will have different bandwidths for social interactions and entertainment. Loud holiday music and a room full of people might delight some employees and alienate others.
Ideally, your venue should have social and quiet spaces so everyone feels comfortable at the holiday party.
How to do it: Whatever venue you choose, ensure it has smaller breakout areas. Often, larger venues will have outdoor spaces – but if you’re hosting the party in the office, don’t confine it to a single conference room.
If you’re booking live entertainment, have them perform near the end of the night so employees who find it too loud can leave without feeling conspicuous.
Pro tips: Virtual holiday parties often don't work well because remote conferencing tools tend to create a single, large gathering with no room for a break. Tools like Kumospace and Gather are a few fun alternatives that combine spatial audio with virtual meeting space and built-in games.
5. personalize gifts to show appreciation
Why it matters: The holiday season is the perfect time to show employees they’re recognized and valued. One of the most common ways employers do this is with a small gift.
However, office gifts have a bad reputation for good reason – it’s hard to organize them en masse, and even when possible, they’re often impersonal. CNBC notes that despite this, most employees appreciate a gift during the holidays, but it’s more about recognition than the item itself.
How to do it: Personal touches are nice, but they don’t have to come as a physical gift. You could also consider alternatives such as:
- A donation to a charity of the employee’s choice
- A handwritten note of appreciation from their manager
- A “Wall of Thanks” where colleagues can write notes of appreciation
- A team outing like an escape room or cooking class
- A photo/video montage of the year
Ideally, keep gifts small to avoid creating uncomfortable workplace dynamics.
Pro tip: If you opt for a physical gift, a good rule of thumb is to make it something fun they can keep and use at the office. A few examples include personalized coffee mugs or calendars.
6. be mindful of timing and logistics
Why it matters: Timing and logistics are often overlooked factors that can be crucial to whether or not employees actually enjoy your party. This is one reason why corporate boat cruise parties are notoriously unpopular—people can’t decide when to leave.
You might think that a daytime holiday party in the office is boring, but as Alison Green notes, holding a party during business hours can make it easier for employees to attend. Similarly, a virtual party might sound boring, but people might appreciate the chance to stay in.
How to do it: Sending out your survey will give you a good idea of your employees' preferred format. After that, think about the details of the venue. If it’s a catered meal, what are the seating arrangements like? Is the venue big enough for the office?
Do send people the details of the party's location and time as early as possible, especially if it’s outside of normal working hours.
Pro tip: If you’re serving alcohol, encourage everyone to get a safe ride home by offering to reimburse them for their cab fare.
7. gather feedback and iterate
Why it matters: Often, employers assume they know whether or not employees had a good time based on the general vibe of a party. But even if most people had a good time, there are probably ways you can improve your holiday party next year.
Post-event feedback can give you a sense of whether or not everyone really enjoyed themselves or if a subset of employees felt left out.
How to do it: Create a short, anonymous pulse survey asking employees what they liked and what they’d change. Leave room for open-ended responses in case employees have suggestions for next year.
Pro tip: Ideally, conduct your survey soon after the party ends so employees can fill it out while the details are fresh in their minds.
your holiday party matters more than you think.
Holiday parties are more than just a seasonal tradition—they’re an opportunity to foster connection, boost morale, and show appreciation for your team’s hard work throughout the year. By listening to employees’ preferences, choosing thoughtful themes, and paying attention to details like dietary needs, quiet spaces, and personalized touches, you can create an event that resonates with your entire team.
Invest in thoughtful planning, and your holiday party could be the highlight of your team's year.
