Parties are part of any business once the holidays come around. Although some companies can organize one on-site safely, that may not be the case for you.
If your business works remotely or has left it too late to organize an in-person holiday party this year, a virtual party can be a great alternative. It can cater to both large and small workforces and incorporate a variety of simple and complex themes with fewer factors to consider and less organization to contend with.
If you’re considering hosting a virtual holiday party this year, continue reading to find out why you should.
It can foster a sense of community
If your workforce works remotely or across several buildings, a virtual holiday party can be a rare opportunity for employees to connect with one another and catch up with any professional and personal updates they may have missed throughout the year.
It can also be marketed months in advance to give employees something to look forward to and plan to ensure the entire event goes off without a hitch. If your company’s first virtual holiday party is a roaring success, it can promote productivity and morale and be upgraded to an annual event.
If you’ve decided to host a virtual holiday party and are on the hunt for virtual holiday party ideas, Greenvelope’s guide can provide you with everything you need to know ahead of time.
It can celebrate employees’ hard work
If your company does not offer monthly or annual performance reviews, a virtual holiday party can be a great opportunity to celebrate employees’ hard work. If a particular employee has gone above and beyond or a specific department has outperformed its performance targets.
For example, recognition, a physical prize, or even a promotion, can reward them for their hard work and effort throughout the year and encourage them to keep up the good work in the coming year and beyond. This is a particularly good idea if you’ve been made aware of a company-wide slump in recent weeks or are looking to generate productivity and morale ahead of the new year.
It can save you time and money
If you usually spend weeks, or even months, planning a holiday party for your entire workforce every year, a virtual holiday party can save you a considerable amount of time and money at what is one of the most expensive times of the year. This is because there will no longer be a need to find a venue, hire a caterer, pay for drinks, buy an outfit, and organize travel for a large group of people.
If you’re looking to cut costs into the new year, for example, a virtual holiday party is unlikely to eat into your budget or force you to recuperate costs later on. In addition to saving money, you can also free up more time to spend on running the business, managing projects and planning ahead before the year comes to an end.
It can encourage participation and engagement
If your company struggles with participation and engagement or you are just looking to strengthen your relationship with your existing employees, a virtual holiday party can encourage participation and engagement by connecting a larger group of unfamiliar people, fostering inclusive conversations, and paving the way for friendships to be made.
If your business has a large workforce, for example, a virtual holiday party may appear daunting. But it can still mimic an intimate feel and ensure everyone feels included and involved from the very onset and throughout.
If you end up hiring a performer or entertainer, your employees will also feel as if they have a front-row seat to first-class entertainment from the comfort of their own homes for a truly unforgettable experience.
It can lead to greater team-working skills
If your employees tend to work individually or rarely work as part of a team, a virtual holiday party can lead to greater team-working skills by encouraging a group of like-minded individuals to work together to solve a problem or achieve a desired result.
This is especially true if you plan to host a series of games, puzzles, or brainteasers during your virtual holiday party with employees that are unfamiliar with one another forced to work together and combine their individual skills, knowledge and experience. It can also be a great way for employees to bond, socialize and let their hair down outside of the restraints of a working environment.
If you’re toying with the idea of hosting a virtual holiday party for your business this year, there are several reasons why you should. It can foster a sense of community, celebrate employees’ hard work, save you time and money, encourage participation and engagement. It may also lead to greater team-working skills, which may promote a happier and healthier working environment on a year-round basis.
