Nothing looks the same as it did two years ago – the world has changed, and hosting a party in 2021 feels like entirely new territory. If you’re a business who just wants to make your employees feel special in some way this holiday season, then you’re likely wondering just HOW to do that. Normally, you’d host a fun corporate holiday party without any worries, but the world looks different now, and this may require more thought. Hosting a corporate holiday party is tricky, but we’re here to help with that. Here’s how to host a corporate holiday party in 2021,
Be ready to be flexible
This may be the most important and universal tip we can give you, but if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that being flexible is the only way to plan events. Flexibility in event planning may mean having a guest list that can grow or shrink as needed, being ready to change the date of an event if new restrictions are put in place by the government, or simply being prepared to alter the menu and service style depending on the rules of the venue. Being prepared to be flexible is a tip that you can’t miss when you’re planning a corporate holiday party in 2021.
Consider whether you want a virtual or in-person celebration
This may be a difficult decision to come to, so here are a few things to consider. With many employees working remotely for an extended period of time, the pull to socializing in person is growing, especially if a team member joined mid-pandemic and hasn’t met their team yet. However, some employees may be uncomfortable gathering in person, or restrictions may not allow them to gather indoors. The solution? Host an in-person holiday party, but provide the equivalent meal and ability to virtually tune in to portions of the evenings for those employees who will not be attending. It’s a way to get all employees involved while still catering to their comfort levels.
Do something different
Want to host an elegant soiree for your holiday party? That’s a great idea! But if you’re looking for something different that may not be centered around a meal, consider hosting a holiday party that’s more of a “drop-by” event – have to-go boxes with snacks, activities that employees can participate in, entertainment to keep the fun going, and even prizes that employees can win at the door. This type of event may allow for more flexibility and it can be held in the daytime – which may make it easier for employees to attend!
Here at St. Joseph’s Banquet & Conference Centre we’ve hosted many types of corporate holiday parties – from visits with Santa to black-tie galas – so we can help you plan any type of corporate holiday party you’re looking for. It’s almost the season, so contact us today to get started with your planning!