As we all know, the pandemic has completely upended the way we do things. Gone are the days of packed office holiday parties, awkward small talk with the boss’s boss, and spiked eggnog that inevitably leads to some questionable dance moves. But just because we can’t physically be together doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate the holiday season with our remote teams!
So, how do we go about organizing and running the best post-pandemic holiday party over Zoom?
First things first, make sure everyone is on board. Send out a survey or poll to gauge interest and availability. You don’t want to plan a whole shindig only to have half your team bail because they have conflicting plans. Also, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the dreaded Zoom fatigue. We’ve all been there, staring at a screen for hours on end, feeling drained and exhausted. So, to avoid this, try to keep the party as short and sweet as possible. Maybe consider doing a quick 30-minute gathering instead of a full-blown three-hour shindig.
Next, decide on a theme. This is a great opportunity to get creative and have some fun! Maybe you go with a classic holiday movie theme like “Elf” or “A Christmas Carol,” or perhaps you opt for something more unique like an “Ugly Sweater” party. Whatever theme you choose, make sure to let your team know ahead of time so they can get into the spirit (pun intended) and dress up accordingly. Add some holiday cheer to the mix. Encourage attendees to dress up in their favorite holiday attire, whether that be ugly sweaters or elf hats. And don’t forget to decorate your virtual background! Deck the halls with boughs of holly, or go for a more minimalist approach with a simple festive wreath.
Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. First up, the schedule. Decide on a date and time that works for the majority of your team and make sure to send out a reminder a few days beforehand. It’s also a good idea to set a start and end time for the party to avoid any Zoom fatigue.
But what’s a party without games and activities? One fun idea is to have a virtual gift exchange. Set a price limit, and have everyone bring a wrapped gift to the party. Use a random generator to determine the order, and have everyone open their gift on camera. Or, if you want to get a little more competitive, try a virtual game night. Break out the virtual charades or Pictionary for some team-building fun.
Don’t forget about the food and drinks! This is where things can get a little tricky since you can’t just order a tray of appetizers or mix up a batch of cocktails. But don’t worry, there are still ways to make it feel like a real party. You could have everyone bring their own snacks or drinks and share them virtually, or you could even send out care packages with holiday treats and goodies to everyone on your team.
Finally, make sure to have some music on hand to set the mood. You could create a playlist or hire a virtual DJ to keep the party going. And don’t forget the all-important “mute” and “unmute” buttons – nobody wants to hear background noise or have their music drowned out by someone’s loud typing. If you’re up for it, you may even end the party on a high note with a virtual carol sing-along. Gather around the virtual fireplace and belt out some classic holiday tunes. It may not be the same as singing in person, but it’s a fun way to bring everyone together and spread some holiday cheer.
So there you have it – the best way to organize and run a post-pandemic holiday party for your remote team over Zoom. With a little planning and creativity, you can still bring the holiday cheer and have a great time with your team, even if you’re not physically together. Happy holidays!
