Many offices are still remaining closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the season for holiday parties roll around again. The possibility of a vaccine may be in our future, but it won’t be ready prior to the Christmas holiday so many companies are planning to hold digital get-togethers.
There are reports of food deliveries, workshops and live entertainment being planned to coincide with the online parties. All of this is being planned with the objective of boosting the morale of employees who have been weighted down with the events of 2020 and feeling isolated at home.
Hire Space is a large venue event planning company that has had to evolve their offerings in light of the pandemic to offer hosting digital parties. Hire Space offers an entrance experience that includes a comedy bouncer who checks dress codes before allowing the employee into the event and then several immersive rooms that range from burlesque to dance floors.
Employees view a fun video game-like map where they can choose which room to enter based on the type of entertainment and where other employees are hanging out. Even virtual toilets and smoking areas are included.
Hire Space officials report that the company is now hiring again due to the popularity of the platform.
Another company, Digital Murder Mystery, has jumped on board by providing virtual murder mystery parties, hosted by a trained actor. Guest are sent their character descriptions in advance. Company officials report the events are not just for fun, but aid in team-building as well.
Food companies are still targeting businesses to provide working lunches by offering deliveries to individual employees, mainly through gig apps like Door Dash. For example, One Fine Dine is offering simultaneous food delivery for guests during a holiday event so that the food delivery won’t interrupt activities and be distracting for employees.
Some companies have live team events to encourage teamwork and morale. One such example is Cookalong.tv which offers a team cookery class. The menu is prearranged with ingredients and wine paired beforehand with live cooking skills taught by professional chefs.
Other companies have gone the live and interactive workshop route that include cocktail-mixing, wreath-making and beauty treatments. Some advertising, wellness, and fashion label companies have taken advantage of this offering. Sessions could range from mindful breathing to facial massage. One company, Wreath Making Delivered, is already booked for the holidays, seeing record-breaking sales increases.
Obviously live entertainment venues have been shut down by the pandemic, but this hasn’t stopped live performers from offering concerts online for business events. NextUp is a company offering virtual comedy events directly with the comedian’s home. Encore is also a company hiring hundreds of musicians to deliver virtual live music packages. One term that has become popular during this time is “Zoom Bomb” which occurs when musicians surprise employees on a video call with an impromptu song.
Some tips for businesses planning a virtual holiday party:
Think about the reason. The first step for framing the events is to set an objective. What is it that you want to achieve with your employees? Time to have fun, team-build, strengthen bonds? Or is the goal simply to establish some sense of normalcy, and if so make the event as close to the face-to-face tradition as possible.
Consider employee needs. Given the fact that the employees are at home, they may have children or other family members present, roommates, or other circumstances that could make an event held after work hours a struggle. Consider these special needs when scheduling the event.
Make something. Scheduling a live interactive craft to make as a team during the holiday gathering could be a fun way to ensure all are involved. For instance, send out pieces of a gingerbread house and hold a competition.
Try a tasting. There are several companies offering virtual tastings. The company will send the product to your employees in advance and offer a professional to guide the event.
Technology has taken the spotlight this holiday season, and we have virtually no choice to comply!