Even though some companies are working back in the office a couple of days a week, most companies are still very focused on hosting virtual holiday events. Learning some lessons from last year’s most successful virtual events, the primary goal is to make sure that the events are as fun and inclusive as possible to ensure that all employees (and in some cases their families) can join in.

Because Ten Spot has been hosting a wide variety of virtual events over the past 18-months, we’ve seen and experienced it all, and are sharing our best practices and some of the most popular ideas so you can help make the holiday celebrations at your company some of the most memorable ever.

The Great Entertainment
Some of the most popular and successful events companies have requested for their holiday gatherings include live comedy or music sets. Live entertainment is a great option for companies of all sizes but can be really amazing for large companies - especially if they have the budget to hire a great act. If you want something that’s more family-friendly, or even just for employees’ kids (while the parents are watching what might be a more adult act), consider airing a popular holiday movie and sending snack packs to employees’ homes to make it a fun at-home movie event.

Make it A Merry Competition
Love ugly holiday sweaters? Do your employees have Clark Griswold aspirations when it comes to lighting up their houses, or are they the next Martha Stewart when it comes to indoor holiday decor? Pick a category and hold a contest with a range of prizes that everyone can ooh, ahh, and have a good laugh over. Whatever holiday competition you choose, have employees take photos and submit them in advance so employees can start voting on them the week before to get people excited about the event and get the conversation flowing.

Help Them Become the Hosts with the Most
Are your employees a little more hands-on, or do they consider themselves foodies? If so, you might want to consider a party that features a holiday cocktail crafting class, or perhaps a holiday appetizer cooking class. Many virtual cooking or mixology classes have options to send ingredients to employees ahead of time so they can follow right along with the instructor. Classes provide the most “live” interaction and the added fun to share any kitchen klutziness that might happen, as well as joy and satisfaction in a delicious outcome.

Now Go Make it A Success!
While the focus of these virtual holiday gatherings is the event itself, the moments before and after the event takes place are really great opportunities for employees to socialize on their own. Additionally, get in the mind of your remote employees. Just because the event is virtual it doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t) last for the same duration as a traditional in-person company party. With the exception of live entertainment or movie events, we’ve found that keeping things to 45 to 55 minutes not only boosts employee participation and engagement in the event but keeps Zoom fatigue to a minimum.