Office parties can serve as a break from routine office work. They act as a socialization platform that encourages interaction amongst colleagues while allowing them to relax and unwind. Such engagement activities can also help motivate and reward employees for their contributions to the company.
Depending on the budget and the activities you have in mind, you can hold office parties within the office space. It can be as simple as having a food party where everyone can gather and eat together. On the other hand, if you have extra resources to spare, why not go bold and throw something vibrant and engaging that can entice everyone to participate and have fun?
For instance, you can conduct the party away from the office; you can look for a corporate event venue for hire with sufficient space, facilities, and good entertainment. This change of scenery can be a breath of fresh air for everyone.
And as you plan your office party, it’s recommended to involve everyone. That way, no one feels left out. You can do so by making a list of activities and having your team vote on what they would prefer to do. Here are some suggestions you can float with the team:
1. Tech-Infused Mini Golf Course
This can be a fantastic treat for your employees as an office party activity. Tech-infused mini golf courses are the new sensation. They’re fully automated, where the ball is a mini computer that tracks every playing move with precision. Live scoreboards show players’ points accompanied by audible on-screen animations. They are furnished with custom-themed holes that offer a variety of interactive games in high-end and sophisticated designs.
The combination of technology and gamification makes mini-golf easy, fun, and accessible even to amateurs. If you’re in Manchester, give your employees the ideal treat by letting them experience tech-infused golf at Minigolf Manchester.
2. Secret Santa
Most office parties are usually held at the end of the year, mostly at the beginning of the festive season. And so, playing Secret Santa at your office party can be a fantastic way of welcoming the season.
In a nutshell, Secret Santa is a gift exchange game where all participants write their names on a piece of paper. The papers are then folded and mixed. Each participant then gets to pick a name randomly. The person you pick from the draw lots becomes your Secret Santa. Every participant gets to buy a gift for their Secret Santa, which will be presented on the day of the office Christmas party.
This can be a perfect ice breaker and a fun way to lift people’s spirits as they keep guessing who their Secret Santa is.
3. Talent Showcase
Most people in the office only know each other professionally because the formal vibe and environment in the workplace do not usually allow people to show their unseen sides. And so, including a talent show at an office party can get people out of their shells.
This activity can give colleagues a chance to warm up to each other, therefore, bond more. You’ll be surprised to learn that the quiet Joe from IT is also a comedian and the serious Mary from HR is a good dancer. Talent showcasing can also create camaraderie and shared interests among colleagues. It’ll foster cohesion among colleagues resulting in better relations.
4. Photo Booth
Photo booths have grown in popularity and have become all the rage in corporate events. And all with good reason. Photo booths enable people to capture the moment and create lasting memories. They can accommodate a group and can be customized according to your desired theme.
Such entertainment can also allow everyone to let down their guard and pose even for silly pictures. Such pictures can then become part of the company’s story. And after individuals and friends have had their take, don’t miss the opportunity to end the day with magical, stunning team photos.
5. Arts And Crafts
Another unique way to engage people during an office party is to stimulate their creative side with arts and crafts. You can get painting supplies for everyone and hire a painter to teach them how to paint. To spice things up, let it be a painting competition where the best artwork wins a prize.
The best part will be when everyone gets to show what they’ve painted. This can be a way to encourage creativity while having fun. You can also have a camera ready to take pictures of everyone’s masterpiece.
Office parties are a great way for colleagues to bond and share memories while also having the chance to unwind from work stress and celebrate wins. Combining good food with the theme or activities most people are happy with is more likely to get everyone excited and make them more enticed to join and participate.
The suggestions above are just some of the creative ideas you can incorporate into your office party to have a dynamic and engaging event that everyone will surely remember.
