The holidays are a time for office parties and celebrating with co-workers, but things will look a little different this year. With many people still working remotely, how can you ensure everyone feels included in the festivities? By throwing a hybrid Christmas party, of course! Here’s everything you need to know to make your event a resounding success.
Table of contents
What is a Hybrid Christmas Party?
How to Plan a Hybrid Christmas Party
- Set a budget
- Pick a date and time
- Choose a venue and platform
- Plan the menu
- Send out invitations
How to Host a Hybrid Christmas Party
What is a Hybrid Christmas Party?
A hybrid work environment is a fun little side-effect caused by the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, where half of the workers work from home while others work in the office.
A Hybrid Christmas party is an event that takes place both in-person and online. This means that even if some of your team members can’t be there in person, they can still join in on the fun from the comfort of their homes. Not only does this allow everyone to participate, but it also keeps things safe and socially distant.
How to Plan the Perfect Hybrid Christmas Party for Your Office
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than by throwing a Christmas party for your office? But with so many people still working from home, you might be wondering how to plan a hybrid Christmas party that will please everyone. Never fear! We’re here to help. Here are some tips on planning the perfect hybrid Christmas party for your office.
1. Set a budget
This is probably the most crucial step in planning any party, but it’s especially important when planning a hybrid party. You’ll need to account for the cost of food and decorations for both in-person and virtual attendees, so it’s important to set a budget upfront and stick to it.
2. Pick a Date and Time
The first step is to pick a date and time that works for everyone on your team. Remember that some people may not be able to participate if the party is during work hours, so it’s best to choose an after-work or weekend date. You should also send out a save-the-date early so people can mark their calendars and plan accordingly.
3. Choose a Venue and a platform
Now it’s time to pick a venue! For your IRL (in real life) party, choose a space that’s big enough to accommodate all of your attendees while still maintaining social distancing guidelines and that has the technology in place to help you host and stream your live event(s).
For those guests attending the party online, make sure everyone has the correct login information and knows how to use the platform you’re using ahead of time.
When choosing your online platform consider things like:
- How many people will be attending? Does your provider have capacity limits?
- Do you want to see everyone’s faces (e.g., for games or mingling)?
- Do you want people to be able to join in from their phones, tablet, or laptop?
- What kind of activities do you want to do during the party?
- Do you require break-out rooms or other functions like a whiteboard, screen sharing, or polling?
Some popular video-conferencing platforms that can be used for hybrid parties are Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype.
4. Plan the menu
Make sure you have enough food and drink for everyone – both in person and online. This may mean getting creative with your catering or ordering enough for delivery.
This is where things can get tricky, as you’ll need to make sure there’s something for everyone. An excellent way to do this is by offering both savory and sweet options and vegan and non-vegan options. That way, everyone will be able to find something they can enjoy.
For your online guests, find creative ways to have them participate. Send them care packages, food delivery, or organize an online potluck.
If coordinating food for your online participants is too challenging, offer them a gift card instead.
To keep things festive and to promote engagement, you could have a contest for the best-dressed holiday Zoom background or host a virtual gingerbread house decorating party instead. The broadband’s the limit!
5. Send Out invitations
Once you have all the logistics sorted out, it’s time to send out invitations! Send out invitations early, so everyone has plenty of time to plan accordingly. And don’t forget to include the virtual link for those who will be attending online!
Whether you’re sending physical invitations or emailing them out, be sure to include all the important details, like the date, time, location, and any other relevant information your guests will need to know. You should also include links to any platforms you’ll be using for the online portion of the party so people can test them out ahead of time.
How to Host a Hybrid Christmas Party for Your Office
Here are some tips on how to make your hybrid party a success and just as fun (if not more so!) than a traditional party!
1. Plan activities everyone can enjoy – no matter where they’re attending. This could include Secret Santa, gingerbread house decorating, or an ugly sweater contest.
2. Consider doing a virtual wine tasting or online team-building activity as part of your party. This is a great way to add some excitement for those attending virtually.
3. Be sure to have a backup plan if weather or other unforeseen circumstances prevent some employees from attending in person.
4. Most importantly, have fun! This is supposed to be a festive occasion, after all. By following these tips, you’re sure to throw a successful hybrid Christmas party that everyone will remember fondly.
Looking for virtual Christmas party ideas? Check out our post on the top 25 virtual holiday party ideas and themes.
A hybrid Christmas party is the perfect way to celebrate with your team this holiday season! By following these simple tips, you can easily plan an event that everyone will enjoy, no matter where they’re located. So get planning and get ready for the ultimate office holiday celebration!
