The Christmas party is an important event for companies of all sizes. It’s a time to celebrate the successes of the past year and to get together with colleagues to enjoy some festive cheer. But for smaller groups, finding ideas that suit a budget can be tricky. But before you go cancelling your Christmas party altogether, consider this – the annual Xmas party can actually play a vital role in shaping your workplace culture for the year ahead. Here’s why:
Studies show that Christmas parties are essential for team bonding and fostering a positive work culture. They help to improve communication and relationships between colleagues and can even increase productivity in the workplace. According to a recent study, millennials are more likely than any other generation to say that their Christmas party is the most important social event of the year. Christmas parties provide an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level and build relationships that can last long after the holiday season.
For smaller groups this couldn’t be more important because the success of the business is in the hands of so few. We also understand that with smaller teams often comes a smaller budget… its only common sense right?! Enter Christmas team building…..
When we think about the cliché office Christmas party it usually involves an awkward Secret Santa gift exchange, Christmas jumpers and an overindulgence of Christmas pudding. But the truth is, Christmas parties can be whatever you make of them. Christmas team building is the perfect way to get your team bonding and celebrating together, without blowing the budget.
Participating in a team building activity for your Christmas party will not only get everyone in the festive spirit but can also provide a range of benefits for your business. Team building helps to improve communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills within a group. It also encourages creativity, builds trust and boosts morale. And let’s be honest, who couldn’t do with a little boost at this time of year!
There are loads of activities that can be done as part of a Christmas team building exercise, but we have done the due diligence for you and hand selected five festive team building favourites tailored to a small team dynamic:
01
Win it in a christmas minute
Overview:
It’s Christmas time and it’s time to celebrate the festive season with a little friendly competition. Tasked with completing a series of short and sweet games, teams will need to dig deep and use skills they didn’t even know they had if they want to become the Christmas champions! Does your team have what it takes to Win it in a Christmas Minute?
Outcomes:
Interaction, fun, competition, delegation, socialising, and quick thinking.
Why:
Win it in a Christmas Minute is a great team building program to stage with a traditional Christmas dinner as challenges can be delivered in between menu courses to keep your audience entertained. It is also just as effective as a stand-alone team event.
Schedule it:
Allow approximately 1 – 3 hours for this program, and it works well at any time during the day or evening as a social event.
Budget:
Low
02
Hunt for Santas Sleigh
Overview:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Santa is gearing up to deliver toys to millions of children around the world… But oh no! Santa’s sleigh has gone missing! Embrace the spirit of Christmas and take part in the epic adventure that is ‘Hunt for Santa’s Sleigh’. Is your team up to the challenge of locating the missing sleigh so Santa can deliver all the presents on time?
Outcomes:
Planning, time management, budgeting, strategy, communication, team work, and local knowledge.
Why:
If you would like your team to have a fun, outdoor adventure on minimal budget, then Hunt for Santa’s Sleigh is the answer.
Schedule it:
This event can be tailored for a duration of 2 – 4 hours in a few blocks, a venue or throughout an entire city
Budget:
Low.
03
Christmas Cluedo
Overview:
This just in! Toys have been mysteriously disappearing from across the North Pole, threatening to ruin Christmas for thousands of good little boys and girls. With Christmas right around the corner, Santa has called in your team of detectives to help solve the mystery of the disappearing toys. Can your team sift through the evidence and decipher the clues to catch the mysterious toy thieves just in time to save Christmas?
Outcomes:
Information interpretation, problem solving, time management, lateral thinking, fun and teamwork.
Why:
Christmas Cluedo is a fast paced problem-solving focused program that can be held indoors and outdoors and will test teams in time management, interpretation, lateral thinking and team work. If your team loves a mystery or needs to develop their team work in the area of problem solving then this is the program for you.
Schedule it:
Allow approximately 1 – 3 hours for this program indoors or outdoors.
Budget:
Low.
04
Lego Legends
Overview:
Your imagination is your only limit in this rewarding program. Unleash your inner child and unlock your creative flair as you work together to build the best LEGO structure in your group. The playful spin on this program transforms to heart-warming when the finished models are donated to a children’s charity of choice.
Outcomes:
Planning, time management, fun, strategy, communication, social responsibility and team work.
Why:
This one is a win-win! Not only do you get all the wonderful benefits that come with doing a team building event, but you also get all the powerful feelings that come with giving back to those who need it most.
Schedule it:
This event can be tailored for a duration of 2 – 4 hours indoors or outdoors with flat space.
Budget:
Medium.
05
Santa for a Day
Overview:
Help us save Christmas! Your mission for this unique and worthwhile program, is to fill your Santa Sack so that it is overflowing. This task may seem simple, but with a limited budget and strict time constraints, you will need to use all your worldly skills to come out on top!
Armed with a wish list from a child on Santa’s nice list you will need to stretch your limited budget to the limits and beyond to make a child’s dreams come true.
Outcomes:
Planning, time management, fun, strategy, communication, social responsibility and team work.
Why:
Once the scores have been added up and a winning team announced, a local charity will arrive as it is revealed that participants really are playing Santa. All gifts that have been purchased and collected will be given to those who truly deserve it, just in time to make it a Christmas they will never forget.
Schedule it:
This event can be tailored for a duration of 2 – 4 hours in a few blocks or throughout an entire city.
Budget:
Medium.
There you have it! So why not ditch the formal sit-down dinner and opt for a fun and interactive team building activity instead. Always guaranteed to provide a lot of laughs and some good stories to tell over the coming weeks at various parties and gatherings, team building is a great way to get the whole team involved without blowing the budget! We hope these tips have given you some inspiration for your Christmas party planning. If you need any more help, our team of event experts would be more than happy to chat with you about your specific needs. Just give us a call or send us an email and we’ll be in touch!
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