Celebrating the holidays is going to be awkward to plan. Preparing for virtual holiday parties is an opportunity to be creative. Here’s how to make it safe and memorable.
COVID-19 has changed a lot about how we interact at work, to put it mildly, and like everything else this year, celebrating the holidays are going to be awkward to plan. The way things are looking, many of us won’t be back in the office in any significant capacity until at least 2021, meaning most of us are preparing for virtual holiday parties this year.
Finding Something to Celebrate
After a year that has brought unprecedented challenges, it can feel a little daunting to find something to cheer about. But the annual company holiday party has always been a great opportunity to regroup and reflect at the end of the year, congratulate each other on accomplishments, and strengthen social bonds with coworkers. It is possibly one of the most relatable and universally recognized celebrations at work aside from anniversaries and birthdays. The pandemic hasn’t changed that.
Immeasurable Contributions
On the contrary, the sentiments from leadership should write themselves this year. There are so many things worth recognizing and celebrating. Whether it’s adjusting to new work-life balances, homeschooling kids while schools are closed, remaining resilient and in some cases risking physical health to keep things together, or volunteering and remaining active in local communities, all employees – essential and otherwise – deserve recognition. In fact, one could argue that their contributions this year are immeasurable and could never be fully repaid. It would benefit everyone to build time to stop and recognize the strength it took to come this far.
