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Social Christmassing: Christmas all wrapped up (and in a box!)

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Social Christmassing: Christmas all wrapped up (and in a box!)

Social Christmassing (AKA socially distanced Christmas parties) are THE thing this year. From virtual drinks on video conferencing platforms to a Christmas party in a box, some of the most resourceful events companies will take this opportunity to dazzle us with their creativity.

It won’t be the end of the world not seeing your colleagues Christmas jumper dusted off again for the 8th year running but the tradition of the Christmas party can still be cherished and celebrated in another way. After all, for many it’s their only thanks for the years’ effort and a well earned chance to cut loose.

So, save yourself the hangover and cringing fuzzy memories of slut dropping Dwayne from Accounts this year.  Let’s turn tradition on its head and plan a Christmas party with a difference …

What could your team Christmas look like this year? 

There have been lots of great event ideas circulating this year already (resource links below). Online escape rooms seem a really popular choice. Virtual bake-offs and racing evenings by professionals or buy our own subscription offerings are all popping up on social feeds. Comedy nights and magic performances where once you would have sat in a club now you can watch from the comfort of your own sofa, thanks to this crazy year we have just experienced. Receiving hampers to your door, online Christmas parties with music in your living room, Christmas music playlists and fancy-dress virtual drinks and/or karaoke are also proving popular options.

To go along with the entertainment, there’s subscription drinks boxes or virtual wine tasting and cocktail making masterclasses with ingredients posted to your home to inject some Christmas spirit into proceedings. Why not consider staff gift vouchers for a meal out at a later date if this approach doesn’t fit with your companies’ normal approach?

 

Virtual Christmas lunch

The team Christmas lunch is always a cracker. This year arrange your lunch online and use these great tips to add a little festive sparkle to the event.

  • Send a festive nibble pack
  • Get your colleagues to wear their usual Christmas jumpers / onesies and make sure the competitions for best and ugliest have a gift voucher prize
  • Arrange a food hamper ‘Christmas lunch fun in a box’ with Christmas crackers and festive goodies, delivered to their door on your Christmas party day
  • Create the right atmosphere with a few surprises; family Santa visitors or elves
  • Film an alternative Queens speech to send to your team / clients

 

Re-create that festive feeling

It’s hard to get that same feeling online, but changing things up this year could really make the difference and cement bonds. After all, if you always do the same thing you will always get the same outcome.

  • Recording your own Christmas message for a colleague(s) will definitely help generate that much needed warm fuzzy feeling
  • Share a personal reflection about them
  • Impart a piece of advice that they gave you this year which may have helped you in some way

 

Christmas traditions at the click of a button

With the click of a mouse,  some of your Christmas favourites can still feature at your party or during the Christmas month.

 

Do for others as you would do for yourself

If this year the Christmas party isn’t the top priority for your team why not make a charity donation to buy a meal for someone else, there are many to choose from …

Shelter, The Salvation Army, CrisisStreetlink.  Alternatively consider donating to foodbanks or local charities or simply spread a little festive cheer by visiting an older person on their own.

 

Online events and Christmas parties resource ideas

Here are just a few we stumbled across, there are lots more out there to discover. It’s not too late  …

 

Have a magical Christmas whatever you get up to this year. 

Love, Team Alive

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Thank you again for all the work you have done with us!”

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Georgia Beech — Internal Communications Specialist, Ocado Group

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Sarah Wright, Head of Communications and Campaigns — NEA

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Alana Khaytin, Communications Specialist — Braskem America

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Sara Langston, Patient Engagement & Marketing Manager — italk

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Steph Tranter, Hybrid Exec Coach & Psychologist — StephTranter.com

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Alexander Mills, Communications Manager — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

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Jack Grasby — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

“The (Alive) team were able to creatively pull together and document (in just over 2minutes) everything our service has achieved over the last few months, from thousands of prescriptions deliveries to hundreds of phone calls made to the vulnerable. The final product was so powerful and reflective of what our service has and continues to achieve. It couldn’t have been better received within the service – thanks Alive for once again helping us to communicate our vision!’”

Emma Wright — South Yorkshire & Rescue

“We worked with the team at Alive to create our staff recognition video.
At a time like this, its never been more important to share the amazing work that our staff have done and continue to do on a daily basis under very difficult circumstances. We wanted to shout about this and recognise that when the time came, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue stepped up to the plate. We didn’t want an ordinary thank you post on social media or a basic email sent out internally, we wanted something special. Enter Alive. ”

Emma Wright — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

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Jack Ford, Head of Marketing — streamGO

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Keren McCarron, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications — KP Snacks

“Boom!
Thank you so much. Incredible work done at incredible speed by incredible people.
Outstanding work as ever and what a turnaround. As for the concepts – wow. These are that good it would be an insult to describe them as just good. It’s a joke, quite frankly. This is exactly the Alive effect I was after. Right now I feel like I am living in an Alive With Ideas wonderland. Thank you!”

Jack Grasby, Campaigns Manager — SYFR

“If you are looking to improve creativity and build teamwork, I highly recommend a session like this for your team. No matter where you are in your creativity journey, a workshop like this can give your team a boost of energy and ideas to invigorate their creative thinking.”

Amy Lilja, IC Manager — Hennepin Healthcare

“Alive were there to help when we were working every hour to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. They gave us the creativity, ideas and support we needed to deliver campaigns which empowered our residents in the most difficult time most of us have ever seen, personally and professionally. The team understood what we needed, worked closely with us and delivered fast without any compromise on quality. Working with Alive has been a joy in the darkest of times and I have no doubt will have helped to save lives. Thanks team x”

Julie Odams, Assistant Director of Communications & Customers — Derbyshire County Council

“We got 'Alive' involved to help us shift mindsets across our organisation and they delivered! Using simple, clear and creative ideas the team have delivered us a campaign which has seen a dramatic increase in idea sharing and development. They’ve also played a significant role in creating a culture of shared success. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with again, in fact, we already are!”

Gavin Buckle — B&Q
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