That a work Zoom Christmas party is a really hard thing to organise!

[Laarkawaay]

It is 2 hrs during the day, so I can't fall back on a booze theme. Team of 15 and, yes I can do a quiz, but we can we do a quiz for 2 hours?! AIBU that this is a pretty hard ask? What's everyone else doing for their virual Christmas parties - though I'm not even calling it that as I'm worried it will be even shitter if I do!

Sounds awful and two hours is way too long. I'm on Zoom every day for work and it's exhausting.

You know what, it’s shit beyond belief, but still worth making the effort. People have had a tough year and while some will hate it, others will get something out of having a laugh with colleagues.

Something like w cocktail making class (kit supplied) then bingo/quiz/murder mystery is perfect. Booze plus something to do. Best we can all do in the circs.

We have a double whammy. 3(?) hour meeting in the morning and then another one that evening from 8pm. I have no idea how long that one is going to be. Or what is going to happen in them but I know someone is doing a quiz....

Two hours is not ok. People will mentally check out after 30 mins.
A quiz, quick talk from the CEO, virtual raffle could work.

I've hit the "maybe" button on our course one but I'm definitely only logging on for a brief time if I do it at all - I hate zoom shit.

@ShaunaTheSheep

Dress code (waist up only!) like kitchen disco or Xmas jumper or wig/hat etc

Then a few quick activities

Themed bingo

Paper plate awards - decide categories and get nominations in advance

Baby photos quiz

Make something against the click with a video tutorial eg origami Xmas tree

No, fucking no no no.

No. 😂

Raffle is a great idea

@FudgeBrownie2019 do you have any vacancies.....?

My friend is doing taskmaster. She’s just tried it out and it was great fun (if not totally exhausting).

Stop being so bah humbug everyone!! Op you asked for ideas not for everyone to piss on the fire! We're doing it (small & lovely team fortunately) and are doing:
Pictionary via teams whiteboard
Quiz
Super quick scavenger hunt
And 'name that tune' - like the old show where people 'bid' against each other to name a tune (from a clue) from 10 to 1 then lowest bid gets that number of notes - you need a piano or xylophone to hand tho to play the notes!!

We are doing

gamesnight.macmillan.org.uk/trapped.html

Which seems fun and better than spending money on secret Santa or whatever.

My organisation do quizzes and "fun" social meetups every two weeks; it was weekly initially.
Thankfully mostly on days that I don't work, as is the Christmas one. Have joined three I think, one was OK, the others hell on earth.

I think I read somewhere that HMRC had relaxed rules on using the Christmas Party allowance on gifts, but this article seems to be saying that isn't the case:
www.cipp.org.uk/resources/news/christmas-events-in-2020-tax-and-ni-exemption.html (The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals )

But this article confirms that spending on Virtual Christmas parties is fine:
www.accountingweb.co.uk/tax/business-tax/hmrc-confirms-virtual-christmas-party-exemption

Oh god, no.

Oh, just to add, we've team meetings all morning, serious stuff, then will put on Christmas attire & drink & be merry all afternoon!! Also, managers are providing 'party bags' in advance with vouchers for party food & drink of choice!

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!

In all seriousness, if you think there are some colleagues who are struggling (be it from loneliness/domestic abuse/poor logistics of working from home) please talk to them. Fabricate a reason to get them into the office, if you need to.

Dh and I run our own company. Dh suggested a zoom xmas party, I said no way. Unfortunately last week, a staff member has asked if they can have one, as several others have mentioned it, we are now doing it. It will be only an hour and will involve a quiz, cocktail making and nibbles. (We will send out packages to everyone).

Out of interest, how many of the naysayers go to the Christmas party on a 'normal' year? Surely if you hate socialising with your workmates that much you don't bother?

We're a small close knit team, miss the office, and are doing it because we want to
It's not compulsory!

There’s a vast difference between socialising IRL than a fucking zoom party.

Horrific. Please don’t subject people to 2 hours of this.

God, there's always one or two "fun ones" who think this is a right gas ... and everyone else who silently hates them and just wants the traditional Christmas early off home. People have had such a long 2020, with so many cringeworthy zoom meetings. Just let us go the fuck home. 😂

I go to a normal Christmas do ie meal and drinks.. But I hate forced 'fun' activities and would find it even worse remotely

Fuck that
Are you a manager or just the workplace busy body? I'm sure most people really don't want to do it

Hate forced fun , I think you will have a lot of IT connection issues on that day op .
Forced fun is not fun !!!

We were offered cocktail making or chocolate making with all ingredients supplied by post and a £50 Deliveroo voucher... I'm usually a total Grinch but I think this might actually be ok... maybe better than what's usually on offer...

Dieffen “ then a manager going round each person on zoom asking what special skill they developed during lockdown”

Thank god my manager wouldn’t ask that.

The answer is drinking. I couldn’t have more than the odd one before lockdown. I’m much better at it now.