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!

We've got an evening one! 8-10! With Secret Santa... I might have a bath instead

Taskmaster inspired team games?

www.onlinescoutmanager.co.uk/programme.php?action=view&id=57209

avalonuk.com/2020/03/25/entertained-at-home-new-online-ideas-from-comedians-to-help-with-the-lockdown-boredom-and-the-best-on-demand-stand-up-and-tv-comedy/

[quote Rhubarbcrumblerules]Taskmaster inspired team games?

www.onlinescoutmanager.co.uk/programme.php?action=view&id=57209

avalonuk.com/2020/03/25/entertained-at-home-new-online-ideas-from-comedians-to-help-with-the-lockdown-boredom-and-the-best-on-demand-stand-up-and-tv-comedy/[/quote]
Nononononoooooo

Why not?

@JoeCalFuckingZaghe

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

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

Agree with this. We are having one this year but I don't think I am going to go, it is nothing like a normal Christmas party.

People need to understand that many people don't enjoy zoom parties and it is not about being bah humbug.

I also hate quizzes full stop!

Cheese/chocolate tasting?

@jimmyhill

Geez just spare people the misery and give them two hours off instead.

Lmao.

We are (as advice says) mostly working from home as it is possible, but the office remains open. I think anyone with such an unstable internet connection they can't join at all would be asked to work from the office from the following day and thereafter! As ours is during the working day (apart from the last half hour) then people are expected to go.

We have 5 teams of 3 and each team is hosting a game. We have Name that film, a treasure hunt, Charades, Pictionary and anagrams
All wearing Xmas jumpers etc. and eating and drinking party food whilst on. Should be more fun than my usual afternoons work!! Just go with it. The enthusiastic ones will make up for the less enthusiastic! 🥳

Can the people who voted yes to the event be given the job of organising? If that was you what did you think would happen?

@ellentree

We are (as advice says) mostly working from home as it is possible, but the office remains open. I think anyone with such an unstable internet connection they can't join at all would be asked to work from the office from the following day and thereafter! As ours is during the working day (apart from the last half hour) then people are expected to go.

Why not just give people the time off instead? Or at least make it optional?

I am so glad I'm self employed

On line scavenger hunt, that’s what our work is doing 2 hours during the day, they send refreshments to your house. You don’t need to participate but if you don’t you need to be working.
I am happy to take a little fun where I can get it. What a shame loads of people on here are so scornful of a good workplace trying to do something for their staff.
A friend of mine is a CEO and is doing an online cocktail making class for their staff and all the ingredients are sent to their house. Also brilliant idea.

My firm is full of people who love a party, and our holiday bash is always a big deal and nobody ever misses it. I spend quite a bit and make sure we have a theme and people get right into it. This year several begged me to do one, albeit virtual. I've struggled to come up with actual fun. Have already done very successful scavenger hunt and quizzes. Finally settled on cocktail kits sent out and bartender shows how to mix, then a drinks quiz. Next will be team Name that tune. If you name it, your team must sing it. Then just chat for the survivors.

It is hard! I'm nervous about this one.

The person who said give people two hours off had the best idea.

God yes, they will far appreciate half a day off or an early clock off than a horrid zoom party.

@vanillandhoney the company isn't big and knowing each other and having connections is important too to the business operating successfully. This is just one small way to connect people.

We have also had monthly lunch calls which are optional (with a couple of exceptions for critical business updates) and most people attend.

For me, I don't see the point, but I can see how someone who lives alone might enjoy a little distraction, even if it's only over Zoom...

I live alone. I do not deserve to have such a cruel and unusual punishment as these zoom "party" ideas inflicted upon me as a result.

Ilikeamillpond the booze is the cocktail kit and also wine or Prosecco. They are also doing karaoke.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas- particularly the Mcmillian games night links. Today is the planning day - I've got a lot more ideas than I had yesterday (which was basically zero ).

We are one of those teams that want to get together - and I just want it to be fun! We might no.run to 2 hours but hey ho.

gamesnight.macmillan.org.uk/

OP, you say "we", but have you done a genuine poll - i.e. people can truly choose not to attend? I really doubt every person in the team wants this - and I think these things will actually lower morale in those who don't want it.

Has anyone signed up to Macmillan with the games?
We have a blind member of staff so need games which she can take part in. How is the information shared is it web based, visual or PDFs?

I'd be interested to know more about the Macmillan games. My book group has kept meeting virtually and we are planning to try and hold our usual christmas meal/party on line. Of course a zoom event is not as good as the real thing but it is better than nothing and I think it is important to try and keep up our connections through this.

Good luck OP, don't let the responses on this thread get you too down, I think most people will participate in the spirit it is intended - I know I would.

If it's absolutely unavoidable, what about sending out meal kits, so everyone meets at, say, 1pm and shows off (very quickly) what they made, and then eats it? Meanwhile have one reasonably funny person to give a 5-minute summary of the year in the company, followed by a few awards (things like "best dog appearance in Zoom meeting") for 5 more minutes. Then maybe a 10-15 minute quiz (or you could do rounds like "Who can name the most countries?" or "Who can name everyone's pets?"). That should take you up to 45 minutes or so (by the time everyone gets connected to the chat), and anyone who just wants to sit quietly can do so. No enforced participation.

Or do something like "taskmaster" where you say "build a tower from 4 forks, 4 spoons and 4 knives, tallest tower after 5 minutes wins". Again, people who don't want to take part can just sit quietly off screen and then pretend their tower collapsed.

I mean, it all sounds fairly awful, but if you send everyone a bottle of wine and hamper of food beforehand, and keep it to 2 hours during work time, it might be fun?

If you have to do it (and I'd recommend not) then a scavenger hunt is good as @BettysSpaghetti said. I saw one which was first to post with 4 pics from your house of 1. A triangle. 2. Dragon. 3. Something yellow. 4. An animal.

Work have done a few events, personally I hate the ones where they are organised, e.g. have a theme like wear a certain colour top or wear reindeer ears or have a quiz and after feeling forced to go to the first one I don't attend now.

The best one is just done by my boss - it's an hour at the end of the day once a month, you can turn up or not, camera on or not, you can bring your own drink or not, speak or keep quiet and we just chat. But that wouldn't work if there are loads of your.

We've been given two days off work (school) as a goodwill gesture. I'd get rather that than organised fun...but if it must be organised fun then scavenger hunts or bingo would be my choice. End of the day so they can have a drink to get them through it.