Virtual Christmas party

[KcorRad]

I am planning a virtual Christmas do for my team Normally we would go out for lunch but of course not possible and now I have a few members based in Europe.

I thought I would schedule some time in the work day, ask people to wear Christmas jumpers, or something Christmassy and organise a few activities.

I have seen a you tube tutorial on making a paper Christmas tree - all that is needed is a piece of paper and scissors. Thought we could have a competition by making a tree?

I was thinking of sending (from my own money) a Christmas goody box for them to open. It would contain hot chocolate, a Christmas cracker, some goodies (sweets, snacks). What else could I include?

I was thinking maybe instead of the tree activity I could send some biscuits and tubes of icing and we do a decorated biscuit competition ( maybe bauble biscuits?).

We have done some social activities such as quizzes so just looking for something different to do.

Is this a totally naff idea?

If my team did this I would eat my own head. Nothing enraged me more than enforced jollity. But only you know your team. If you think they’d be up for it, do it.

I think it's a nice idea and am planning something similar for my team. We will be doing a quiz and some games on Jack box. I have bought some Christmas glasses and headbands for them to wear and other bits for goodie bags as you are. I say go for it, most will enjoy it and its a good opportunity to show that you care!

Sorry but no. Nobody wants to do this....unless your team are 6 years old?

Virtual escape room, online murder mystery. Grown up things. What you're suggesting is for children really

I think it's a really nice idea and you sound like a thoughtful boss. It wouldn't go down well in my team because we are a bunch of miserable, cynical hags. But if you think your team would like it then go for it.

I do think sending Christmas packages out to them is really sweet though.

I get people are trying to make the best of things but no, no online quizzes, no online drinks, i hate zoom meetings with a passion but accept they are a necessity. I would make an excuse and send my apologies, sorry.

Just give them a couple of hours off instead!

I would also hate this. It's different if you're in the office, but I hate video calls!!!

I would like it! But I appreciate the effort someone is making to help people connect and celebrate together.

I may actually nick your idea- I've a friendship group doing a Christmas zoom, and we could do something like that.

I think I'd post a hat and a joke out instead, or a cracker, and let them get the drink/treat of their choice.

I would have a short video call to wish them a merry Christmas and give them the afternoon off. You will never please everyone. I have personally had enough of Zoom and Teams meetings.

You know your team best so if they would enjoy something crafty go for it. I know there are a couple of people on my team who would refuse to get involved and would sour it for everyone.

Think about your teams situations before sending a cracker. I live on my own and I think it would embarrass me to get a cracker.

Oh no they will not want to attend a virtual party. If they do they will be doing it out of obligation

I'd dread it and roll my eyes but enjoy on the day

God no.

I would have no internet on that day

The cost of sending what you are planning to Europe would be ridiculous. My DHs team are in Spain Portugal ,Italy and the Netherlands and they all go mad for green and blacks- £5.50 at Tesco at the moment
Give them the afternoon off.

Set up an anonymous survey

Afternoon of zoom games
Afternoon off

Go with the majority

Christmas scavenger hunt - do it in rounds and get people to bring people different items that they might have in their houses. Points for quickest time and also points for most interesting/imaginative.

Pictionary using Teams whiteboard - there’s loads of websites that you can play it on.

I’d send them a little gift pack with consumables and see if they are keen to do something.

I'd rather stab myself in the eye than join in with making xmas trees or biscuits. Agree with PP, give them the afternoon off.

Make it optional, a few hours off for those that don’t want to join in.

I would avoid sending out what might be considered plastic tat, I would not appreciate it and prefer a gift card or box of crocs instead if you insist!

TBH I am sick of Teams calls, I spent about 25 hours on video calls last week. It feels never ending and I would really not want to have to pretend to enjoy a social call rather than have a couple of guilt free hours off!

Oh god. I'd smash my router to get out of this.

@Pringwells

Make it optional, a few hours off for those that don’t want to join in.

I would avoid sending out what might be considered plastic tat, I would not appreciate it and prefer a gift card or box of crocs instead if you insist!

TBH I am sick of Teams calls, I spent about 25 hours on video calls last week. It feels never ending and I would really not want to have to pretend to enjoy a social call rather than have a couple of guilt free hours off!

I don't think you are allowed to ship crocs to the EU, they eat all the parcels on route.

We're having one too. No way out. I don't know where my router is to smash it?

I'm nodding so hard at all the "Nooooo" and "sick of Teams calls" posts. I'm genuinely busy, keeping me talking isn't helping me to do my job, it's stopping me from doing it.

Why do you want to do this, OP? It's just such a non-comparable thing? If I were the boss I'd just say, "You know what, this is just not going to work... we'll have a join-in thing on Teams for those who want to check in and say hello - but we'll pull out all the stops for a hell of a party when all this is over".

I wish my boss would have done this but we're so corporate.