The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many drastic changes. Many people have spent a month or two sheltering-in-place. Some have been working or studying from home. Curfews have been imposed. Businesses have been operating in a limited capacity. And people have been asked to observe health protocols like frequent hand-washing, wearing a face mask, and social distancing.
The pandemic has also affected how businesses celebrate company events, with many events shelved this year. Hopefully, it won’t be the same for Christmas because there are many ways companies can still celebrate the occasion with their employees amid the pandemic. If you own a business, take a look at some of them below.
Celebrate your Christmas party online
Just because you’re choosing not to have a physical company party doesn’t mean you and your team can no longer celebrate Christmas together. Bring your celebration online. You’re probably already using video conferencing apps in your business operations, so you won’t have a difficult time setting up your online Christmas party. Catch up with everyone on your team and eat just like you would if you had the party in the office.
To make the celebration more fun, you can also play games, such as the classics Bring Me and Simon Says, online and give away cash prizes. Plus, you can get a virtual photo booth as well, not only to mark this extraordinary company Christmas party but also to generate fun social media content for your business.
Give your team amazing gifts
Chances are, the pandemic has already taken a toll on your team. Try to lift everyone’s spirits this holiday season by giving them amazing gifts. Observe your staff or even casually ask them what they still need for work or what they like doing during their free time. If they’re working from home, for example, they could certainly use high-quality noise-canceling headsets, so they would be able to focus better on their work.
Maybe they seem sluggish every morning because they couldn’t get their office coffee fix anymore. Why not give them a single-serving coffee maker? For the more personal gifts, you’ll probably have to get each employee a different present. For instance, if one is into baking, a set of silicone measuring cups and a marble rolling pin are great gift ideas. An employee who loves basketball will surely appreciate the latest sneakers of his favorite player.
Be a compassionate boss
Sometimes, however, the best way to celebrate Christmas is not by throwing parties or giving gifts. It’s by being compassionate to other people. And this is especially important during this time of the pandemic when almost everyone goes through a rough patch. For one, try boosting your team’s morale by showing your appreciation.
Thank them at the end of each workday for all the hard work they’ve done. If they have problems—either professional or personal—talk to them and do whatever you can to help them out. You should also put their concerns about your company’s future to rest by assuring them that the company has no plans of laying people off or closing down. And if things take a turn for the worse, promise them that they will be the first to know and will be given enough time to prepare for any unfortunate eventuality.
Celebrate Christmas amid the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many drastic changes. This includes how businesses celebrate events, and the coming Christmas won’t likely be an exception. However, there are still ways companies can celebrate this special occasion. If you’re a business owner, celebrate Christmas with your team by taking the party online, giving everyone great gifts, and being compassionate.
