It’s that time of year again! Time to break out those ugly sweaters and do some office team building activities! Whether it’s an office bake-off or a decorating challenge, see how your company can get into the holiday spirit this season!
Most companies have an annual holiday party which is fun for all but can feel drab when you do the same thing every year. For an alternative holiday occasion that’s sure to leave everyone happy and full of cheer, you may instead want to try a team-building activity or event. Not only will this provide some much-needed variation to your holiday routine, but it will make the office a happier, more collaborative environment! Here’s a holiday sampling of ideas to get started.
An Office-Wide Competition
Whether or not you’re a fan of a competitive workplace, surely, you’re a fan of baked goods and holiday décor? Organize a contest throughout the office building that will simultaneously get everyone in the holiday spirit as well as bring employees together as they work to beat other teams. Teams can be organized by department, project, or even randomly to introduce new people to each other. Try a cookie baking contest, or a cubicle decorating competition. Both will bring seasonal cheer as well as providing something everyone can enjoy. You can also take the time to recognize employees that have shown their impact all year long. Each holiday, re:fab gives out the Richard A. Perry award to a deserving employee, in honor of the owner, Dave Moura’s, late father-in-law. Mr. Perry was always one to go the extra mile, a great example for all employees!
Be sure to pick a great prize for the winners that will motivate everyone to put effort into the contest. The more effort people put in, the more rewarding the experience will be for everyone who takes part.
Escape the Room
Escape the Room is a fun, exciting team-building experience that has really caught on in the last couple of years. Your group enters the enclosed area and has a time limit within which you try to escape the room. Clues, red herrings, and puzzles will abound as your office puts their thinking caps on to get out together. You’ll learn a lot, get practice working together in a non-traditional environment, and most importantly, have a great time! Because of the recent surge in popularity, many great options are likely available in your area. You may even be able to find a holiday-themed escape room!
Attend a Mixology Lesson, or Host One In-House
The holidays, although a time for love and joy, can easily get very stressful. Sick of the usual brews? Take the team out to a mixology lesson, where they can learn to pour out their own delicacies. This exciting event will shake up your usual holiday function (pun fully intended) while also providing a great chance for everybody to unwind. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of the office, find someone to run a lesson in your building after hours. Trust us; your staff will appreciate nice cocktails much more than the usual potluck.
Plan a Gag Gift Exchange
Everyone’s done the usual Secret Santa, but a gag gift exchange can make for a much more interesting night. See what hilarious things your employees can find and, even better, watch the reactions of their amused recipients! A gag gift exchange makes for a night of laughter and fun, plus everyone gets to take home something truly unique afterward. These types of gift exchanges are also nice because no one feels obligated to spend much money, and shoppers don’t need to stress on finding a quality gift.
Volunteer as a Group
One of the most wholesome ways your company can celebrate the holiday season is to go out and volunteer together. Working as a group will help build stronger bonds throughout your team, while still having fun in a more relaxed environment. Plus, you get the rewarding feeling of knowing you made a difference in your community. Here at re:fab, we’ve partnered with Homes For Our Troops and GROW Education.
We also are heavily involved in our local community of New Bedford. We plan to “adopt” classrooms in deserving, underfunded elementary schools in our area, giving out gift bags of coloring books, crayons, stickers, games, and more. In past years, we’ve provided teachers of these low-funded schools with items on their “Wish Lists,” giving them the tools they need for more effective interactions with their students. Items like bean bag chairs, whiteboards, classroom supplies, and books, made a significantly positive impact on the teachers and students, ensuring them that the community is there for them.
re:fab has already spent time this season making marks on local schools. In recent years, New Bedford High School has experienced a significant decrease in enrollment due to the “school of choice” option that has been put in place. In hopes to promote New Bedford pride, and encourage students to consider and attend New Bedford High School, re:fab donated New Bedford Whalers sweatshirts to the entirety of Keith Middle School-a total of 949 sweatshirts! We hope our efforts will make an impact on enrollment on a local school we take pride in. Too learn more about all that we do, on and off the job site visit our website here!
Just like our local schools are close to our heart, seek out a charity that means something to you and your employees, and do something meaningful with your holiday event!
Don’t make your employees sit through another year of old Christmas tunes and stale cake. Make this year one to remember!
From our family to yours, re:fab wishes you a happy and healthy holiday!
