Holiday Parties are Back: How Inclusive is Yours?

The end of the year is a cause for celebration! And it’s important to remember that your annual holiday party is not complete without intentional inclusivity and respect. With Q4 already upon us, your end of year celebration(s) may be in need of some refining, especially if it’s an event that hasn’t been evaluated or revamped for a few years.

Let’s call it a post-pandemic heightened level of awareness, but we are all operating a little differently these days. A lot of positives have come from that, including a greater awareness of individuality and the desire to receive (and give) a greater level of respect for those qualities that make us unique. As you continue leading your organization based on values and a positive employee culture, one thing to keep in mind is how this is reflected in your company parties.

So, how, exactly, do you ensure you will be on the positive end of employee feedback, while also maintaining traditions that are important to your organization? First and foremost, consider compiling a team or committee to help iron out the details. Individuals selected should be detail oriented and excited to be involved in the planning, but they should also be personally diverse and span a variety of departments to ensure that a variety of voices are heard in the planning process.

Naming Your Celebration

Ten years ago, we probably all called our December events “Christmas parties,” but times have changed. A name change is a simple yet effective way to help everyone feel more welcome at an event.

Consider how the term ‘holiday party’ brings with it a certain level of expectations or assumptions surrounding Christmas, especially. Some of our favorites are: Fall Festival, Winter Gala, or simply ‘Company X’s End of Year Celebration’. 

Office & Party Decor 

The next area in planning to evaluate is decor. If your company already owns a tree, or feels strongly about displaying one, consider other decorations you may need to include to help employees who celebrate other holidays feel like they are also being represented.

Another option is adjusting holiday decor to a more neutral aesthetic. Decor that reflects the time of year (think icicles and snowflakes for winter or pumpkins and leaves for fall) is a much more inclusive route to take. You can even make it extra fun with a winter-themed photobooth or photo wall.

Food & Beverages 

Food is an important part of any party, and also an opportunity to bring in a variety of cultures to your event. Potlucks are a fantastic option, encouraging employees to cook something that speaks to their heritage. If you go the catering route, consider gathering a list of favorite dishes from employees and see if the chef will work with you to create an inclusive menu. A holiday party is a fun time to try something new, and what better way to bring people together than with delicious food! (Important: don’t forget to ask about dietary restrictions or allergies)! 

Possibly more important than the food selection, is deciding how you plan to handle alcohol at your event. Will it be served at all? What variety of drinks will you offer besides the standard beer and wine? Will you offer an open bar, or provide a certain number of drink tickets per employee (we recommend this route)? If you do plan to serve alcohol, how will you ensure employees get home safely? Will you cut off when alcohol is being served, provide a ride share option, or have Uber drivers standing by?

There is a lot to consider when thinking through how alcohol could or should factor into your celebration. Be sure to include a variety of non-alcoholic drink options so employees can opt out of drinking alcoholic beverages if they wish. Alcohol consumption (and abstaining from) is a sensitive topic for many, and by including sparkling waters, juices, sodas, fun mocktails, and garnishes you may help to alleviate the unwanted pressure some may feel to drink during the gathering.

There is so much fun to be had at work celebrations that do not revolve around alcohol, so, while eliminating it completely might not be an option that aligns with your company culture, you can take steps to ensure the fun and activities of the night aren’t dependent on it (consider activities such as: a toy drive supporting a local homeless shelter, a Photo Booth, DJ, raffle prizes, phenomenal food, and maybe even some karaoke or ugly sweater contests to keep everyone engaged)!

Choosing an Inclusive Date & Location

The closer you get to the end of the year, the closer a celebration may have a tendency to feel like it is centered around Christmas. It is perfectly fine to celebrate in December, but when scheduling your event be sure to review all religious calendars so it doesn’t land on another holiday you may not be initially aware of. When considering the date, you also want to consider time. Will your event be on a Friday evening? Or on a Saturday afternoon? Will families and children be invited? Or only significant others? Regardless of your choice, it is imperative to give employees as much advance notice as possible considering many may need to find babysitting coverage, or adjust family weekend activities. The last thing you want is for someone to miss out simply because they couldn’t find a sitter in time!

Lastly, consider location. When you host a holiday party on-site, you have a full grasp of accessibility (think wheelchair access, parking, etc). Off-site locations are often more appealing, as employees want to not feel like they are at work during a party, but you need to think about what obstacles may stand in the way of your employees’ ability to attend.

The reality is that large events or gatherings can often cause heightened anxiety for some, so if you can alleviate some of that stress by taking a few extra things into consideration, it will all be worth it.

But, don’t drive yourself crazy with concern over trying to please everyone! These ideas aren’t about making every single employee happy, but about continuing to foster an environment where your staff feels welcomed and included. 

There is more than one way for your organization to celebrate the end of the year, and a little extra intentionality and input goes a long way! Cheers to all the upcoming celebrations, and ending 2023 with inclusivity and togetherness in mind!