Every year - and it feels like every year a little earlier - we are confronted with an armada of gingerbread, advent calendars and all sorts of other confectionery industry gimmicks when we go shopping. And at the latest when our love-hate relationship with the Wham hit “Last Christmas” flaresup on the radio or streaming platform, we know it's that time of the year:
Contemplation meets stress. Social phobias meet illustrious Christmas market gatherings. Mulled winemeets liver. Emancipation meets Christmas baking. Clammy wallets meet shopping frenzy.
And in companies, the end of the year meets Christmas cards, Advent happenings and the question: Christmas party yes or no?
Beware: In the best-case scenario, this question is already addressed around Easter, but that's another topic.
The main issue here is whether the company Christmas party is an outdated relic that can be safely discarded in Marie-Condo-terms or whether it is a tradition that should be retained.
From an event planner's point of view, the answer is easy: Christmas parties are fabulous and organizing and implementing the mis like unwrapping presents under the Christmas tree - warm lights everywhere, a cosy atmosphere, beaming faces, glowingcheeks, winter home cooking soul food and delicious red wines (because who pays attention to calories in December, that's what January is for.... ), kitschy decorations, festive dress code and verification of the love-hate relationship with “Last Christmas” à la “Ok, yes, I know I said I hate the song, but I love dancing to it...”!
And from an entrepreneur's and boss's point of view, too, to be honest. Not only being able to experience all of the above yourself, but also being able to “give” it to your employees is worth every euro you had to work for in the months beforehand. Because there's no question that, in the event that the financial year was perhaps not so brilliant, a Christmas party like this is a costchallenge, even taking into account all tax-deductible expenses, because you don't really have anything to give away. But it is also an investment. In the here and now, but especially in the new financial year, in the working atmosphere, in the team structure, in the motivation, commitment, in the heart and passion of the employees for the extra mile(s) in the job, which as an employer - no matter how big or small a company is - you always want in your vision boards and business coaching sessions.
It's not so important that you throw the biggest party of all time. In our opinion, it shouldn't be about the prize of the most glamorous party in the industry or getting as many likes as possible on Instagram and/or LinkedIn, but about expressing appreciation and gratitude, experiencing shared, warm encounters and moments, feeling joy, being approachable and - as is always particularly important to us - authenticity.
If you've either unexpectedly found yourself in the Christmas party mood but haven't got anything, nada, nothing lined up yet, or perhaps you still need a bit of unique snowflake magic on your planning tree, don't hesitate to get in touch - we're masters in the“last (minute) Christmas” category and know from our own experience that it's never too late to organize a bit of Christmas spirit.
Oh, and to answer the initial question: We are team “It's art and can, no, should stay!”.
Happy early WOWnights!
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