October 18, 2024
Planning corporate holiday entertainment can feel like a balancing act.
On one side, you want your employees to have a great time. On the other hand, you have to maintain a certain level of professionalism to prevent embarrassing missteps.
The thing is…
Nailing this balance is easier said than done. And when you do get it right, corporate holiday entertainment suddenly goes from "nice to have" to "mission critical" in employee morale building.
Ok, let's talk a little bit about why this stuff is important.
Holiday entertainment at work isn't just about partying. It's about forging connections between team members and creating lasting memories.
Swoogo cites that 85% of organisations leverage team-building exercises, such as games and activities, to promote collaboration and foster higher morale among employees.
Corporate entertainment that encourages interaction can be a major boon.
So when people build shared experiences and memories outside their day-to-day work environment, something special happens.
Barriers come down.
Conversation flows more easily.
People really get to know each other.
The best companies get this. That's why many organisations now host a private benefit concert or other non-traditional, experience-based corporate entertainment options.
Fun stuff that brings your team together and makes the world a better place at the same time? Yes, please.
Professional, boundary-respecting entertainment that also fosters meaningful interaction is possible.
You just have to know where to look.
Before we get to that, let's look at the landscape we're working with.
Holiday party options today look a lot different than they did a decade ago.
According to a Harris Poll survey, only 48% of US workplaces hold regular, annual, in-person holiday parties. That's a massive drop from 90% in 2007.
What's more…
Businesses aren't cancelling festivities altogether, they're just doing them in new ways.
Workplace entertainment trends now trend toward:
Millennial and Gen-Z workers in particular are clamouring for more meaningful celebrations that emphasise connection over binge drinking.
The good news? This makes solving the "fun vs. professionalism" equation a whole lot easier.
Ok, now for the main course. Here are six different types of corporate holiday entertainment options that deliver REAL fun without crossing professional lines.
One of the most classic corporate holiday entertainment ideas out there for good reason.
Live music, be it a jazz trio, acoustic guitarist, or full band, instantly creates a welcoming environment that brings people together and gets them mingling naturally.
The key is to pick the right style for your company's culture. High-energy modern pop covers might work for a Silicon Valley startup, while a classical ensemble might be more appropriate for law firms.
Corporate game shows have become a huge trend in recent years. No surprise, either.
This is hands-down some of the most fun corporate entertainment you can find.
Game shows are inherently inclusive, engaging, and competitive without being stressful. Guests always have something to talk about beyond work projects.
Options include trivia nights, team challenges, and interactive games built around your specific industry or company values. The energy is always high and participation is universal.
You know those giant photo booths at the mall? They're still a thing, but today's photo experiences are much more interactive and shareable.
Expect to see options like green screen studios, digital photo props, social media sharing, and even immersive 360-degree video photo booths that record a fully interactive video message your guests can share on their phones.
Not only do these provide a fun activity for your guests, they create lasting memories and digital keepsakes they can take home.
Bonus: They also serve as free marketing for your brand when people share them on social media.
Interactive food and beverage stations like cooking classes or DIY mocktail bars are incredibly popular with corporate events today.
Hands-on culinary experiences not only give attendees a shared activity and conversation starter, but also work with dietary restrictions and alcohol preferences better than sit-down meals.
Think pasta-making classes, sushi rolling workshops, or fun stations where guests can learn to mix their own signature cocktails/mocktails with the help of a professional bartender.
One of the quickest ways to keep your holiday party both fun and professional.
A skilled corporate comedian will know exactly how to read the room and keep things in bounds without cutting corners on laughs.
Shared laughter and good humour is a powerful team-builder, and everyone leaves in a good mood.
Just make sure to do your homework. Vet your comedian carefully and check references from other corporate clients before booking.
Want to give your corporate entertainment an added meaningful dimension?
Look into ways to incorporate a charitable element into your celebration.
Options can include organising a toy or clothing drive for a local shelter, holding a charity auction, or even including a volunteer activity as part of your event.
Focus on positive giving and celebration. Rather than emphasising consumption, your guests can enjoy a party while making the world a better place.
The mistake most companies make is planning a vanilla event no one will enjoy in an effort to avoid problems.
Professional ≠ Boring. Professional = Thoughtful.
Set the right expectations. Be clear on dress code, timing, and overall tone before the event. The more people know what to expect, the less anxious they'll be.
Manage alcohol carefully. Don't feel the need to eliminate it entirely. But make sure you have quality mocktails, portion control (if open bar), and plenty of food on hand to mitigate drinking problems.
Create different zones. Allow for different activity areas so introverts have space to chill if they need it. The more extroverted can dance or play games if they want, but people can still have a conversation without feeling pressure to join in.
End at a decent hour. Late-night incidents tend to be the rule at corporate holiday parties. Set a firm end time and enforce it.
Don't try to keep costs down by skimping on your most important event components.
Corporate holiday entertainment can be done on a budget.
Simply be smart about where you put your money. Would your team rather spend their entertainment dollars on higher-quality food and drink? A small DJ instead of an A-list celebrity? Shorter high-end guest entertainment instead of one long experience?
Poll your team first. You may be surprised at what your employees actually care about most.
The best part?
Many of the most engaging corporate entertainment options are some of the most budget-friendly.
Trivia night runs at a fraction of the cost of a live band. But if run right, can be equally fun and engaging.
Corporate holiday entertainment comes down to shared experiences that build your team.
The most successful companies aren't asking "fun or professional entertainment?". They're asking, "What entertainment naturally ticks both these boxes for our team?"
They think about their unique company culture, set appropriate boundaries, and then let employees simply enjoy each other.
Let's face it…
The days of over-the-top, boundary-pushing corporate shindigs may be over. But celebrations and office parties themselves aren't going anywhere.
They're just evolving into more meaningful, thoughtful, and inclusive celebrations.
Start the planning process early. Get input from your team. Choose entertainment options that fit who you are as a team and as a brand.
That's how to throw a holiday celebration that people will actually remember for the right reasons.
It's much more than just a party. It serves as a powerful tool for building team morale, fostering genuine connections between colleagues, and creating positive shared memories that can improve workplace collaboration and culture.
Think about interactive experiences that get people talking. Options like live music, a corporate game show, a high-tech photo booth, a cooking or mocktail-making class, or a professional comedian are excellent for striking the right balance between enjoyment and professionalism.
Professionalism comes from thoughtful planning, not from being dull. You can create a great atmosphere by setting clear expectations on the dress code and tone, managing alcohol consumption carefully, providing different activity zones for introverts and extroverts, and having a clear end time.
No, the trend has shifted significantly. Many companies now prefer smaller, more meaningful gatherings that focus on shared experiences rather than extravagant dinners. This shift makes it easier to plan an event that is both enjoyable and budget-friendly.
Inclusivity can be built into your planning. Offer a wide range of non-alcoholic drink options, cater to various dietary needs, and choose activities that don't centre around alcohol. Creating different 'zones' also allows people to socialise in a way that feels comfortable for them.