Cringe-worthy karaoke and awkward situations – this seems to be the main theme of the average Christmas party in many offices. Unsurprisingly, a 2021 survey found that 1 in 10 Brits would rather avoid attending Christmas party activities because they didn’t want to embarrass themselves, and in many cases, alcohol is to blame.
But something is changing: UK businesses are moving away from the traditional office Christmas party and replacing boozy ‘dos with more inclusive celebrations. For this article, we surveyed 70 companies to find out how they’re innovating and switching from office parties with a booze-fuelled format to something genuinely enjoyable for everybody.
Let’s take a look at the findings of this survey – you might find some interesting ideas on how to plan this year’s Christmas party.
The shift towards more inclusive holiday celebrations
The main issue with celebrations that centre around alcohol is that some employees feel left out. Gen Z, which will soon account for 30% of the workforce, are known for consuming less alcohol than Millennials, and many don’t drink at all. Also, with London being such a diverse city, it’s very likely that almost every office will have someone from a different cultural background.
This is why many businesses now opt for alcohol-free gatherings during the festive period. As some of our respondents said when asked about their alternative Christmas event ideas, there’s no need to force outdated traditions. And when events align with employees’ values, engagement naturally follows. At the end of the day, people choose what speaks to them. So, read on to learn about some of the more inclusive and non-traditional work Christmas party ideas that are gaining traction in workplaces across industries.
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