…Does anybody really want one? Aren’t we all too cold to get dressed up? Can an office Christmas party really compete with a night spent in my Oodie with a hot chocolate and Home Alone? Hmm, is it acceptable to wear my Oodie to the office Christmas party?…
Yes, we know where your mind is at (we, too, have questioned the plausibility of wearing our Oodies in public – daily – and pretended we were asking for a friend) but, regardless of the sumptuously soft and fluffy attire you choose to arrive in, we’re here to tell you that arrive, you must, because office Christmas parties do, indeed, still matter.
Before you try to think yourself out of it, again, let us tell you why…
Feel-good festivities
Firstly, the sheer comparative luxury – after months spent in the bleak, cold, dark wilderness that is winter, do you not deserve the chance to feel a little pampered with indulgent food, a cheeky alcoholic/non-alcoholic tipple [insert joke about the festive spirit here] and, yes, the freedom to sleigh on the dancefloor to a Shakin’ Stevens classic without judgement? We say you do.
Put simply, the office Christmas party is a morale booster – not just to counteract those winter blues, but to show employees the work they’ve put in throughout the year is valued and appreciated. Is it a source of cliché and ridicule? Without doubt. Can it be shamelessly cheesy? Frequently. But, amongst the stress of the daily grind (a stress that only increases, often, the closer it gets to Christmas), is it also something completely separate from the work day put on for no other reason than to give hardworking staff a good time? Absolutely. And they know it.
Community at Christmas
Whether spectacularly stereotypical or a suave and sophisticated affair, the office Christmas party is an unmissable opportunity for team bonding. While this is true of all teams, for teams that work from home it’s particularly important. Of the many upsides of working from home (all hail the spin of the washing machine in the morning instead of the spin of tyres), let’s be honest, connecting with colleagues just isn’t as easy when you’re not side-by-side for all the inconsequential moments that make up your work day, or when there’s nobody there for that impromptu chat about nothing in particular while the kettle boils.
Yes, you’re not at work to make friends, but, I think we can all admit that having a supportive, tight-knit and, frankly fabulous, team around you can really make a difference to how you feel about both your day and your job. So, let’s step away from the screens and strengthen those relationships in the fun, pressure-free and camaraderie-filled environment that is the office Christmas party – sharing moments starts here.
Seasonal satisfaction
While it might seem insignificant, office Christmas parties are actually a great indicator of a company’s culture and the values upon which it builds its reputation. Think about it – people see a company that understands there should be a balance between work and life, that is invested in bringing people together and creating a positive working environment, that rewards effort, and that sees employees as more than just sources of productivity but as people who work hard and do a good job.
While we’re not saying it can perform Christmas miracles – it is, after all, just a party – what we are saying is never underestimate the power of small things to make a big difference. A Christmas party shows employees you care, and, it is examples of caring such as these that are the building blocks of employee loyalty, trust and happiness.
Yuletide yearnings
…Would people prefer bowl food or a buffet? Shall we have a DJ or live band? Shall we have both a DJ and a live band? Can you really hear ‘all I want for Christmas is you’ too many times? Hmm, is it acceptable to wear my Oodie to the office Christmas party?…
Yes, we know where your mind is at. Now.
About that Oodie though…
