As we dive deeper into the holiday season, you’re likely ready to start planning your office’s annual party. And the key to hosting a truly heartwarming and comforting event is by prioritizing inclusivity.
At a glance
- P – Plan diverse activities that are fun for everyone
- A – Acknowledge different holiday traditions and cultures
- R – Respect the preferences of your employees
- T – Take some time to learn about your employees
- Y – Yield an open and welcoming environment
It’s important to make sure your workplace celebrations are fun, enlightening, and enjoyable for any and everyone. Cultivating a culture of positivity and inclusivity is the best way to do just that!
Keep reading, and I’ll share with you five ways that you can ensure your workplace holiday party is inclusive for everyone with the acronym PARTY!
See Related: 6 Company Holiday Party Ideas From A Master of Ceremonies
#1. P – Plan diverse activities that are fun for everyone
It can take some time to fully understand what it means to be an inclusive workplace. It’s about more than just being respectful of the people around you.
It’s also important to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and comfortable.
When it comes to celebrating the holidays in the workplace, it’s important to take into consideration the differences between your employees. No two people are the same, and it’s very important to acknowledge that.
Now is the time to celebrate your diverse workforce!
The foundation of enjoyable holiday celebrations
That brings us to the first letter of our acronym; P – Plan diverse activities that are fun for everyone.
The foundation of best practices for inclusive holiday celebrations are the activities you put together. It’s important to incorporate a mix of activities that appeal to different preferences and abilities.
That way, no one feels left out at all!
However, it might be more challenging than you might think to put together truly enjoyable and fun entertainment. And that’s one of the few reasons why you need to book an emcee for your office holiday festivities.
The perfect event emcee is a must for inclusive holiday celebrations
With a corporate event Master of Ceremonies at the helm, you’ll be able to put on some truly engaging and interactive things to do at your workplace celebration. That’s what a great speaker can do for you!
But when it comes down to it, offering a diverse range of activities allows you to engage a broad spectrum of participants at your holiday celebration.
Bonus: What Is B2B Event Planning? Your Complete Guide
#2. A – Acknowledge different holiday traditions and cultures
When the holiday season rolls around, many people celebrate in different ways. To create an inclusive environment, you should encourage employees to enjoy the festive season the way they want to.
Start by highlighting the rich tapestry of traditions within your workplace. Celebrate what makes each person unique and different.
Let employees know that they’re welcome to share their unique customs and holiday traditions as they see fit.
Along these lines, it’s important to also not push a personal agenda. Create an atmosphere that welcomes all religious holidays and various backgrounds without prioritizing one over another.
#3. R – Respect the preferences of your employees
It’s important to consciously respect the preferences of your many employees. And this extends way past the larger implications of any holiday party.
For example, if a team member has a peanut allergy, be sure your catered dishes don’t include any traces of nuts. If you have gluten-free employees, be sure to include some food options that don’t have gluten.
To be fully aware of any and everything you’ll need to take into consideration, be sure to consult with your employees beforehand. That’s the only way you’ll know about the things you should incorporate into your event! Plus, it’s always a good idea to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
#4. T – Take some time to learn about your employees
The holiday season is all about spending time with the people closest to you. And it’s important to make sure that you spend some of that time with your team.
That’s why hosting an inclusive holiday celebration is so important!
Not only will it show your employees that you truly care about them, but it will also give everyone some time to spend with their coworkers outside of the office.
But even before the day of your office holiday party, be sure to spend some time getting to know your employees. Plus, the benefits of doing this extend way past your holiday celebrations.
For instance, learning more about your team and growing closer with your employees will help you better manage them. You’ll be more familiar with what works, and what doesn’t. It’s important to understand what your employees respond well to.
By understanding your team on a deeper level, you’ll also be able to successfully combine their strengths and help them become more efficient.
Don’t underestimate the power of showing your team that you care
Some quality one-on-one time engaging in team-building activities or simply joshing around will be instrumental in building a positive company culture. And that’s the foundation of an inclusive workplace.
#5. Y – Yield an open and welcoming environment
There are many ways that you can cultivate an inclusive culture around the office. Even if your team is comprised of solely remote workers, it’s still important to do what you can to have a fun holiday party for your staff members.
And there are many ways you can do this, even before your holiday celebration begins.
One popular way to help create a more inclusive workplace is by offering floating holidays instead of set time off. This promotes holiday inclusivity and allows employees to use their time off to celebrate holidays as they want!
Final thoughts
Putting together some fun, enjoyable, and inclusive holiday celebrations in the workplace is essential if you want to boost morale and fill the air with festive cheer. When it comes down to it, inclusive holidays are the key to a positive workplace culture!
Keep Reading: 5 Holiday Fundraising Ideas From A Corporate Emcee
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Adam Christing has been called “The Tom Brady of emcees.” He has hosted more than 1,000 company meetings, special events, gala celebrations, and more. He is the author of several books and founder of CleanComedians.com. For more event tips, follow Adam Christing on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
