Holiday Hacks For When The Christmas Party Gets Cancelled
Tags: Values, Kindness, Holiday Season, Connection, Festivities

From the amusement provided by the inevitable office Christmas party digressions, to the chance to gather with loved ones from near and far, most of us are pre-emptively mourning the usual merriment of the holiday season. On the tail end of a tough year, the idea that Christmas-as-we-know-it is cancelled is about as grimace-worthy as a questionably concocted party punch bowl! However, all is not lost.

So far, as 2020 has dealt us one bellow-the-belt blow after another, there have been some silver linings along the way. Being forced to step out of life’s usual slip-stream has gifted many with the chance to reflect on what really matters. Fundamentally, as tragic as the fall of the party season might be, the same opportunities are metaphorically gift wrapped — waiting for those with the inkling to tear off the paper! In the spirit of the season, we’ve compiled some helpful holiday hacks to make sure the festive spirit goes on strong, even if the punch bowl and turkey tray never get dusted off.

Remember What The Holidays Are All About

Of course, Christmas isn’t the only holiday that’s frustratingly been put in park this year. Treasured cultural celebrations such as Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Kartik Purnima have been or will be spent with ritual, gathering, and festivities sorely missed in 2020. Whether of religious or spiritual significance, or simply a time-honoured tradition that brings people together, there are unifying qualities that each household or workplace’s celebrations share: ’tis the season for connecting, sharing, and practising kindness.

As the chaos that usually unfolds in the run up to Christmas fails to manifest, we have an unusual freedom to contemplate our values, those who mean the most to us, and how we can touch them emotionally without being able to embrace them in person. Better yet, this is something that has already begun. An international wave of stories are emerging of many putting up holiday decorations early — and outwardly facing, at that — as a way to bring cheer to their neighbours and community during tough times.

Fill Festivities With Human Connection

Making Christmas gestures that feature an extra-personal twist this year is an effort that will keep that warm fuzzy feeling alive. Hand crafted, locally sourced, and personalised gifts add an extra layer of meaning, as do hand-written notes, or creatively crafted wrap (gain bonus mince-pie-points by going for vintage, antique, recycled, or upcycled!) Focusing on presents that will offer an enduring spirit-lifting experience is a way to ensure that the excitement extends far beyond the moment gifts are unwrapped. Consider what connects you with the person you’re buying for — a gift that references a previous moment shared, or a time anticipated on the other side of lockdown, can also provide a rewarding boost.

Many are facing a low-budget Christmas this year, making a decadent spread of home-delivered goodies more of a challenge. With this in mind, if you can’t do secret Santa in person, consider a Zoom secret Santa that crosses borders or even time-zones as required — providing a perfect dose of budget merriment. Add a stimulating element by getting people to add a Christmas joke or memory in with the presents they send. Video calling means that festive cocktails or games nights aren’t ruled out — they just need to become a virtual experience that evokes fun from afar. For those with the means, making charitable donations to local causes on behalf of others is a great gift option to.

Planning Ahead For Successful Celebrations

While more than not are feeling the 2020 pinch, retailers are still preparing for the annual buying frenzy — just not quite as they normally would. Researchers are working to predict how this will play out, with Suzin Wold of Bazaar Voice expressing that “there’s no doubt this Christmas period will be unlike any other, with more online shopping than ever.” Meanwhile, DHL Express is forecasting that worldwide shipping volumes will be up 50% over last year in the run up to Christmas. The company’s Executive Vice President Michiel Greeven said of the shifts seen so far this year that “Covid-19 and its impacts such as curfews or distancing led to massive changes in the retail sector all over the world.”

As much as retailers and shipping companies may be anticipating the rush, an extra level of organization on our parts may be prudent. Not only is it wise to factor in potential shipping delays, but it’s also vital to consider allowing extra time if intending to order goods to your home, wrap them in person, and then send them on. Staying abreast of travel and gathering restrictions in the run up to any potential get-togethers, and then broadly expecting the unexpected is likely going to be the best holiday season survival tactic!

Supplementing The Morale Boost Of The Christmas Team-Build

For businesses around the globe, retaining the best talent means keeping teams strong, and engagement high. The festive season is always an ideal juncture at which to do deliver some big boosts in these areas. So, what can employers do to keep a firm grip on this opportunity, when pre-Christmas rallying is not on the cards? Enlisting your team in a virtual seasonal fundraiser, or organising entertaining remote activities can help to invoke the sense that something special is afoot.

As many are struggling with the psychological impact of both personal and global disruptions, it may be of vital service to employees to not let the holiday window for re-charging spirits pass by without climbing on through. Consider what you would have budgeted for the usual office shindig, and repurpose those funds in a way that will mean the most to your team. Hitting the ground running for 2020, ready to navigate whatever else is in store for us all in the months ahead, will be well worth the investment. Sometimes, weathering the storm is as simple as reaching out, and pulling together on a human level. Good memories are the goal — what form they come in is entirely up to you.

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