Raising a toast with your colleagues and bringing the work year to a close: The office Christmas party can help strengthen team spirit. While many events fell victim to the pandemic in 2020, this does not have to happen again this year.

Germany-based leadership trainer Markus Jotzo gives two options for what an alternative Christmas party could look like this year in places where coronavirus infection rates are high.

If a meeting at the office or in a restaurant is out of the question because of Covid measures, it’s worth considering meeting outside in the fresh air. A Christmas market could be an option, if they are open, or a bar table with some drinks in a garden or a park.

There can also be more than just chatting, having a laugh and drinking warm apple cider, says the trainer: “The classic Secret Santa or even a jokey Secret Santa, where you can gift some funny toilet paper or get rid of your cousin Anna’s old vase. This is guaranteed to get people laughing.”

If you go ahead with this option, it’s a good idea to first agree whether those attending should remain distanced throughout and take a rapid test before meeting.

If the Christmas party cannot be held in-person for safety or budget reasons, an alternative could be an online Christmas party. Teams meeting online can create a relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise, a parcel packed with snacks and drinks that can be sent to colleagues’ homes also works well.

To avoid all colleagues having to listen to the same conversation at the same time, it’s a good idea to create so-called breakout rooms in the online meeting place, says Jotzo. It’s a space for groups of two or three, for example, to have a more in-depth conversation.

 - dpa