3 Good Christmas Party Ideas... and Why They Matter in 2022

At MasterPeace we think that Christmas 2022 matters more, perhaps, than any other Christmas before it - and not just because your last two Christmasses were, likely, cancelled or scaled back due to COVID19.

Let us convince you to go BIG this Christmas with these 3 reasons:

1. Motivation

Your team need high-value, non-salary related incentives this year, more than ever, to stay motivated.

Did you know, on average, you are paying your people 3% less in real terms this year than previously? According to the ONS, even if you've managed to up salary by 4% this year, that still feels like a 3% real income reduction, once you've factored in inflation, and cost of living increases.

S0, your Christmas Party is an even more important, non-salary-related, part of your overal benefits package this year.

Christmas Parties create motivation through the:

• The Social Connection Motivation Effect: in addition to pay, many of us are motivated to come to work because of the strong relationships we build with our teams. Research shows that having strong social ties at work increase our productivity, feelings of belonging and overall happiness. Your Christmas Party can play a huge role in setting foundations for new team relationships to flourish.
• The Gift Giving Motivation Effect : According to Harvard Business Review, in some cases, non-monetary rewards can be even more motivating than monetary rewards of the same value. Your Christmas Party can feel like a gifted experience to your teams, and research shows that the cost of that gifted experience can actually generate more motivation than paying the equivalent cost out as a bonus.
• The Reciprocity Motivation Effect: a brilliant Christmas Party can feel like a marker of generosity from your organisation to your team. You don't need to be a behavioural pscyhologist to know that, you get back from your team what you give. There are countless studies showing that, teams are very likely to be more generous of themselves, such as occassional overtime or going above and beyond on a task, when they are 'reciprocating' perceived generosity from their organisations.

     A little reciprocity goes a long way –Malcolm Forbes

2. Recognition

Your team, more than ever, deserve a thank you for simply turning up to work this year. Why?

• They haven't left you for someone else, despite it being VERY tempting to this year: we've all seen the headlines on the 'Great Resignation' of 2022. In persuit of more salary, more purpose, or more working from home, 40% of us are planning on quitting our jobs for someone else this year. But your team have stuck with you - maybe because you throw the best Christmas Parties?
• They've been through a lot and manage to still show up: the effort it takes each of us, to simply get out of bed and show up for work, is in some ways greater now than it has ever been. We have all endured a long-term, multi-faceted, pervasive, crises over the last few years, which has taken a toll on our mental health. Recognising how much deeper your team has had to dig, for your business, will go a long way this year.

We now have the highest rate of economic inactivity due to long-term health issues for over 20yrs - almost 2.4m people

This is increasingly due to #MentalHealth, something I spent 18 frustrating months advising the DWP on a few years ago

Here's where things are going wrong...🧵 pic.twitter.com/2uA66V0LxD

— Tom Pollard (@PollardTom) August 23, 2022

3. Social Good

Your local community need the economic-boost your Christmas Party budget represents this year. Hosting your Christmas Party with small, local businesses, does a huge amount of good for the local economy your company depends on.

Did you know that ethnic minority & female-led small businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the economic decline caused by Covid-19?

Hosting your Christmas Party & sourcing your Christmas Gifts from ethical, local businesses generates economic and social good far after the tinsel has been taken down from your window displays.

So, what makes a brilliant Christmas Party idea in 2022?

1. Make it enriching: with a pinch on personal budgets, your teams are probably scaling back spend on their individual 'non-essentials' like creative learning experiences, holidays, and days out.  Give them a boost by making your Christmas Party ideas as fun and enriching as possible.
2. Make it hybrid: we think the emphasis this year should be on physical connection, something we've all lacked. But don't push individuals too far out of their comfort zone, and keep your Christmas Party ideas inclusive, by providing a way to dial in to the physical party virtually if needed - also known as a 'hybrid' event.
3. Make it do good: work with ethical, local, small businesses for as much of your Christmas party ideas and corporate gifting ideas needs as possible, to inject a much needed boost to your local economy.

Christmas Party ideas at MasterPeace

1. Hybrid Paint & Sip Experience: a relaxing painting experience that your global team can participate in.

• A local, professional artist, will step you through your chosen beginner friendly painting in 90 minutes.
• You can host your London office at the gorgeous MasterPeace studio in Belgravia, and dial in your global team to join the party via zoom, with materials delivered to them at home in advance.
• Includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and seasonal snacks, with more catering available if you need.

2. Hybrid Christmas Bauble Making: a mindful crafting experience that your global team can participate in

• A local, professional artist, will step you through the creation of a beautiful woolen red-robin using a needle-felting technique.
• You can host your London office at the gorgeous MasterPeace studio in Belgravia, and dial in your global team to join the party via zoom, with materials delivered to them at home in advance.
• Includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and seasonal snacks, with more catering available if you need.

3. And for London-based teams, why not consider a Christmas Candle Making Experience or Christmas Wreath Making Experience too?

To design your Christmas Party at MasterPeace, get in touch by emailing info@masterpeace.studio.

Written by MasterPeace Founder, Zena El Farra

August 2022