With so much uncertainty about the type of festivities we’ll be able to enjoy with our teams this year, especially for companies with a large number of employees, at Love Belfast we thought we’d look at ways you can still ensure plenty of festive team spirit.
And with the extended restrictions on hospitality and close contact businesses in what would usually be the peak time in the run up to Christmas, we’ve been sure to include ways you can support local businesses and local jobs whilst spreading some festive cheer to your team.
1 Share a festive feast with your team from the comfort of their own home
While we might not be able to dine out in the same way this Christmas, we can still share great food together, but apart. We’ve seen many of our local restaurants adapt well and quickly to offer dine at home options, some of which can be delivered to your employees wherever they are across the province – a great Christmas lunch/dinner alternative, ensuring everyone still gets to enjoy a restaurant quality meal and a virtual dining experience if you arrange a time to all gather on Zoom and eat together. Check out the dine at home options currently available from @Coppibelfast @Bubabelfast @eatatdeanes and @Hadskisbelfast_ or speak with your local restaurant of choice now to see what they can offer.
2 Share some festive cheer with your team
The Christmas party spirit is a staple of the festive season that many teams look forward to all year. The good news is that from local distilleries that provide home delivery options, to bars and specialist companies providing takeaway and delivery craft beers and cocktails, festive cheers can still be part of your team festive celebrations (albeit virtually!).
Check out @Shortcrossgin @theStillhousemoira @Directwineshipments and @Margotbelfast to name but a few. Again, be sure to check out suppliers in your local area.
And what’s a festive celebration without entertainment? Consider booking a local musician or entertainer for your virtual event, or organising for your team to log on to one of the virtual events hosted by local bars and making a donation in return to support local artists.
3 Spread some joy with a treat of a delivery
With us all spending more time at home, a gift box of treats delivered to the door is sure to put a smile on the faces of your team.
A hamper filled with local luxuries, whether you create them personally or take advantage of readymade options available from the likes of @sawersltd @belfastfoodtour @cheeseplease_ni and @Indiefude, is like the grown-up equivalent of a selection box.
A great choice this year would also be a package of goodies and gift voucher from a local café or restaurant. Not only will you provide much welcome custom now when it’s needed most, but your team will have something to look forward. Coffee shops such as @Establishedcoffee stock a great range of merchandise and gift vouchers, as will others local to you.
And when it comes to indulgent deliveries, you can be sure that a sweet treat from the likes of @weareohdonuts @Nearynogschocolate @bumbleandgoose or @mamafeya1 will provide a welcome sugar fix – donuts, chocolate or cupcakes to the door to enjoy on a virtual colleague coffee-break, yes please!
4 Let the good times roll
Even if your team is still working remotely, the festivities can continue. While the team social calendar may not feature many, if any, in-person activities, it can be reworked combine festive fun with supporting local.
An easy one is Christmas Jumper Day, it isn’t going anywhere. You can also work in festive scavenger hunts, Christmas themed team playlists etc.
A great option this year if you have the resources, is a team advent calendar with each daily prize being a gift voucher for a local hospitality or close contact business. You can help to provide much needed cash flow for local cafes, restaurants, hotels and beauty businesses whilst giving your team something to look forward to using. Check out your local social enterprises too. You could for example, theme all your prize gift vouchers to come from the town where your business is based.
5 Make it the season for giving in the best possible way
2020 has highlighted the importance of community and kindness. Why not create a joint endeavour for your team and ask that instead of a Secret Santa gift for a colleague, that everyone spend the same amount on either a donation of food to a local food bank or a gift for a local charity, such as the Mission Christmas appeal championed by @officialcoolfm. Imagine the difference your team could make by giving to those who need it most, this year perhaps more than ever.
And of course, many of these ideas will work well beyond your team too. Support local whilst sharing some festive cheer with clients, suppliers, family, friends and maybe even a treat for yourself too! 😉
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