Don't Underestimate the Importance of the Christmas Party

At a time when budgets are being squeezed, far too many employers view the Christmas party as a luxury they could do without. Far from it. The annual Christmas party is an incredibly important event, and one which companies would be unwise to do away with. Here's why.

The Christmas party is about so much more than giving people a chance to let their hair down, although that's a good reason in itself. It's also an opportunity for team bonding. When people chat to one another out of the workplace context, they often find commonalities they wouldn't have otherwise found. That helps strengthen relationships, which benefits the whole team.

In larger organisations, departments don't often get a chance to mix and discuss what they're working on. This is one of those rare moments when people get to see the bigger picture, to learn how all the different sections of the company come together as a unified whole.

A Christmas party is also a way of showing appreciation, of thanking your staff for their hard work throughout the year. It's seen by many as a reward, and being rewarded makes people feel valued by their employers. This is also a golden opportunity to reinforce your company values, particularly team spirit. The vast majority of employees want to feel involved, whether that's in the planning or just the dressing up and partying.

Believe it or not, the run-up to the Christmas party can be a period of increased productivity. That infectious buzz the office gets in the build-up to the event can be an incredible morale booster and motivator. The workplace suddenly feels like a happier environment, and happy employees are more productive employees.

Don't see the party as a distraction, but an attraction. It is a central pillar of a strong workplace culture, and when you have a strong workplace culture, it keeps people happy in their jobs and attracts external talent when it comes to recruiting.

All in all, it reflects well on a company if they can organise a really fun work Christmas party. Employees really do appreciate the chance to come together and celebrate, both the holiday season itself and their organisation. It's an opportunity to forge friendships, network and really appreciate what it means to be part of a wider team.