Corporate Holiday Party Planning for an International Team Made Easy

Holiday parties are the end-of-the-year event everyone in (and out) of the office looks forward to. However, planning a holiday party becomes more complex as businesses grow globally and embrace more remote work. Still, corporate holiday party planning for international and remote teams is more rewarding than ever before! These parties help employees from different cultures, time zones, and locations come together to bond. More than that, they offer an amazing opportunity to celebrate diversity, foster camaraderie, and boost team morale.

Our guide is here to help inspire you to create your own unforgettable event for everything from fully online team to an in-person office celebration with remote participants.

Why Corporate Holiday Parties Matter

Corporate holiday parties are more than a simple seasonal celebration. They are a chance to recognize the year’s achievements, celebrate hard work, and build deeper team connections. These events are vital for remote and international teams. They help maintain company culture and camaraderie and ensure that everyone feels included and seen. Among the many different corporate traditions your team values, a good annual holiday party should be at the top of your list.

How to Plan a Corporate Holiday Party for Remote Teams

Corporate holiday party planning for international and remote teams starts where every party starts – at the idea board! It’s always important to be as inclusive and thoughtful to your team as possible. While the planning gets more complex with remote teams, it’s easy enough to break it down into simple steps.

During your planning phase it is vital to keep these 3 things in mind:

Acknowledge Cultural Diversity

All of your team members likely celebrate different holidays or have different traditions. It is crucial to recognize them during your planning. Rather than focusing on a Christmas party, consider a broader holiday season theme. Go further and invite your employees to share their customs and celebrations. This not only fosters inclusivity but also provides an opportunity for cultural exchange.

Consider Time Zones

Scheduling for remote teams, especially international teams, is always tricky. Make sure you do your best to choose a time that works for as many employees as possible. It may make sense for your team to host multiple holiday parties to accommodate a team that spans multiple continents.  Recording the holiday party for those team members who cannot attend live is a thoughtful way to include everyone.

Choose a Unifying Theme

A global theme helps create a sense of connection. The theme can be as vague or specific as you want it to be. From “Winter Wonderland” to “Holiday Night Life” – these themes can help you incorporate elements from different cultures. While also helping your team decorate and dress accordingly for the event.  A Christmas around the world-themed party could include decorations and traditions from the countries where your team resides.

How Do You Plan a Hybrid Holiday Party?

Corporate holiday party planning for a hybrid team allows you to get the best of both worlds. This allows those who want to party in person to do so while the remote team tunes in from the comfort of wherever they choose to unwind and celebrate.

To get things started you’ll need to go through the following checklist:

• Plan Appropriate Tech Infrastructure

You’ll need to make sure your team has the right technology and is ready to connect your remote team to your on-site participants. Using platforms like Zoom makes it easy to connect with a team of any size. Consider investing in multiple high-quality audio and video stations at the physical venue. This will allow your remote team to get a view of what is going on from multiple angles, as well as hear from multiple party hosts and attendees.

• Engage Remote Participants

Don’t let your remote team feel lost in the crowd. Make sure you create an interactive experience to make them feel included. For instance, invite members of your team to give speeches or show off a talent. Coordinate entertainment the whole party can watch together. Or even create small breakout rooms where smaller groups can interact together with in-person attendees.

• Send Gifts in Advance

Make remote team members feel included by sending them holiday gift baskets ahead of the event. This tangible connection helps bridge the gap between virtual and in-person participation. Virtual events gifts to the USA and around the world make it possible to spoil your remote team. Consider a gift with food and drink similar to what you’re serving at the in-person event to make them feel as included as possible.

Corporate holiday party planning: How to Plan a Virtual Holiday Office Party

Many of the same considerations from a hybrid party apply to a totally virtual holiday event. In fact – a fully virtual event is in some ways easier because you only have one side of things to think about. Still, a totally virtual event requires careful planning to ensure it is engaging and festive.

• Choose the Right Platform

Select a platform that supports large groups and offers features like breakout rooms, polls, and screen sharing. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and specialized virtual event platforms are great options.

• Plan Engaging Activities

Avoid making this feel like just another meeting by planning interactive activities. Consider asking team members to prepare a small presentation or talk about their unique holiday traditions. Hosting an ugly sweater contest or virtual holiday karaoke can make your virtual party feel just as vibrant as the in-office version. Make sure to poll your team well in advance for what they’d like to see!

• Incorporate Visual and Audio Elements

You can set the mood for your holiday party by sending your team holiday-themed backgrounds to use during the event. Make a music playlist to have during breaks or transitions at your party. Consider setting up a virtual photo booth for team members to take festive screenshots with holiday filters! And, of course – encourage your participants to dress up for the occasion.

• Send Gifts Ahead of Time

Since you don’t have to cater an in-person party, you’ll have to plan international gift basket delivery for your entire team! Consider planning gifts with snacks and drinks they can enjoy at the party!

How Do You Throw a Zoom Holiday Party?

Corporate holiday party planning for international and remote teams is made easier with Zoom. It’s currently one of the most popular platforms for virtual meetings and events due to its plethora of features.  Here’s how to make it work:

Send Invitations Early

Include a clear schedule and any necessary links. Encourage festive attire or suggest a holiday-themed virtual background. Make sure to send reminders after the initial invitation; after all, the holidays are a hectic time in and out of the office.

Create a Structured Agenda

Break the party into segments, such as welcome speeches, games, and social time. This keeps the event organized and engaging.

Host Interactive Activities

Use Zoom’s features like breakout rooms and polls to engage attendees. Activities like “Guess the Holiday Song” or a virtual gift exchange can keep the energy up.

Corporate Holiday Party Planning Checklist

A great party needs an equally great checklist to ensure no detail is forgotten. Here is one example you can feel free to use or customize to make it your own:

• Theme Selection: Reflects company culture and team diversity.
• Date and Time: Accommodates as many time zones as possible.
• Technology: Choose a reliable platform and test it in advance.
• Activities: Plan games and entertainment suitable for both in-person and remote attendees.
• Gifts: Arrange personalized gifts or gift baskets for remote employees, delivered in advance.
• Communication: Send invitations early and follow up with reminders.

Gift Ideas for a Remote Corporate Holiday Celebration

Holidays are about togetherness and appreciation. And what better way to show your employees how much they mean to you than by sending thoughtful gifts? Here are some ideas:

Personalized Gift Baskets

You might consider sending gift baskets for teams celebrating in the office. For those celebrating remotely, a thoughtful personalized gift basket is the way to go. Consider sending a delicious mix of local treats, snacks, and beverages!

Virtual Gift Cards

An e-gift card offers flexibility and allow recipients to choose something meaningful to them.

Custom Swag

Consider sending your team branded items like holiday mugs or sweaters to help build a sense of belonging and team spirit.

Wrapping Up Corporate Holiday Party Planning

No matter what kind of year your business has had, a team holiday party is a way to reflect, reset, and recharge for the year ahead. While corporate holiday party planning for international and remote teams may be difficult, it is well worth the effort. By incorporating inclusive themes, engaging activities, and thoughtful gifts, you can create a memorable experience that resonates with every employee, no matter where they are.

Need help with personalized gifts for your global team? Gift Baskets Overseas offers tailored solutions to ensure every employee feels valued and included this holiday season.

You’ve learned how to plan a holiday party for remote and international teams. What’s next?

• Get connected with your personal corporate gift expert by filling out this form.
• Use our Corporate Gift Wizard to make finding the perfect holiday gifts a breeze.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all the latest gifting news, holiday tips, and more!