'Tis the season to be jolly! And here at 9-2-3, Christmas has really taken off. One team member has had her tree up since mid-November. (The children of the other 9-2-3 families were shocked - shocked to their very cores, I tell you - at such extravagance!) We're all well into the season of nativity plays and Christmas jumpers and reindeer food. Another jam-jar snow globe to add to my collection, you say? With some lovely seasonal germs gifted by Shepherd No. 3? Doesn't it make your heart just sing with Christmas cheer...?
But perhaps this year, the festive spirit is operating differently. A little less Joy to the World, and a little more Silent Night. Surveys have shown that the traditional Christmas party has lost its once-treasured place in the hearts of UK workers - an overwhelming 87% of workers now say that they would prefer to receive a bonus or a gift than a Christmas party. It's possible, of course, that organised fun isn't everyone's cup of mulled wine. Do some people regard Christmas drinks as more of an endurance event than a shining beacon of festive hope? Some team members may just prefer to spend their evenings, especially in the busy Christmas period, away from work-related conversations. Or perhaps, in light of the cost of living crisis, the answer is an economic one. After all, by the time you've factored in the clothing and the babysitter and the transport, Christmas work events can be an expensive undertaking for even the most enthusiastic of partygoers. Given that the average Christmas party budget has crept up over the years and now stands at a reasonably hefty £58 per person, would it be a popular move if companies were to gift this money directly to workers, as a festive Thank You for their efforts over the year?
Some might say that organisations are in a tricky position. After all, more modern working patterns mean that teams are often dispersed across the region or country. In previous years, the Christmas party might have been a chance to get individuals together for team building, and to develop relationships and a sense of belonging. But as festive habits are changing, so new opportunities are arising. Some companies are suggesting that rather than a team dinner, staff take part in a team "Community Day" each year. Under this system, employees work together on a voluntary project for one working day each year, supported and encouraged by their employer. Some might argue that this actually does a better job of building team spirit. After all, you may learn a lot more about your fellow employees when helping at a food bank or maintaining your local park than you would have done in a noisy bar... What makes them tick? What are their social strengths? What are their values, away from a spreadsheet?
Ultimately, perhaps we should all be opening up honest conversations within our teams about what individuals would prefer. As with so many discussions within the workplace, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. Here at 9-2-3, we're so busy chatting to our lovely candidates and arranging our new snow globes that we're having our Christmas party in January. Current suggestions include axe-throwing (who knew?) and candle-making (ahhh)... We'd love to hear what you have planned!
However you choose to mark it, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and a peaceful New Year. We can't wait to speak to you in 2024!