How Virtual Companies Can Celebrate the Holidays

Although being a virtual company can make in-person meetings a bit more difficult, it doesn’t have to put a damper on the spirit of the holidays. Thanks to new technology and the use of good old snail mail, virtual companies can celebrate holidays throughout the year. Below we’ve compiled a few ideas to help you deck the halls this holiday season.

Here are seven tips for virtual companies looking to celebrate the holidays now and throughout the year:

1. Cookie Exchange

For those who love to indulge in some baked goods, create small groups of coworkers to participate in a cookie exchange. Everyone will get a package of baked goods that will help them feel connected.

2. Gift Exchange

The ease of online shopping can keep remote workers connected through simple gift exchanges. Online platforms such as Elfster make the setup easy. Once coworkers are paired up and a spending limit is set, secret Santas can make their appearance.

3. Happy Hour

Having the opportunity to spend time with coworkers outside of work is important. For virtual companies, look into online platforms that can make connecting face-to-face in large groups easy. Then, virtual workers can connect to play games, have a trivia hour, or simply enjoy an adult beverage together.

4. Online Party

Along the lines of a happy hour, an online platform can make this possible. Holiday parties can consist of friendly competition, games, breakout sessions, and even sharing the video of opening their gifts or baked goods. Participants could also incorporate a costume judging or ugly sweater contest into the event.

5. Corporate Social Media

All virtual workers will be able to participate in activities taking place on corporate social media platforms such as Yammer. Use this method of interaction to start a discussion about what people are thankful for or what their holiday traditions are. You could also post a picture and take polls on Halloween costumes, ugly Christmas sweaters, or coolest fireworks display.

6. Virtual Karaoke

If you’ve got a daring bunch, virtual karaoke could be fun! Using an online platform like Sococo, virtual workers could get together and enjoy some friendly (and funny!) singing. For the holidays, try virtual caroling where a small group of workers visit colleagues’ offices and sing them a song.

7. Remote Volunteering

Building bonds through volunteering and helping others are bonds that can last a lifetime. For the holidays, groups of virtual workers can adopt needy families, get together to create holiday cards for veterans, or use their cooking skills to donate to a nonprofit or charity. Truly, the options are limitless.

Virtual companies have many options when it comes to spreading holiday cheer within their teams. Although geographic distance might make get-togethers a bit more difficult, new and different opportunities exist for people to connect. Get creative and your teams will enjoy a holiday season together even when they are apart.