If you run your firm solo or with just a few staff, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have an end-of-year celebration. From joining up with other local businesses for a group celebration, to spending your party budget on a workshop with a lifestyle coach, here are some smart ways to say thank you to your team.

1. Potluck picnic

Host a potluck lunch in your local park. Invite your team, their families and dogs, and consider partnering with nearby businesses. By bringing a favourite dish or something to throw on a barbecue it becomes a collaborative event, perfect for small teams or workplaces on a budget. Give your picnic an old-fashioned feel with a three-legged race, egg-and-spoon race and a tug-of-war.

2. Reflect, recharge and reignite 

As the holidays approach, many of us find ourselves busy, overwhelmed and caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. Instead of a party, send your team off on their break feeling inspired. Engage a life coach to give your team practical tips on managing stress, setting meaningful goals, and entering the new year with clarity and confidence. It’s the perfect blend of motivation and mindfulness to end the year on a high note. 

3. Comedy night

What better way to celebrate the end of the year than with a laugh? There are comedy venues in most of the main centres in New Zealand and Australia, and the door charge for local comedians is typically budget-friendly. Alternatively, bring pizzas into the office and hire a local comedian or performer to come to you.

4. Global gathering

Celebrate all the wonderful cultures in your office. Encourage festive attire from different nations, ask everyone to bring a national dish, and decorate your office with flags, cultural symbols and traditional decorations. Curate a global holiday playlist using Spotify or YouTube and set up a global-themed photo booth with props. For an activity, create a quiz with questions about celebratory traditions from different countries.

5. Office high tea 

Hold a high tea in the office. Buy (or make) a couple of fancy cakes, club sandwiches, scones and cream, and decorate the tables with tablecloths and flowers. Use tiered cake stands, teapots, sugar cubes, milk jugs and mismatched cups and saucers. Instead of Secret Santa, ask everyone to bring a wrapped present for a child to donate to your local charity.

6. Fish and chips on the beach

Here’s one for the whole team, plus their families: pack the sunscreen, a cricket set and a few frisbees, and head to the beach. Hold a sandcastle-building competition and a beach scavenger hunt. Shout the team fish and chips and some non-alcoholic drinks. 

7. Retro pool party

For a fun and refreshing twist, head to the local pool. Adopt a retro ’50s theme and bring beach balls, striped towels and sun umbrellas, and play vintage tunes by the likes of Elvis and The Beach Boys. Play water volleyball or pool-noodle races. Make or buy burgers, bring fruit platters, iced tea and lemonade. Serve ice-cream cups for dessert and offer DIY toppings such as chocolate syrup, crushed cookies and whipped cream.

Whatever form your end-of-year event takes, remember that as the host of your office party you have a responsibility to ensure the safety of your employees. Review the Australian Government guidelines here and WorkSafe New Zealand’s guidance here.