How to Break the Monotony of the Holiday Party Season

Are you're tired of the same old office Christmas parties year after year where the only thing to look forward to is a drunk co-worker providing the entertainment? If you've decided to take planning this year's party upon yourself to avoid the same old same old, here are a few activities that you may want to incorporate into your next corporate get-together.

Creative Gift Exchanges

If you're bored with drawing a name out of the pot and buying a gift for a person you essentially know nothing about, adding a twist to this holiday tradition will shake things up a bit and take the stress out of finding the right gift. Exchange ornaments or homemade cookies in lieu of requiring the purchase of traditional gifts. Another idea is drawing numbers. Everyone buys a gift (or the aforementioned ornaments or cookies) and each gift is assigned a number. Participants draw numbers instead of names and receive the corresponding gift.

Themed Parties

Themed parties are a way of getting rid of the Winter Blahs that set in just about the time the holiday party scene is supposed to be in full swing. If you're sick of being stuck in a Winter Wonderland, opt for a non-traditional holiday party instead. Luaus, murder mystery parties, casino night, or disco dances are all fun, creative ways of getting out of the holiday rut.

Give The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The holiday season is all about giving and receiving. Why not turn your office party into a charitable event? Instead of buying gifts for each other, purchase blankets or winter clothing to be donated to local shelters. Bring handmade items to your holiday party for co-workers to purchase for their own personal gift giving and donate the proceeds to charity. An auction would work well for this, too. Hold a pantry stocking party and bring canned goods, personal, and household items to fill a basket for a needy family in the area.

However your office decides to celebrate this holiday season, remember to have fun and make it an event to remember. For good reasons, of course. Remember, you have to face these people again come Monday morning.