There’s always one colleague who knows the exact amount of days to Christmas. It may be you! But, if you’re the one in charge of year-end office celebrations, the announcement that it’s under 50 days can elicit panic. You need to start prepping, pronto!

Should your event be grand or low-key? And do you focus on team bonding or just enjoying a fun night out? Is it even worth having an office party?

Here’s a look at some of the current end-of-year corporate event trends and why these gatherings may be more important than you think – plus fool-proof ways to pull the party off like a pro.

Is it even worth having an end-of-year office event?

We’re starting with the big question first (we’re all about saving you time). There are, in fact, strategic benefits to year-end functions, which will likely lead to increased business efficacy (and revenue) in the long term. These were the top points mentioned in an SMME business-owner forum:

1. Avoiding duplicate work: When colleagues got together in a social setting, casually discussing projects, they reduced the amount of time spent unnecessarily working on the same tasks or mistakenly rehashing past ideas and concepts.

   
   

2. Channels of communication: After chatting casually at an event,team members felt more comfortable having awkward but necessary discussions and bringing up ideas and challenges they’d previously been too shy to broach.

   
   

3. Year-end events help employees feel seen and valued: Studies have shown that recognition for work and feeling valued in the workplace can be just as, if not more, important than monetary incentives. Employees who feel valued are also more likely to stay with their company.

What’s the deal with themes and quirky elements?

Q4 fatigue! By the end of the year, employees are tired and wishing for a break from work. So, the thought of another corporate function may not fill them with merriment. Changing up your year-end event with thoughtful, quirky elements can perk up spirits and make employees feel special (and valued).

Jadine Venter, our Head of Marketing at BON Hotels, spills the tea:

“I had an event with a very quirky twist on the cuisine – the savoury food looked like dessert, and desserts like savoury food. We created burgers that looked just like cupcakes and slices of cucumber that were, in fact, macarons! Another interesting theme is ‘dining in the dark’, where the guests eat delicious food in complete darkness, heightening their senses.”

BON Hotel Empangeni hosted an event that turned their beautiful garden into the setting for a braai dinner under the stars. As part of the night, the team arranged a Zulu Dance performance with live drumming and traditional attire. The dancers invited everyone to join them, creating a joyful, interactive moment that many of the hotel’s international guests especially enjoyed.

Top tip: You don’t have to develop these elements yourself – BON Hotels can do it for you. Our management teams have the ideas (you can see from the above!) and the experience to know what will work for your company. Chat to them here.

Go big, or go small?

We asked this question in a revealing LinkedIn poll, and 50% of respondents confirmed that a celebration at a venue is still the go-to. The other half chose either a meal at a restaurant, team getaways, or drinks and takeout at the office.

So, what does this mean? It suggests that while venues are still a solid option, you don’t have to stick to the mould. Smaller businesses, in particular, may find that a meal at a restaurant is simpler to organise and more budget-friendly (however, it’s worth noting that venue packages – like those at BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central, where costs start as low as R187 per person – may be a competitive option).

Experts also claim that companies are investing in January team-building getaways as opposed to year-end events, preferring to pump up motivation at the beginning of the year to combat back-to-work blues.

Top tip: BON Hotels’ properties are perfect for such getaways. Take BON Hotel Rustenburg, for example: it’s only a couple of hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria and offers conference facilities, multiple pools, and manicured gardens for a retreat-like experience that’s perfect for a team looking to unwind after a busy year or start off the year feeling energised.

Don’t stress about planning your end-of-year do. BON Hotels will do the heavy lifting on your behalf. Whether it’s a delicious lunch with a sea view at BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay, a 400-person party at BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central, or a team-building safari at Shishangeni by BON Hotels, we’ve got you covered with restaurants, venues, and team-getaway packages across the country.

The trick is to start planning as soon as possible so you don’t miss out! Contact us today.