Resources

Looking to inspire some holiday spirit in your office? The holidays are the perfect time for co-workers to come together and get to know each other in a way they may not be able to the rest of the year. These types of events can work wonders for employee morale and the work life balance in your business. There are tons of things you can do in your office to get employees into the holiday spirit, and these are a few of our favorites.

 

A Traditional Potluck Party

One of the easiest types of parties to throw in the office is a potluck in which every employee brings a dish and then at lunchtime everyone has plenty of food to share. You may want to come up with a signup sheet to pass around beforehand so that no two employees bring the same thing.

 

A Cookie Exchange

A cookie exchange involves every participating employee bringing in one type of cookie to share with the office (usually one or two dozen depending on the number of employees). One employee will bake chocolate chip cookies, another will bake sugar cookies and so on and so forth. Then on the day of the exchange everyone will take a few cookies from each participant so that they can go home with an exciting assortment of cookies for themselves and their families.

 

An Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest

Who doesn’t love a good ugly holiday sweater? Take it up a notch by holding a contest for the ugliest sweater in your office. This can be a contest you hold in the office during work hours or during your annual holiday party. Employees will enjoy the challenge and the laughs!

 

A Cubicle Decorating Contest

Similarly, starting a cubicle decorating contest is a great way to spread holiday cheer at work. Challenge each employee to decorate his or her workspace and then hold a contest allowing employees to vote for their favorites.

 

A Secret Santa Party

Another classic tradition, secret Santa parties are always a good time. Go for a theme such as ornaments or gifts of a certain color to make things more interesting. Just remember to make the price limit clear so that employees don’t overspend or underspend.

 

Have your own ideas for good office holiday parties? Share them in the comments below!

Fun at Work

More From NBF

Now Trending: Modern Office Furniture

Sleek and sophisticated furniture is here to stay, and we’re not just talking about in your home. Due to its attractive look, modern furnishings are only gaining in popularity in offices all over the world. Modern office design creates an air of professionalism through minimalism, focusing on thin profiles and mixed materials. It’s a fashion statement that can be seen in every corner of an office, no matter how large or small the business may be. Here are some of the ways we’ve seen modern office furniture implemented in recent years.

Healthier Hospitals Initiative: What is it and How Does NBF Support It?

The goal of the Healthier Hospitals Healthy Interiors initiative is to ensure that 30% of the annual volume of furniture and furniture purchases eliminate the use of formaldehyde, perfluorinated compounds, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), antimicrobials, and all flame retardants. In its effort to help provide a healthy and safe environment for all healthcare providers, patients and guests, NBF supports HH Healthy Interiors in a few different ways.

How to Set Up a Lunchroom

Most offices have lunchrooms, but they aren’t normally at the top of the priority list when designing a new office space. However, a well-designed breakroom can make a big difference in the day-to-day work lives of your employees. Functional, good-looking lunchrooms can increase how often employees utilize the space, decreasing their desire to go out for lunch and enabling them to make healthier, less expensive eating choices.

Tables

One of the first things you’ll want to decide when designing your breakroom is what type of tables you need since tables can take up quite a bit of space in the room. Standard height cafeteria tables with attached or separate chairs are great options for large, open spaces. If you have a smaller room, you may consider smaller café tables that take up less physical and visual space. Lunchroom tables come in a huge assortment of styles and sizes, so you should have no problem finding the one that’s right for you.

Chairs

If you do not select a table with built-in seating, you’ll need chairs to go with your tables. Choose a collection with matching tables and chairs, or go with something totally different. If you select café tables, make sure you get stools of the correct height to ensure your employees are comfortable while seated. Choose from folding, stacking, mobile, and nesting chairs that are easy to move around and store when needed. Remember, armless chairs will make it much easier for users to get up close to the table to eat. 

Magazine Racks

Offering magazines to employees in your breakroom is a great way to keep them happy on their lunch breaks, especially for those who may have forgotten to bring their own reading material. Choose either a wall-mounted or freestanding magazine holder, and keep it well-stocked with the latest issues of the magazines your company subscribes to.

Message Boards

Message boards are a great addition to any lunchroom because they help get company messages across to employees much quicker when placed in a room that employees frequent. Because your employees will be utilizing your beautiful new lunchroom regularly, they’re sure to walk by your message board often, provided you place it in an easy-to-see spot.

Waste Receptacles

Although they aren’t the most glamorous items you’ll buy for your lunchroom, waste receptacles are essential. Before making a purchase, decide where your trash cans will be placed in your lunchroom and measure the space. You’ll also want to determine how many garbage and recycling bins will be needed right away since you can usually get a discount when ordering multiple receptacles at the same time.

Refrigerators

Don’t forget the refrigerator! The size of your company and the size of your lunchroom will determine how large or small of a refrigerator you’ll be able to get and how many you’ll need. Whether you need a large fridge/freezer combo or would rather equip your space with multiple small refrigerators, you have plenty of options.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your comment has been sent.

Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.