Company Christmas dinners: the timeless classic
Despite new formats and digital trends, the traditional Christmas company dinner still reigns supreme. Why? Because it works. It’s a setting where departments that rarely cross paths finally do. Conversations flow more freely when the PowerPoint slides stay at the office, and colleagues become just people again — laughing, eating, sharing stories.
Organizziamo l’evento di Natale perfetto per la tua azienda. Contattaci!
According to Forbes, informal gatherings help build stronger interdepartmental relationships and increase employees’ sense of belonging. The secret to success lies in keeping things relaxed: cozy venues, diverse menus, music that encourages conversation rather than shouting over it. When the atmosphere is natural, the chemistry follows.
Planning an event that’s almost guaranteed to succeed isn’t difficult — as long as you follow a few key rules. The important thing is to know them. Or to trust someone who does.
Culinary team building: cooking together, laughing together
One of the fastest-growing trends is the Christmas cooking contest — part competition, part bonding exercise. Teams, guided by a professional chef, create festive dishes that are then judged and (usually with great humor) awarded.
The appeal? Shared experience. More and more employees seem to want something different from the usual Secret Santa routine. The idea of swapping yet another mug or notebook doesn’t excite anyone anymore. What really catches people’s attention now are the creative, more personal twists — the ones that feel like they mean something.
A new kind of Secret Santa
Take the so-called “skills Secret Santa.” Instead of buying something random, colleagues “gift” each other short mentoring sessions or share a professional tip they’ve mastered over the years. It might be showing someone how to design a clean slide deck or teaching a trick in Excel that saves an hour a week.
Others take the thematic route, linking the exchange to company values — eco-friendly gifts, handmade items, or little things that support local makers. It’s less about the object itself and more about the gesture — a reminder that someone actually thought about you for more than two seconds.
Solidarity in celebration: finding purpose in the party
A growing number of companies are turning their Christmas gatherings into something that blends celebration with meaning. Not in a heavy-handed way, but as a way to do some good while having fun together. There’s volunteering as a team, organizing small fundraisers, or spending an afternoon preparing care packages for families who could use a bit of extra warmth during the holidays.
According to Deloitte, around 70% of employees feel more connected when their company actively supports community initiatives. It’s less about ticking the “CSR” box and more about that simple sense of shared purpose. Doing something together that matters — even a small thing — can build a kind of energy that a fancy dinner alone just doesn’t.
When Christmas events shift company culture
Somewhere between the decorations, the laughter, and the slightly awkward dance moves, something real tends to happen. The tone shifts. For a few hours, people stop being job titles and start being just… people. It’s a reset button of sorts, a small reminder that behind every spreadsheet or Slack message there’s a story, a sense of humor, a person who wants to feel seen.
Vuoi la location perfetta per il tuo prossimo evento di Natale? Scrivici subito!
Leave a reply