

To Invite, or Not to Invite: Should Plus Ones or Families Be Part of Your Work Christmas Party?
Ah, the age-old question that has puzzled party planners since time immemorial (or at least since the invention of the office Christmas do): Should we invite plus ones and families to the work Christmas party? It's a conundrum more complex than untangling a string of fairy lights, with pros and cons more numerous than the sprouts on your Christmas dinner plate.
Fear not, dear reader! We're about to embark on a jolly journey through the tinsel-strewn landscape of Christmas party planning, weighing up the options and sprinkling a little festive wisdom along the way. So, grab a mince pie, settle in, and let's dive into the great plus-one debate!
The Big Decision – Who's on the Nice List?
Before we start checking off our party planning list (and checking it twice), let's acknowledge the elephant in the room - or should we say, the reindeer in the grotto? Deciding whether to include plus ones and families in your work Christmas party is no small feat. It's a decision that can impact everything from budget to venue choice, from team dynamics to the overall vibe of the event.
But why is this such a hot topic? Well, your work Christmas party isn't just any old shindig. It's a rare opportunity for team celebration, collaboration, and recognition. It's a chance to toast the year's successes, strengthen bonds, and create memories that'll last longer than that fruit cake your great-aunt sends every year. So, getting the guest list right is crucial.
Let's break down the pros and cons, shall we? After all, making an informed decision is better than playing pin the tail on the donkey with your party plans!
Plus Ones & Families
Strengthening Team Connections by Celebrating Together
First up, let's look at the jolly side of including plus ones and families in your festive frolics.
Building a Family-Friendly Company Culture
Inviting plus ones and families to your Christmas party sends a clear message: your company values work-life balance and recognises that your employees have lives outside the office. It's like saying, "We know you're not just Dave from Accounting, you're also Sarah's partner and little Timmy's parent." This approach can foster a family-oriented culture that many employees will appreciate.
Strengthening Personal Connections
There's something magical about putting faces to the names you've heard in a hundred "Sorry, can't make it, it's my partner's birthday" emails. Inviting plus ones provides a chance for employees to introduce their better halves to their work family. It's a bit like those "Bring Your Child to Work" days, but with less crayon on the walls and more mulled wine.
Greater Inclusivity
For some employees, particularly those with families, knowing they can bring their loved ones along might make them more likely to attend and fully participate in the festivities. After all, it's hard to get into the party spirit when you're worrying about who's going to pick up the kids or whether your partner is sitting at home eating cold pizza.
Special Recognition for the Families Behind the Team
Let's face it, behind every great employee is often a supportive family who've put up with late nights, stress-induced rants, and the occasional "I just need to quickly check my emails" during dinner. A Christmas party can be a lovely way to say thank you to these unsung heroes of the workplace.
The Cost of Inclusion
Weighing the Cons of Plus Ones and Families at Your Party
Now, let's play devil's advocate for a moment and consider why you might want to keep your party a strictly employees-only affair.
Cost Considerations
Let's address the Christmas pudding in the room - money. Including plus ones and families can quickly turn your budget into the ghost of Christmas past. More guests mean more mouths to feed, more drinks to pour, and potentially a larger venue to accommodate everyone. It might mean the difference between a premium three-course meal and a buffet where people fight over the last sausage roll.
Dilution of Team Focus
Christmas parties are often one of the few times in the year when the entire team comes together in a more relaxed, collaborative setting. It's a chance for Gina from HR to finally have that chat with Sam from IT about the mysterious disappearance of her mouse pad. Adding plus ones and families into the mix might take the focus away from these valuable bonding opportunities.
Awkward for Single Employees
While some employees will jump at the chance to bring a plus one, others might not have someone to bring - or might prefer to keep their work and personal lives separate. This could lead to some employees feeling left out or uncomfortable, which is about as far from the Christmas spirit as you can get.
Logistics & Safety Concerns
More people means more logistics to manage. From dietary requirements to ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere, the complexities can multiply faster than you can say "Santa Claus is coming to town." And if you're planning any, shall we say, "adult" entertainment or activities, you might need to rethink those if little ones are present.
The Hybrid Approach
How to Involve Families Without Taking Away from Team Bonding
If you're feeling torn between these options like a child trying to decide which present to open first, fear not! There's a middle ground that might just save your Christmas bacon.
The Part-Time Plus One
Consider inviting families and plus ones for a portion of the event. You could start with a family-friendly afternoon tea, complete with a visit from Santa, before transitioning to an adults-only evening celebration. It's like having your Christmas cake and eating it too!
The Separate Family Day
Instead of trying to shoehorn families into your work Christmas party, why not host a separate family day? This could be earlier in the year or during the holiday season. You get to show that you value families without compromising on the team-focused nature of your Christmas do.
The Take-Home Treat
If you decide to keep the party employees-only, you could still acknowledge families by sending employees home with gifts or care packages for their loved ones. It's a thoughtful gesture that shows you care, without having to worry about whether little Johnny will knock over the Christmas tree.
Fostering a Family-Friendly Vibe
Creating a Welcoming Environment Without Direct Invitations
If you've decided to keep your guest list employees-only, there are still ways to show that you're a family-friendly company:
Timing is Everything
Host your event at a family-friendly time. An early evening party allows employees to celebrate with colleagues and still make it home for bedtime stories.
Childcare Solutions
Consider offering childcare solutions for the duration of the party. This could be a supervised kids' area at the venue or vouchers for babysitting services. It shows you understand the challenges of balancing work and family life.
Celebrate Family Milestones
Make a point of recognising significant family events during the party. A quick slideshow celebrating new additions to employees' families or other milestones can make people feel their personal lives are valued, even if their families aren't physically present.
The True Spirit of the Christmas Party
Fostering Team Bonding and Collaboration
Regardless of who's on the guest list, it's important to remember why we have Christmas parties in the first place. It's not just an excuse to wear a paper hat and eat your body weight in mince pies (although that's certainly a perk).
Team Bonding & Collaboration
Work Christmas parties provide a unique opportunity for team members to connect outside of the usual 9-to-5 grind. It's a chance for Silvia from Sales to discover that Duncan from Development actually has a cracking sense of humour once he's away from his computer screen.
Reflection & Recognition
These events are the perfect time to celebrate the company's successes and recognise the hard work that's gone into the year. It's about raising a glass to targets smashed, challenges overcome, and printer paper jams successfully navigated.
Investment in Culture
A well-planned Christmas party is more than just a nice perk - it's an investment in your company culture. It's a way of saying "We value you, we appreciate you, and we're glad you're part of our team" (but in a much more fun way than a company-wide email).
Creative Alternatives to Plus Ones
Keep the Party Fun & Team-Focused
If you've decided to keep your party team-members only, here are some ideas to make sure it's still a cracker of an event:
Awards with a Twist
Host a lighthearted awards ceremony that recognises team members for their unique contributions. Categories could include "Best Tea Maker," "Most Likely to Reply-All," or "The Human Google Award" for the colleague who always seems to have the answer.
Festive Team Challenges
Incorporate interactive games or challenges that focus on team-building and collaboration. A Christmas-themed escape room, a gingerbread house building competition, or a festive scavenger hunt can all get people working together and having fun.
Personalised Touches
Use custom branding or personalised elements to make the event feel special. Cookies with employees' faces on them, name tags with everyone's unofficial office nicknames, or a photo booth with props representing inside jokes from the year can all add that personal touch.
Balancing Team Bonding and Family Inclusivity
At the end of the day (or should we say, party), there's no one-size-fits-all approach to the plus-one predicament. The right choice depends on your company culture, your budget, and your goals for the event.
If you decide to include families and plus ones, embrace the chaos and the joy it brings. Create an event that celebrates not just your employees, but the support network that helps them succeed.
If you opt for an employees-only bash, focus on creating an unforgettable experience that strengthens team bonds and leaves everyone feeling valued and appreciated.
Whatever you decide, remember that the most important ingredient in any Christmas party isn't the guest list - it's the spirit of celebration, appreciation, and yes, a healthy dose of silliness. After all, where else can you see your CEO attempting the Macarena while wearing a reindeer antler headband?
So, whether your Christmas party ends up being a family affair or a team-only extravaganza, the key is to plan an event that reflects your company's values, appreciates your employees, and spreads a little Christmas cheer. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important research to do involving mince pies and mulled wine. Cheers to a fantastic Christmas party, whatever form it may take!
Author Bio - Article Written By Josephine Callahan
This work christmas party inspo article was proudly written by Josephine (Josie) Callahan - Lead Trend Specialist here at My Ultimate Team! Seen here on our office rooftop! With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Diploma in Events Management, Josie brings a unique blend of storytelling and logistical expertise to the world of corproate events and work parties. Over her 15-year career, Josie has turned her passion for celebration into a career of crafting unforgettable team building experiences and her articles have helped thousands of business owners and managers across Australia plan the perfect team event, from SME gatherings to large-scale themed extravaganzas for our large corporate clients. Josie stays at the forefront of party trends through active participation in industry events and her hands-on approach to research, which often involves sampling the latest cocktails and adventure experiences firsthand! Her articles on team building planning have been featured in leading Australian business journals and magazines, solidifying her status as a trusted voice in the industry.
Disclaimer: We are event planners, not accountants. The information provided in this article is intended for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice or financial guidance. My Ultimate Team Events is not a tax advisor or accountant, and this content is based on our personal experience and understanding. Every business is unique, and tax laws can be complex and subject to change. We strongly recommend that you conduct your own research and consult with a qualified accountant or tax professional to ensure compliance with all relevant tax laws and regulations before making any decisions regarding claiming work Christmas party expenses. My Ultimate Team Events accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, or liability arising from reliance on this information. Use this content as a fun guide and not as a substitute for professional advice.