Before the ‘silly season’ gets well underway, we’re sharing our suggestions for an alcohol-free Christmas party.
Alcohol consumption has significantly declined in recent years. It’s estimated that around 20% of the UK population don’t drink alcohol at all. And amongst young people, this figure is even higher. In fact, 26% of 16-24 year olds are completely tee-total. With stats like these, we can’t help by feel the ‘boozy’ office party of past feels out of touch with the 2023 workforce.
So, for those office party planners amongst you, racking your brains for a festive celebration that ticks all the boxes, allow us to share our ideas for an alcohol-free work Christmas party.
Swap Wine Tasting for Mindful Chocolate Tasting
With even more flavour complexity than red wine, chocolate is the perfect ingredient for a sensory ‘tasting’ experience. So forget wine tasting and consider chocolate tasting for your next group activity.
Our Mindful Chocolate Tasting workshops are a huge hit amongst clients looking for an immersive, sensory experience. Combining the principles of mindful eating and professional chocolate tasting, you’ll (mindfully) taste a variety of handmade single-origin chocolate. You’ll be tasting chocolate that our chocolatier uses in her own chocolate making and has been delivered to your office (or home) ahead of the session. The chocolate tasting packs you’ll will receive also make thoughtful Christmas gifts for your colleagues. Find out more about Mindful Chocolate Tasting here.
Enjoy a day of relaxing Office Massage
The festive season can be a hectic and stressful time. A relaxing office massage won’t tick off your Christmas to-do list, but it will offer a restorative respite, which your colleagues will thank you for. One of our experienced massage therapists will come to your office for the day, treating your team to 15 minute head, neck and shoulder massages in their massage chair. A well-deserved treat for the end of the year, you could enjoy a massage before heading out to your alcohol-free Christmas party. Find out more about Office Massage here.
Try something new – Anyone for life drawing?
Colleagues can bond and have fun over so much more than alcohol. Art classes, a competitive round of Crazy Golf or even a cooking class are all memorable experiences to share. Ask around your team what hobbies or interests they’d like to explore or share. You never know, there may be some budding artists, chefs or sportspeople amongst your team you didn’t even know about.
Invest in Alcohol-free alternatives
Abstaining for alcohol doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy an alcohol free Christmas party! The alcohol-free market has boomed in years, with so much delicious choice for the tee-totallers. Be all means, plan a Christmas party bonanza complete with dance floor and a free bar – but ensure the bar is well-stocked with alcohol free alternatives. We guarantee the lager drinkers amongst you will love Lucky Saint beer. Sipsmith does delicious, botanical booze-free gin. And any decent mixologist will be able to rustle up some delicious mocktails.
Give your Colleagues a Festive Day Off
Call is a ‘duvet day’ or a day for Christmas shopping and festive admin – consider a day off in December for your staff. Typically a quieter time of year for many businesses, a day off may not be as sociable as a team get-together, but it could be a cheaper alternative if budget is tight. In our Wellbeing for Winter workshop, we learn that up to 20% of people can suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). A day off from work could be a welcome addition to their winter ‘toolkit’ to maintain their mental health and mood over the festive period.
If you’re looking for more ways to support your colleagues over the Christmas period, you may wish to check out some of our workshops below.
Marking World Mental Health Day at Work