The spookiest night of the year is just around the corner – and, this year, October 31 falls on a Monday, which means that you’ll likely be celebrating Halloween in the office! But this doesn’t mean that you’ll have to compromise between productivity and fun on this special day.
With the right tips, you can take this opportunity to organise team-building activities, Halloween-themed games, and, ultimately, plan a night your whole team will remember for years to come.
Get started with these ideas!
Plan for Halloween-Themed Games and Activities
Although Halloween is an ancient Celtic tradition originating from the Samhain festival, this holiday has become a mainstream event over the past years. And, today, you won’t be short of Halloween-themed games and ideas to take your party to the next level!
Depending on your office culture and the industry you operate in, some great ideas include planning a Halloween bingo, launching a themed trivia game, or organising a murder mystery event. Just remember to keep the games simple and fun, so that everyone can participate!
Make It a Fancy Dress Halloween Party (but a Work-Appropriate One!)
If you wait all year to dress up at Halloween, you are certainly not the only one! This holiday is ideal to let your creative mind run free and bring to life the most complex, funniest, or sophisticated costume. However, when sending out the invitations to your party, remember that, after all, it will be an office party and, as such, it will need to be context-appropriate.
To avoid misunderstandings, consider giving your team some halloween makeup inspiration or suggestions for appropriate costumes. If your employees have customer-facing roles, consider choosing a theme for their costumes, such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or the Addams Family leitmotifs. An alternative way to keep a theme is to order in Halloween T-shirts for your staff which would make the set up easier.
Pro Tip – Wish to take the party to the next level and incentives your team members to come up with original costumes? A Halloween costume competition can be a great idea!
Opt for Reusable or Eco-Friendly Decorations
Nothing creates a spooky and fun atmosphere like Halloween decorations! And, of course, involving your team members in decorating your office can be a great way to boost engagement and share an experience together.
However, single-use and PVC-based Halloween decorations can clash with some of your business’s core values, such as sustainability. Consider reducing your environmental impact by switching to reusable or natural decorations, which might include fallen leaves and tree branches, fall produce, flowers, and solar-powered lights.
Take the Opportunity To Organise Team Building Activities
Halloween is certainly a fun holiday, but it can also be an unmissable opportunity to strengthen the engagement, communication, and teamwork of your team members – especially in today’s unstable job market!
Indeed, according to recent HR statistics, only 21% of employees feel engaged with their employer or company, and their levels of engagement have been decreasing since the start of the pandemic.
Luckily, team-building activities can boost engagement, which can double your company revenue and increase the chances of corporate success. But how can you combine team-building activities with Halloween-themed games?
Some great ideas include planning activities such as fall wreath-making and cupcake-decorating classes. Alternatively, you can give back to the community and the environment by organising team clean-up events and fundraisers.
Plan a Halloween-Themed Lunch
No party is complete without food and drinks – especially at Halloween! Consider hosting an office lunch that boasts some of the best Halloween-inspired finger foods, dishes, and grazing boards.
From chocolate eyeballs and gummy worms to ghost cupcakes, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and mummy hot dogs, there are endless options to set up an unforgettable Halloween buffet (or even host an office based trick-or-treat game!).
Host a Virtual Halloween Party for Your Remote Teams
With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, it has become all the more difficult for businesses to keep their employees engaged and in the loop. Luckily, thanks to new applications and online games, you can now involve your global team in your Halloween celebrations!
