How Do Charitable Gifts of Retirement Account Assets Typically Work?

The holiday season means different things to different people. For many nonprofits, it’s a critical time for fundraising as year-end giving accelerates. For others, it’s one of the busiest times for providing services. For almost all, it’s a chance to pull together your team and celebrate the accomplishments of the year at a holiday party.

Here are some ideas for nonprofit holiday parties to use when planning your celebration:

Volunteer Your Time

While this idea may seem a bit off-brand for organizations that already invest so much of their time in giving back, why not spend a few hours this holiday season doing something meaningful together? This is especially a good idea for staff at nonprofits who might spend most of their time doing behind-the-scenes work, like finance, HR, or IT. Volunteering together gives them a chance to connect with and experience the mission in a more direct way. It can be a meaningful experience for the whole team that reinforces why you do what you do.

After your shift, you might consider hosting a dinner or going out for drinks so staff can enjoy some social time.

Host a Game Night

Whether virtual or in person, a game night is a great way to get some laughs out of your team. Jackbox Games, for example, offers downloadable packs of party games that can be played on a single device by up to 8 people — perfect for Zoom or in-person gatherings. From Trivia Murder Party to Quiplash, there is a wide variety of games for all audiences.

If you are going to be in person, you might consider hosting a board game night or using a platform like Kahoot to create a customized quiz. With the right questions, you can make this a fun exercise in organizational trivia as well!

Give Back

In the spirit of the holiday season, and in the spirit of the work you do, consider using this celebration as an opportunity to give back to those around you. Organize a food drive, coat drive, or toy drive. Organize groups of employees to buy gifts off of holiday wish lists for families in need. Invite the families you serve to a holiday party and organize activities for children. There are so many ways to spread the joy and bring the spirit of your organization’s mission into your end-of-year celebration.

Take a Cooking or Mixology Class

If you’re looking for a fun and interactive experience that requires a bit of skill, consider booking a cooking or mixology class. Many local chefs and restaurants now offer these services for groups. A cooking class is a great icebreaker activity and can be easily adapted to many dietary restrictions or preferences. Similarly, a local wine shop or your neighborhood distillery may be able to arrange a tasting for your group.

Host a Trivia Night

Rent out a space and host your own trivia night. This can easily be adapted to include questions about your organization, sector, and mission. It’s a great way to build friendly competition and get staff socializing. You might even invite your board members, major donors, or volunteers to join in on the fun.

Have a Potluck

A potluck is a time-honored way to celebrate together and can be especially meaningful as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. It’s a chance for employees to show off their cooking skills and is especially meaningful with a diverse staff where employees can share the foods and traditions of their families and cultures.

Support Local Businesses

Whether virtual or in person, there are tons of ways to support local businesses this holiday season. Order dinner from a local restaurant instead of a national chain. Hire a local entertainer or musician to set the mood. Purchase gift cards to local businesses as employee gifts. Get creative and use this opportunity to spread the love in your community and model the kind of supportive behavior you want to see in the world.

Have an Ugly Sweater Contest

One of the classics of holiday events, the ugly sweater contest never fails to bring a smile. You can hold one at an in-person event or ask staff to show off their best (worst?) looks over video conference. Give out prizes for the most creative and the most hideous.

Share Your Gratitude

The holiday season is also an opportunity to reflect and recognize the hard work of your team. Set aside some time to share words of gratitude for specific employees and what they’ve contributed to the organization. You might also consider having everyone write a handwritten thank you note to a colleague, or asking team members to share something they appreciate about a colleague on a shared document or slide deck.

There are so many fun ways to celebrate the holiday season with your team. Whatever you choose to do this year, I hope it’s a meaningful and joyful one for you and your whole team!