It’s hard to believe, but it’s already the time of year when companies have to start getting their year-end functions planned. And with two years of limited numbers or no festive functions at all, this year looks set to be a big celebration for all the hard work over the years. Rather than going with the tried-and-tested office parties that can be quite impersonal, here are a few unique and memorable year-end function ideas.  

1.     Scavenger hunt

Popularised by The Amazing Race, city-wide scavenger hunts are a really great teambuilding exercise, while being a lot of fun as well. It’s often best to assign teams that are quite mixed, rather than having the usual cliques having out together. This creates a nice opportunity for bonding. You can hire organisations to arrange the scavenger hunt, or you can give it a personal touch with clues and prizes that are specific to your particular business. You can finish with drinks and snacks, as well as a fun prizegiving.

2.     Make a mural

If you have quite a creative team on your hands, then you might want to consider making a mural. This is both fun to do, and leaves a lasting legacy. For this activity, you get everyone together, supply paint and brushes, and then unleash them on a blank canvas of sorts. A blank wall in the office is a great option, but they might require a bit of brainstorming and teamwork to get it right. Throw in some drinks, snacks and music to make a great day of it. 

3.     Spa day

Pamper your employees with a wonderful spa experience – they’ll appreciate the gesture and it also goes a long way to improving mental wellbeing. There are some great spas that offer corporate wellness programmes which include a massage session; Ancient Arabian mud Rasul ritual; scalp, neck and shoulder pressure point relief; hydrating hand and foot treatment; African Marula skin conditioning back massage; de-stress tension relief massage, deep tissue massage, mani and pedis. They will usually include a healthy meal to bring the team together. Some of the benefits of the spa day for a year-end function include:

·        Improved employee health

·        Better focus, dedication and output

·        Quality and pace of productivity

·        Boost in morale and motivation

·        Reduced stress levels

4.     Workplace trivia contest

This will take some preparation time but it’s well worth the effort. Assign teams for a workplace trivia contest that includes questions specific to individuals and the work environment – but don’t get too personal! For something extra special, host it at another destination with a meal and drinks.

5.     Awards ceremony

In a similar vein, you can get everyone to dress up in their ‘awards season’ finest and host an awards’ ceremony for all the employees. This is a great excuse to dress up and will make all the staff feel really appreciated. You’ll have to come up with awards for each and every one, making them personal so that they feel their worth is acknowledged. Some advice for arranging this:

6.     Beer or Wine Tasting

If you have teetotallers on staff, you could switch this option out with some chocolate or dessert tasting – or similar. However, if the end-of-year function is inevitably going to be about having a few cocktails, then you might as well make it a classy affair. Organise some locally made wines and craft beer, and get in a connoisseur to guide the events, and let everyone have a bit of fun.

7.     Run an auction

This is a really unique concept for your next office function, and is particularly great if you have some sponsored goods and a competitive workplace. Hand out a number of auction tokens to each staff member and then host a fun auction – these can be any manner of goods, from wine through to hours off. The great thing about this one is that it works for virtual parties as well.

For the ultimate year-end function, get in touch with Evolve Day Spa and find out more about their incredible corporate wellness programme suited to all types of staff sizes and preferences.