Embrace a Holiday Mindset Year Round
By Beth Standlee, CEO, TrainerTainment
As the holidays approach, I’m reminded how easy connection, hospitality and gratitude are to achieve during this season. Cultivating a holiday party mindset that emphasizes these values can transform group gatherings into memorable celebrations.
At the heart of any holiday party lies the desire for connection. It’s a chance to rekindle friendships (call your past events), strengthen family bonds (be grateful for your team who delivers those events), and forge new relationships (e.g. develop new business by inviting groups who’ve never had an event in your center).
To truly embrace this mindset, consider personal interaction. Make a conscious effort to engage personally with guests. Whether it’s a warm greeting at the door or a thoughtful conversation over dinner, genuine interactions make people feel seen and valued. Are you making sure you and your staff are interacting with your guests?
Hospitality goes beyond just providing entertainment, food and beverage – it’s about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that helps every guest feel at home. Consider the following:
1. Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the small touches to enhance the experience. Include thoughtful decorations, appropriate music and comfortable seating
2. Provide a Host/ess: A great host or hostess should be attentive to each guests’ needs and do their best to anticipate and accommodate various preferences, making everyone feel cared for.
Gratitude is the underlying thread that binds connections and hospitality together. During the holiday season, it’s easy to focus on and be grateful for the number of group events in many entertainment centers. The ability to up your group game during this rich party time is a change-of-mindset opportunity to up your group game year round.
I sincerely believe Gratitude is the “Heartbeat of the Season”:
1. Open Expressions: Encourage your team to share what they are thankful for as you review the events of the previous day or week. It can be so easy to only focus on what went wrong that we often miss all the good things we did right.
2. Reflective Activities: It could be fun for all holiday events to incorporate a gratitude jar where guests can write down what they’re thankful for. This can be a tangible reminder of the fun they had having their holiday event at your center. (Use note paper that includes your brand)!
3. Express Appreciation: After the event, continue to be grateful. Send a handwritten follow-up note to the host to extend the warmth and appreciation beyond the party itself.
If you combine the concepts of friends and family parties at home with holiday work parties at a family entertainment venue, the results may provide unique and engaging events, blending the warmth of home gatherings with the excitement of a corporate celebration. Here are some additional ideas to make your events more memorable:
1. Hybrid Venue Setup: Use a family entertainment venue that offers both private rooms and open spaces. Incorporate homey touches, like comfortable seating and festive decor reminiscent of a home setting.
2. Themed Decor: Choose a holiday theme that suits both family and work settings, like a “Winter Wonderland” or “Holiday Fiesta.” Decorate with elements that evoke the coziness of home, such as string lights and personalized ornaments.
3. Interactive Activities: Combine activities suitable for both children and adults, such as a toy- or gift-making station inspired by home crafting, alongside corporate-friendly team-building games.
4. Family-Friendly Entertainment: Hire entertainers such as magicians or face painters for children, while offering a live music band or DJ for adults. Engage everyone with activities like karaoke, showcasing a mix of holiday and party songs.
5. Personal Touches: Invite employees to bring family photos for a communal display, fostering a sense of familial connection. Encourage the exchange of holiday cards or small gifts in a manner that mirrors home traditions.
6. Photo Memories: Set up a holiday-themed photo booth or Instagrammable backdrop where guests can take pictures, similar to family snapshots, providing a lasting memory for both work colleagues and family members.
7. Custom Keepsakes: Offer attendees personalized ornaments or photo frames as mementos, blending corporate branding with personal touches, similar to party favors given at family events.
By merging these elements, you create a festive and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the joy of both friendships and professional connections during the holiday season.
By adopting a holiday party mindset centered on connection, hospitality and gratitude, you can create an atmosphere where relationships are enriched and groups choose to return year after year. If you embrace these values and incorporate unique touches, your holiday celebrations will leave a lasting impression on every group guest you host during this holiday season and beyond.
Beth is the CEO of TrainerTainment LLC, a training company devoted to the family entertainment and hospitality industries. Beth and her team are focused on helping the companies they serve to make more money through sales, guest service, leadership and social media marketing training. Training products and services are delivered in person, through books and DVDs, and virtually with e-learning courses, webinar development and 24/7 online access. Visit her company’s website at www.trainertainment.com.