Ahhh fall time in America. Family, football, and all things pumpkin spice, of course. But don’t you know? The pumpkin spice activities started way back in August—it’s November! And that means the holiday season is in full swing. The only debate these days is when Christmas music is allowed. (At Fun Services Midwest, we prefer the day after Thanksgiving and not a day sooner). And where there’s holiday season, there’s holiday PARTIES. And where there’s holiday parties, we have holiday party ideas for you and your people—friends, family, classmates, colleagues, employees, and more. In fact, we’re going to take time to highlight ways you can take any holiday party above and beyond in 2021. It’s a year where everyone deserves to let loose and have some fun. The fun times might begin with casino games and crafts, but the meaning of this season means so much more.
When we say “this” season, we do mean THIS season and moment in history. A time that not everyone who has walked this earth has lived to experience: a global pandemic.
But in the aftermath of a virus infiltrating society, there’s one thing no disease can take from us: our joy.
There’s perhaps no better time than the holidays to plan such joy among those you love. So let’s take some of Halloween’s witches brew and squeeze out whatever creative juices are leftover. Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and your people are thirsty.
Casino Games for Employees
Let’s break down “your people” into a few different segments: employees, kiddos, and family.
Beginning at the workplace, we think it’s fair to say the standard Happy Hour has gone a little dry. Most colleagues know what to expect: at a bar or drinks at the office—some standard conversation and enlightening others that “The family is great!” There’s nothing inherently wrong with this standard get-together. But we think with a little more effort, your team can do so much better.
So if you’re the boss, let’s channel some Michael Scott kind of fun. (Without the cringe-worthy one-liners). And if you’re an employee, let’s put our Party Planning Committee hats on.
Here are six ideas to begin dreaming about in the office this holiday season.
- James Bond themed “Casino Royale” at the office.
- Pumpkin carving contest (which totally still works after Halloween).
- Turkey Taste Test. (Everyone brings in leftover turkey after Thanksgiving and you all vote on the winner)
- Hot chocolate station and Polar Express viewing at work—everyone SHUTS OFF WORK during the movie.
- Create a Cornucopia. Because who has actually ever done that? Take a trip to a farmer’s market, as a team, and then assemble your cornucopias together to take home.
- Rent a food truck! Find the most “Holiday-appropriate” food truck in town, and reserve them for a wonderful Happy Hour substitute.
In case you need some assistance for any of these Happy Hour substitutes, Fun Services Midwest has you covered. Our inflatable rentals will automatically take any of these options above and bounce them over the top. In addition . . . that first “James Bond” idea goes PERFECTLY with our suite of casino games on hand. It’s one of our more popular reservations during the colder months—from blackjack to roulette, reserve any of our casino games ASAP before they’re gone for good. We promise it’s what Bond would do in your situation.
Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
Office aside, there’s one place we can all go to, in our minds, when it comes to the holidays: childhood. In fact, did you know there’s a reason our country is obsessed with pumpkin spice?
Yep! Just take a look at this quote from an October 2018 article on LiveScience.com:
“The answer has to do with how our brains respond to nostalgia, marketing, and the sweet taste that often comes along with the spice,” said Catherine Franssen, Assistant Professor of Biopsychology and Director of Neurostudies at Longwood University in Virginia.
If a director of neurostudies said it, we’ll take their word for it. But how cool is that? A real reason people love these sweet and warm holiday drinks is because they remind them of growing up! Those first childhood memories of the holidays—our first taste of anything pumpkin, our first time outlining our hand as a turkey, or our first time having the whole family over to celebrate. We think it’s time you channel those same feelings with more than a drink, but Thanksgiving crafts for kids AND adults to enjoy.
- Create your own Thanksgiving place cards—with glitter and paint, of course—for when everyone comes over for dinner!
- Corn-on-the-cob hand-outs. Cut out bubble wrap in the shape of corn the day before, color the bubble wrap yellow with marker, and hand it out to friends during the season.
- DIY cornucopias. That’s right! See our above idea with employees, and translate it over to your sweet kiddos.
- Turkey veggie tray. On Thanksgiving, make it easier for kids to stomach their vegetables (which we’ll all need) and spread out all your veggies in the shape of a turkey.
Just to name a few 🙂 Have any more ideas? Contact us today with your favorite holiday crafts or party ideas!
Time Spent with Family
No big list of ideas here. Just a reminder of what the holidays are all about: time spent with those you love most. It might be your immediate family, or, if you live away from home, could be some of your closest friends. After all, “Friends are the family you choose.”
Either way, it’s never too early to start solidifying your holiday plans. As for Fun Services Midwest, we know that casino games and inflatable rentals can only add to the holiday festivities. But no matter what’s on your itinerary in November or December of 2021, just make sure that you soak up every second. Together.
Because not too long ago, we had a country that would do anything just to be together again.
And it’s time we get back to that reality in full. Happy Holidays!
