Quick Pro Tips
The Shift Online is now Shifting to the Hybrid situation. Here are some quick pro tips to consider when you are planning a fun event, celebration, hybrid holiday party, training, meeting or an event.
- Make sure no one is feeling left out
- Engagement for both the in-person and virtual groups
- Everyone has a voice and opportunity to participate
- What are the different needs for each group?
- Can everyone see and hear each other?
- Everyone on a device for some engagement options
- What do you need to send ahead of the event to prepare everyone?
- Be respectful, use names, pay attention!
- Don’t forget to check the chat for the virtual group
- Consider how you will work with the breakout groups
- Consider a variety of learning engagement needs
- Work with a team, to support each group
Let’s “get together” to celebrate!
Any time of the year you may be celebrating something. I thought this would be a great time to talk about planning a hybrid holiday party. Whether you are planning this for family, friends or colleagues, I am sharing ideas and quick pro tips to help you put together a fun and festive event for everyone, even if you have a mix of in-person and online attendees.
With constant changes and uncertainty, you may have a combination of people attending online and in-person. This context requires creative solutions. These quick tips and creative ideas will help you host a party for the hybrid situation of attendees together, in-person and virtual. Offering a party that both groups can attend, gives your guests the option to decide for themselves, based on what they are most comfortable with.
Hybrid is a different situation.
With some people joining in-person and others online, let’s plan fun activities that everyone can be involved in. This will take some intentional prep ahead of time, but it will all be worthwhile! If you are getting these ideas for a last-minute get-together, many of these ideas will help you out! When you see how everyone is engaged and having a great time, you will be glad that you planned for the mixed group!
Make sure when planning games, that you keep everyone in mind. You could ask for everyone to be on their phone or in front of their computers (even if some are in the same room or same house).
If you are planning ahead
You can send out a box or instructions for folks to prepare before the party. Maybe it’s going to be an ugly sweater or pyjama party. You might send out fun hats or t-shirts with some yummy treats that everyone can enjoy together.
Let’s get this party started!
Some ideas can include:
- Scavenger hunt,
- Dance party,
- Secret Santa gift game,
- Never Have I Ever Holiday Edition (i.e. Never have I ever re-gifted)
- Pick ‘This or That’ Holiday Edition (i.e. White lights or Coloured lights)
Some other activities that everyone can participate in together could also include creating a favourite holiday recipe or a demonstration of how to make their favourite drink. The possibilities are endless!
Online games ideas:
Zoom and other platforms also include built in Apps you can access as well. Don’t forget the tools, such as annotation, and breakout rooms, to include with your planning. However the hybrid context will include adaptations.
You will find many more free games online, just Google whatever game you like and there is most likely a free online version. Just send out the link and everyone can play together! If you’re having prizes for the winners, be sure that you have their address ahead of time to make it easier to send.
Make sure everyone can see each other…
If you’re putting on a gathering for a large group, you might want to hook your computer up to your TV so that everyone is visible to those who are attending online.
Large group or small…
If it’s a much larger group, you can always create online breakout sessions so people can jump from room to room. Create some themed rooms to get the conversations going such as, What’s Your Favourite Holiday Tradition? Coloured or White Lights, Eggnog or Mulled Wine…use your imagination to come up with some fun and interesting themes.
If your group is smaller, it can be as simple as enjoying a drink or a movie together or decorating cookies. Whatever you come up with is sure to inspire joy and make people feel closer for this holiday season.
Planning is key.
No matter the size of your group or the activities you want to share, it’s good to plan ahead. This will ensure everyone has a good time and you’re not scrambling to find links to send, and that everyone is prepared. Do you need to mail something ahead of time to those who are not in-person? Do you need to make sure the online group has downloaded the apps? Will the in-person group each have an individual device? Set up your hybrid event for success, so that everyone can relax and have a fun, festive time!
Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy the time you spend with your people and have a happy, safe and healthy holiday season.
I would love to hear how your hybrid holiday party went. You can add comments on YouTube under this post’s video.
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If you missed it, here’s the blog post from last week: Tips for Taking a Learning Break
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Patricia Regier is the founder of Regier Educational Services. Expertise in helping facilitators engage the variety of learning types in your audience. Education includes a Master of Adult Education, a BA in Psychology, and twenty years experience developing and facilitating workplace, community and collaborative training. Learning and Development Consultant, Facilitator, and Master Virtual Producer. Utilizing teaching adults best practices, and innovative multi-media resources to emphasize your message.
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