It may be too early to have Christmas on the work agenda, but with more than two-thirds of UK workers saying festive celebrations help them feel more connected to their colleagues, experts are urging businesses to start planning for Christmas now.
When should businesses put up their Christmas decorations? Experts weigh in
To help businesses plan ahead, the artificial tree experts at Christmas Tree World have revealed everything businesses need to know about decorating the office for the festive season.
When should offices start decorating for Christmas?
There are no rules about when offices should start decorating for Christmas, but planning should begin well before the decorations come out of storage. Ideally, businesses should start thinking about their festive plans in September or October, particularly if they need to order new decorations, organise a team activity or coordinate a day when employees will be in the office together.
As for putting the decorations up, late November is a good window. This gives employees plenty of time to enjoy the festive atmosphere without the office feeling Christmassy for months on end.
David Sumner, Sales Manager at Christmas Tree World, has shared his top tips for decorating the office ahead of the festive season:
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Make decorating a collaborative experience: “Not only is decorating the office yourself a great money-saver, but it’s also an excellent way to bring your employees closer together. You could host a wreath and garland-making class, bauble painting, Christmas tree decorating, or make it into a festive social.”
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Choose a theme or colour scheme: “One of the easiest ways to replicate that professionally decorated look when designing your space is to stick to a specific theme or colour palette. Incorporating your company’s branding is an excellent way to mix work and play at Christmas. Use baubles, ribbons, and other decorations in your brand’s colours, or create a custom tree topper featuring your company logo.”
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Invest in an artificial Christmas tree: “One of the benefits of decorating the office yourself is that your decorations can be reused year after year. Likewise, a high-quality artificial Christmas tree can last around 10 years, making it an excellent long-term investment for your office.”
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Decorate communal spaces first: Start with the areas everyone uses, such as reception areas, kitchens and meeting rooms. Focusing on decorations in communal areas ensures everyone can enjoy the decorations and creates a festive atmosphere throughout.
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Add wreaths and garlands: “Whether you’re hosting a decorate-it-yourself contest or opting for pre-lit wreaths and pre-decorated garlands to save time, these simple items can easily transform your space. Drape garlands across desks, noticeboards and window frames to bring festivity to every corner of the room.”
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Create a window display: “Creating a Christmas window display is a fantastic way to spread holiday cheer both inside and outside the office. It adds a welcoming touch for employees in the office and draws attention to your space, especially if you’re based in a central location.”
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Brighten up your space: “Never underestimate the power of Christmas lights! Even something as simple as using warm white lights to border your walls will transform the office into a twinkling wonderland. If you want to go the extra mile, you could make a cosy corner with a pre-lit blossom tree, invest in colour-changing Twinkly lights to give your office a unique glow, or make a frosty ambience with cool icicle lights.”
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Don’t forget desks: “Allowing employees to add subtle festive touches to their own desks can make the office feel more personal and inclusive. Small decorations, such as mini trees, festive stationery, or lights, can allow employees to express their personalities in the workplace.”