Interactive virtual party hampers for the festive season

2020 has been a challenging year for businesses and their employees alike, but don't give up on the idea of an end-of-year work party just because your teams can't meet up in person! There are plenty of ways to bid the year farewell and say thank you to your colleagues for their continued hard work.

“Many teams have been working from home now for over half a year and will be missing social interactions with colleagues and friends," says Just Eat for Business's Financial Director Tom Squire. "Whilst ‘normal’ festive celebrations won’t be taking place, a virtual Christmas party is still a great opportunity to engage and reward teams for their hard work,

"But simply sending a bottle of wine and getting on a video chat really isn’t going to cut it. With a little creativity, there are loads of opportunities to engage colleagues in something fun and festive."

So, how can you host a lively, engaging Christmas party while everyone stays at home? Here are some of our top tips:

1. Set a theme and a dress code to get everyone in the festive mood.

2. Step away from your desks to help your teams feel more energised.

3. Keep it short and sweet - no one likes long, awkward Zoom calls.

4. Make it personal so that each of your colleagues feel valued.

5. Provide delicious food. That's a no-brainer!

You've probably already done enough virtual quizzes for a lifetime, so here are some more exciting interactive, food-themed virtual party hampers to enjoy with your teams this December:

Virtual Classes

Step away from your desks and into the kitchen for a fun-filled live cooking adventure. Whether you want to bake something sweet or mix up your favourite cocktails, our festive Pantry Packages are perfect for your end-of-year bash. Hop onto Zoom and let our vendor partners guide you and your teams to tasty success!

Dinner Ladies

Create some Christmas classics with the Dinner Ladies! Choose from a range of wintery classes where you and your teams will be able to make:

- Mince pies

- Festive canapes and cocktails

- Chocolate profiteroles

- Chocolate truffles

Prices start from £55 per person and include nationwide home delivery of the ingredients and a virtual cooking class with the Dinner Ladies team. Enjoy!

Meringue Girls

Meringue Girls create adorable mini meringues all year round, but their festive treats are so cute they're almost too good to eat - almost...

This December book in a virtual class with the Meringue Girls team and you and your colleagues will be making miniture Christmas trees out of eggs and sugar in no time!

Prices for this interactive bundle start at £80 per person, and everyone will be able to make around 100 meringues in total. Delivering UK-wide.

Pasta Evangelists

A delicious bowl of fresh pasta is the ultimate winter comfort food, and now you and your remote teams can have a go at making your own pastas at home with Pasta Evangelists!

Choose the ravioli cook-along for a beginner's intro to pasta or opt for the eight-piece intermediate class that includes pappardelle, gnocchi, and more.

Prices start at £37 per person, which includes nationwide delivery of all the ingredients and tools you need to make them!

GOAT

Cooking not your style? How about a virtual cocktail making masterclass with the GOAT team? Get ready to mix, shake, stir, garnish, and drink! Choose from the classics, typical South American drinks, or Great Gatsby-themed tipples.

Want to get everyone in the festive mood? Opt for the Christmas cocktail class where you'll all learn how to make Sherry Cobblers, Egg Nog, and more.

Each box comes with the ingredients you need to create delicious cocktails, and we're delivering them nationwide. There's a one-time £100 virtual class fee for groups of up to 10 participants. However, box prices are inclusive of the virtual class fee if you purchase more than 10.

Tasting Experiences

After something a little more chilled? Sit back, relax, and enjoy with our tasting experiences, led by those who know their product the best: our vendor partners!

Cheese Geek

Make your virtual Christmas party a little more sophisicated with cheese, wine, and beer tasting experiences from the Cheese Geek.

Let your colleagues choose between two boxes: the Clint or the Ozzy. The first comes with three delicious cheeses and accompanying wine pairings, or opt for the latter if you prefer a cold beer instead. Your boxes can be delivered nationwide and personalised with bespoke inserts or branding.

Classes start from £240 per person and can be as interactive as you want!

Astrum Wines

Astrum Wines' virtual tasting experiences are another brilliant choice for your end-of-year work do. Each tasting will last for 90 minutes and include some quiz elements to keep your colleagues on their toes.

Choose between restaurant quality and premium quality wines - each box comes with four bottles, two red and two white, and can be delivered to homes across the UK.

Prices start from £65 per person with an order minimum of 40 boxes. Cheers!

DIY Meal Kits

Create your winter favourites at your own pace with our festive DIY meal kits. They're more budget-friendly that our above recommendations, but equally as fun! You and your teams will receive everything you need to create some delicious treats, delivered straight to your homes. Whether you want to dial into Zoom for a company cook-along or simply share photos of your creations once complete, it's up to you!

Jimmy Garcia Catering

Pretend you're living it up in the Swiss Alps with an apres ski fondue kit from Jimmy Garcia Catering, complete with baked Vacherin Mont D'or cheese, sourdough baguette, new potatoes, and homemade pickles. Want something a little different? Jimmy Garcia Catering has a wide range of other festive DIY kits like:

- Fireside s'mores

- Mulled wine

- Cured salmon

Perhaps you want to treat your teams to the ultimate Christmas dinner - Jimmy Garcia Catering has a box for that too!

Everything can be delivered nationwide, and prices start from £45 per person.

BakesterBox

Time to put that apron on and get baking with step-by-step recipe boxes from BakesterBox. Get your teams making delicious wintery bakes like:

- Cinnamon buns

- Gingerbread biscuits

- Christmas cakes

- Gourmet cookies

- And more!

Each box can be delivered UK-wide and comes with all the ingredients you need, as well as easy-to-follow instructions. There are vegan and no-gluten options available too! These boxes are ideal for a budget-friendly virtual party with prices starting as low as £20 per person.

Country City Catering

Making a beautiful gingerbread house has never been so easy! Country City Catering's DIY kit comes with pre-baked gingerbread walls, a roof, and 'stain glass' windows. All you and your teams need to do is assemble the pieces at home and decorate to your own personal styles with candy, icing, and fairy lights.

Each box comes with instructions, can be delivered nationwide, and costs just £35 per person.

Interested in our interactive party hampers? Get in touch with your Account Manager to order or email foodguru@citypantry.com.

Happy holidays!