Inclusive Christmas Social Ideas for Work in London | Art Workshops at Your Office
If you're the person in charge of the work Christmas social, I feel for you. There's always a problem. Someone always finds the pub too loud, another one doesn't want to do the quiz, and someone quietly wonders whether they can slip out early.
You put so much effort in, and you just can't please everyone. So you're on a bit of a mission - to try and find the most inclusive activity there is! Just in the small hopes that people will show up, people will have fun and you can also do something you want to do.
My name's China and I run festive art workshops for teams across London. I come to your office, bring all the materials with me so you literally don't need to do a thing. Unless you want to bring some snacks and drinks of course! Here's how I make them inclusive for everyone, and what actually happens on the day. Read below so you can have a look at our inclusive Christmas social ideas.
The quick version
Who it's for: teams of 10 to 30 people, at any skill level
Where: I come to your office
How long: around 90 minutes
What you make: 2 to 3 pieces each, which are baubles, cards or drawings, and everyone takes them home
Price: from £25 per person
Booking: some December dates are already taken, so book early
What "inclusive" actually means to me
"I can't draw" is completely fine. I hear it before almost every workshop, and it's usually said with a nervous laugh or defensiveness. The good thing about these festive / Christmas workshops is you don't need experience! Because I'll teach you everything you need to know to get a good outcome.
It's festive without being religious. The workshops are about the season, the colours and the sense of occasion. It brings everyone together from every background which means we don't have to worry about offending someone else's beliefs, they can still make something and give it a different use!
It doesn't depend on drinks. Because I have to carry everything in on public transport, I tend not to include drinks (it'll be a tad too heavy) But that doesn't mean you can't provide them yourself. This activity isn't centred around alcohol so you can include the non-drinkers as well as the ones who like a tipple or five.
There's no forced networking or awkward icebreakers. People chat as they paint, and quieter colleagues can get stuck into the task and join in at their own pace. No-one is forced to feel uncomfortable, and everyone is so focused on their artwork that they're not actually looking at anyone else's. You are in your own little bubble and you can chat to your colleagues if you want to.
Everyone chooses the level they want. Some people make careful, detailed pieces and others go bold and silly. Both are welcome! If you can't draw the shape, you can ask myself and I'll do the hard work for you. You just need to enjoy the process and have some fun!
Choose The Right Inclusive Christmas Social Idea
Festive drawing class (£25 per person): the simplest option. It's relaxed, easy to follow and great if you want something low-key. It's a pencil drawing class with festive themes and we'll make it fun and interactive to get that festive spirit.
Watercolour Christmas cards (£40 per person): people paint their own cards to send or keep. I'll guide you through a couple of templates and you can either do your own thing after that, or repeat a few of the demo's. This is a great way to make something for someone you love, and have an artist guide you.
Bauble painting (£45 per person): the most popular choice. Everyone paints their own baubles and takes them home wrapped and ready for the tree. These are so much fun, a little bit different and many people actually make them as gifts for people! So many possibilities for fun and play in the Christmas art workshop.
Each session runs for around 90 minutes (except the drawing one, that's recommended for an hour) and everyone finishes with two or three pieces. Have a look at my festive workshops page for more.
What's included
I bring everything, so all you need is a space with tables and chairs and a team:
All materials and paints
Table cloths and aprons
Packaging so everyone can take their work home
Music
Photographs of the day
What it looks like in real life
Lisa Eldridge Beauty. This was one of the most creative sessions I've run. Everyone that wasn't taking it too seriously so they just went for it! The workshops where people don't beat themself up are my favourite and they always produce the best results. I loved seeing their work displayed around their office and studio afterwards. One person painted themselves and their partner as cartoons, which had the whole room laughing.
I
KEA. I ran this one in three rounds of 20 minutes each, so the whole team could take part without everyone stopping work at once. It was a fantastic space with really happy staff, and lots of people made their pieces as presents for others. It was great for everyone to have a chance and switch of from work, even if it was for a short time!
These are the moments I love most. The point isn't a perfect piece of art. It's the laughing, the swapping of ideas and the pride when someone holds up something they didn't think they could make. It's stunning.
Tips for planning your team's Christmas art workshop
Book early. Some December dates are already booked, and they go quickly.
Tell your team it's for beginners. A single line in the invite about "no experience needed" helps hesitant people relax.
Pick a room with tables. I bring the rest. Unless you want refreshments, you can bring those!
Choose your format. If you can't stop the whole office at once, I can run the session in shorter rounds, as I did at IKEA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Christmas art workshop for work cost?Prices start at £25 per person for a festive drawing class, £40 for watercolour card decorating and £45 for bauble painting. Groups start at 10 people, so a group of 10 would cost from £250 for drawing, £400 for watercolour or £450 for baubles.
Do we need to be good at art?No. The workshops are designed for complete beginners, and I guide the whole group step by step.
How long does the workshop last?Around 90 minutes. In that time, people usually create two or three baubles, cards or drawings.
Can you come to our office?Yes. I'm a mobile service and I come to your workplace anywhere in London.
How many people can take part?Between 10 and 30 people, so that everyone gets personal help when they need it.
What's included in the price?Materials, paints, table cloths, aprons, packaging to take pieces home, music and photographs.
How far in advance should we book?As early as you can. A few December dates are already booked.
Is The Workshop Accessible?
If your colleague can sit and use at least one hand, they can do this class!
Ready to plan your team's Christmas party?
If you'd like something creative, relaxed and welcoming for everyone, I'd love to hear from you. Fill out my enquiry form and I'll get back to you with availability.
You can also read about my corporate art workshops and team building sessions.
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