5 Tips To Throw An Inclusive Holiday Party

Dr. Nika White • December 16, 2022

At NWC, we love a good holiday party. Celebrating with one another and connecting across our differences is an important part of our company culture. We’re a fully remote team and don’t often get to be in the same room. So when we find the time to be together, you know we’re having fun!

If throwing a holiday party and celebrating with your team, friends, and family is on the agenda, then read on because I have several tips to share. Hosting an inclusive holiday party sounds simple but there are several details hosts and businesses miss that can make a holiday event feel non-inclusive, dismissive, and uncomfortable. The holiday seasons are about belonging and encouraging friends, family, and colleagues alike to gather and feel welcome in intimate settings.


Here are 5 tips to make sure your holiday party feels warm, inclusive, and mindful.

1. Be mindful of all holidays and those who choose not to celebrate

If you’re based in North America, you know there are many holidays celebrated this time of year. Christmas is the predominant holiday but it isn’t the only one. When throwing a party, don’t just center your holiday festivities around Christmas. Be sure to include Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, too.

For those who don’t know, Kwanzaa is a holiday most commonly celebrated by Black Americans
in late December of each year. The holiday is founded on seven principles:

1. Umoja (unity)
2. Kujichagulia (self-determination)
3. Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
4. Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
5. Nia (purpose)
6. Kuumba (creativity)
7. Imani (faith)

Hanukkah is another holiday you should be mindful of this season. Hanukkah is a Jewish
holiday observed for eight days at the end of December. The holiday is widely celebrated and is considered one of the most important holidays of the year for those of the Jewish faith. In addition, some people choose not to celebrate holidays altogether. Holiday celebrations can feel triggering, uncomfortable, or bring up less-than-desirable memories for some people. It’s important not to assume that someone celebrates a certain holiday because they are a person of a particular faith. Try your best to respect and acknowledge when someone doesn’t want to participate in a given holiday. You likely work, live, and have connections with those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or choose to not celebrate at all. If you throw a holiday party, be compassionate about where your attendees are this season in order to help them feel seen, heard, and respected.

2. Use culturally-inclusive decorations

As mentioned in the previous section, you’ll likely have attendees at the holiday party who don’t celebrate Christmas or who choose to participate in other cultural holidays this time of year. Be inclusive by educating yourself and your team on how to incorporate culturally-inclusive decorations that can make everyone feel welcome. Banners that say “happy holidays” instead of focusing on one holiday can be a mindful choice.

Decorating the office or your home with menorahs and Kwanzaa colors as well as Christmas trees can help the space feel dynamic, welcoming, and not just focused on one holiday.

You may also wish to invite colleagues or attendees to bring their own cultural relics like menorahs or kinaras or traditional foods eaten during their holiday festivities. This can take the pressure off of you and the party organizers while allowing attendees to co-create an inclusive atmosphere at the gathering.

3. Be mindful of food and dietary preferences

Almost nothing is worse than coming to a holiday party and feeling like there’s nothing for you to eat. Not being mindful of the religious and cultural food your attendees are expecting can leave some with a bad taste in their mouths.

When choosing your party menu, be mindful of offering halal, kosher, and vegetarian options. For those who don’t know, halal is an Arabic word meaning “permissible” and is related to how food is prepared, in particular meat. Practicing Muslims are not supposed to eat meat that is not halal and offering meat without this label can make some guests uncomfortable or unwilling to enjoy your holiday menu. Ensure your Muslim guests have certified halal food available at the party to help them relax and enjoy the culinary experience.

Similar to halal, kosher is a set of dietary laws that Jewish people must follow as it pertains to their food choices. Make sure the recipes you prepare or the catered meals you order are certified kosher in order to help your Jewish attendees feel comfortable and satisfied with the food at your event.

Beyond religion, another issue to be aware of is that some people prefer alcohol at social events while others do not. Offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so those at your event can enjoy drinks that will enable them to relax and feel at ease at the party.

4. Offer spaces for silence, solitude, and privacy

Holiday parties are designed to be fun and entertaining for all, but some people may need to find spaces to relax, refresh themselves, or handle private affairs.

Leave room at the holiday party for some attendees to escape or find private spaces like open office rooms or an outdoor patio. Some attendees may be extroverted and enjoy speaking with all sorts of attendees all night, while others may be more introverted and would appreciate breaks between socializing. Offering spaces for those who need a social break can be a very inclusive choice at your event.

In addition, you may have new parents at the party who need to attend to their children’s needs.
Rooms where mothers can breastfeed, quiet spaces for newborns to take a nap, or places for young children to play can help parents feel the event is more hospitable to their family’s needs.

Leaving opportunities for attendees to slip in and out of the party allows them to feel safe to take care of themselves. You can rest assured as the host that they can return to the festivities when they’re ready. Being inclusive means being mindful that people have different needs and being open, kind, and accommodating to their needs in a group setting.

5. Invite people to the party even if you’re not sure they’ll come

One small but mighty act of kindness and inclusion is simply inviting people to your holiday party, even if you’re unsure if the attendee will say yes or if they have other plans. Inviting people and being open to their presence can send a message of warmth, belonging, and inclusion.

Not everyone will ask to attend a party. Some people feel more comfortable when they are invited. For those occupying marginalized identities, it can feel intimidating to ask to go to a party where they may be the only one. Ensure guests are welcome to attend and that their cultural needs will be respected and seen. Small acts of reassurance and kindness can go a long way toward building inclusive cultures at work and in one’s personal life.

Which of these tips will you try?

No matter if you choose one or all of them, attendees will notice that you made an effort to consider them, acknowledge their culture, give them space to be authentic, and feel seen. The holidays are a time to come together and rejoice. Creating as many opportunities as you can to honor and invite the different people in your life to celebrate and be together can be a powerful step toward building inclusion and belonging.

Read more from The Human Shift on Substack, where I share long-form essays on leadership, culture, and how we work and live.

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