4 min read
Shape Christmas Party 2024
Best Shape Xmas party to date? I think so. It was class. After a great year at Shape, we wanted to go out on a high, and what better way to do it than saying bye to 2024 all together, in a mansion – complete with a pool table, hot tub, selfie room, and karaoke.
Christmas parties have always been a big deal at Shape. They’re not just about having a bit of fun – they’re about getting everyone together, having a laugh, and celebrating the hard graft we’ve all put in over the year. For us, it’s about showing the team how much they’re appreciated.
With most of us working from home these days, chances for us all to connect in person are few and far between. So, when we do get together, we make it count. The aim? Good food, great drinks, lots of laughs, and a memory that lasts.... and to make staff feel wanted/appreciated.
We give the team two weeks off at Christmas so they can spend quality time with their families, properly relax, and head into the New Year feeling refreshed and ready to go. This party was technically on our last working day, but tbh, we let them off. The team had made sure everything was wrapped up beforehand - no loose ends, no unfinished tasks - so there was nothing more to be done. After the effort everyone’s put in throughout the year, they deserved to let their hair down. Plus, let’s be honest, the only “work” happening that day involved getting to the venue on time, bringing a Secret Santa gift, and making sure the bar was fully stocked.
We didn’t just book a table at the local pub and call it a night. We thought we’d do something different this year. We wanted to do something bigger, something better, something that solved a recurring issue: transport. Our team is spread out across different areas, and previous parties often meant people faced tricky logistics for getting home – whether that’s leaving early to catch the last train or figuring out a designated driver. So, we asked ourselves: how do we make this easier? Simple: stay the night.
And not just anywhere. We went all out and rented a mansion. It ticked every box:
Big enough to comfortably fit the whole team? ✅
Plenty of space for a dance? ✅
Hot tub? ✅
Pool table? ✅
Bar? ✅
A selfie/disco room? ✅
Here’s how the night shaped up:
We took a trip to Costco and picked up pretty much everything. Ella & Kerry came with and anything they wanted went in the trolley 😂. We’re talking sandwiches, wraps, crisps & dip, pizzas, pasta, sushi, chicken nuggets, mozz sticks … the whole lot. And of course, a massive teddy bear 🧸 There was no chance of anyone going hungry (or thirsty). We stocked the place with cocktails, beers, spirits and mixer. All the good stuff.
Now, we need to give credit to Ella here because she is fantastic when it comes to the yearly Shape quiz and games. Every year, she raises the bar. Kerry won the quiz, and I have no idea how - she's been with us the least amount of time!
If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s basically the same thing they did in The Office US that caused a load of arguments. Everyone brought a gift with a £15 budget, but nobody knew what they were getting or who they’d be giving it to. You can also swap gifts, which can cause a bit of tension 😂 We had a frying pan, a calendar of dog 💩(don’t ask), card games, mini darts board and loads more.
Worst new driver: Kerry Hounslea
Biggest lightweight: Jo Edwards
Best bike rider: Jason Mayo
Best baker: Ella Dawson
Best dressed: Jo Edwards
Drunkest so far: Nick
(Can't remember the rest ... need to add in if you want to include).
Every year, Ella raises the bar. She somehow pulls out games no one’s ever heard of before. If anyone needs any party games, get in touch with Ella - she’ll sort you out. Some of our games this year included...
To make things more fun, we gave each of the team a ‘secret mission’ to complete before 9pm, in order to win £20 cash prize. Everybody, apart from Mike, managed to complete them (but I obviously still gave him the cash).
We made sure that we got all the essentials in for a hungover team. Bacon and sausage butties all round before we packed up and headed home.
At the end of the day, these events are more than just a good time. They’re about connection. It’s easy to lose sight of the personal side of things when you’re all sat behind screens most of the year. But nights like this bring us back to what matters most: the people.
Shape’s Christmas party was a celebration of the people who make this company what it is. A chance to let our hair down, have a laugh, and remind ourselves why we love working here.
So here’s to the team, to another fantastic year, and to many more nights like this. And if you’re reading this wondering whether to go big for your next office do? Do it. Trust me, it’s worth every penny.
Co-Founder of MadeByShape. Most of my blogs are about business related aspects, not just web design.
