Spice Up Your [Digital] Life: six ways to engage on your next virtual happy hour
Zoom fatigue is real. 2020 is the year where we increasingly wonder if one more second of screen time will make us go mad. With that in mind, here are a few ways to step away from the COVID talk, avoid the phrase “so how is everyone doing” and get back to sharing experiences - belly laughs included.
Whether you are hosting a team happy hour, weekly family catch up or a community celebration (we see you class of 2020), here are a few ways to avoid the ordinary.
Scavenger Hunt
Once everyone has joined the call, use the chat to toss up a list of items participants need to locate in their home. Things like a framed photo with a story, a cherished gift or something handmade. Give them a set time to locate the items (we recommend playing a funny song) then have everyone show and tell to the group.
Digital Games
Friday night board games lost steam over the years with the introduction of technology, but now many of these games have made their way online (if you didn’t have a words with friends phase we should chat). Check out companies like Jackbox Games that provide a number of fun ways to connect digitally.
Make it a Cocktail Hour
If everyone is of age and interested, have a cocktail specific gathering where those who join create and review their own cocktail. Creatives can start from scratch, but for the less certain you can use the make me a cocktail website to generate recipes based on your current at home ingredients. Each person can share how the process went along with a review of the taste and visual appeal.
Get Artistic
Find out who has a creative side by tasking participants with recreating famous paintings. Select the paintings in advance and give everyone 5-10 minutes to collect items and set the scene. Have a judge in place to give out superlatives at the end such as “most realistic” or “best use of props” to keep everyone engaged. Here’s some inspiration to get you started.
The draft isn’t just for sports
Like many annual occurrences, the NFL Draft was forced to go virtual this year. Dedicated fans likely thought about their perfect picks. We recommend doing the same thing, even without the football. It could be music, wine or travel where you build your ideal lineup. Here’s the trick, if someone else picks the merlot, it can’t join your dream wine tasting!
Learn something and discuss
Whether it is a Ted talk, masterclass or podcast, collectively learn something as a group then take time to discuss. If you want to keep the conversation flowing, be sure to add measures like popcorning from person to person or everyone adding a topic they would like to discuss in the group chat.
Whether you are trying something new in this virtual world to cultivate conversation or implementing a time tested ice breaker like two truths and a lie, the importance of creating space for participants to share, collaborate or empathize is key. With this in mind, we think you will be able to turn a virtual happy hour from a “must-do” to a “can’t-wait-to-do” in no time.