Pop Culture Party Ideas for the Office

Pop culture moments have a unique way of consuming our everyday lives, and the workplace is no exception. If your office is anything like Crafty’s, you know how these cultural phenomena can set the place ablaze with excitement and camaraderie. Whether it's the surprise drop of a new album, sparking passionate discussions and impromptu listening parties, or the frenzy of creating tournament brackets for March Madness, these moments offer more than just a distraction. They foster connections, spark creativity, and bring a sense of shared experience among colleagues.

In this blog, we'll explore how pop culture moments shape office culture, creating a vibrant, dynamic environment that keeps everyone engaged and inspired and how you can incorporate these moments to boost morale.

The Benefits of Pop Culture Parties

Let's be honest: work can be tough sometimes, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The "Great Resignation" began in 2021, with many people deciding to leave their jobs. Even Beyoncé captured this feeling in her 2022 song “Break My Soul,” where she sings about quitting a job and feeling overworked.

But now it's 2024, and like Beyoncé, employers everywhere have changed their tune. Top companies have realized that if you want to retain talent and reduce burnout you have to play just as hard as you work at the office. Planning a party or event for your staff can boost morale and reduce stress, especially before or after a big project.

According to MetLife, over 40% of workers feel stressed or burnt out. Games, parties, and short breaks can give employees the rest they need and make them feel valued.

With more workplaces adopting hybrid or remote models, it's crucial to find ways for employees to connect. Shared interests and pop culture can spark conversations that go beyond work tasks and deadlines, helping build a stronger team. Plus, it shows you’re a modern and engaged employer.

Examples of Pop Culture Parties

Take a look at this LinkedIn post from Skylar Chua, who is gushing about her work's Hollywood-themed Christmas party. Employees got to feel like Tinseltown royalty for an evening, getting the chance to dress up like famous actors throughout history, with the best dressed winning a trophy. There's no doubt that these employees had a blast, and it’s one simple way to incorporate pop culture into your next company get-together.

Melanie Pontier of Padilla describes a weekly coffee shop meet-up with her colleagues, which they called “Thrones and Scones"—it was intended to be a time for workers to chat about the latest Game of Thrones episodes. Pontier writes, “Part of engaging your employees (and as a result giving your workplace culture a boost) is meeting people where they are. Pop culture, whether it's a TV show, a sporting event, or a movie (Avengers anyone?), can be an effective tactic to work into your employee engagement strategy.”

Bringing pop culture into the office can help employees form friendships with one another. Researchers at Gallup, in their employee engagement research, often ask participants: Do you have a best friend at work? According to Yale University professors Emma Seppälä and Marissa King, those with a “best friend at work” are likelier and healthier and more likely to be engaged in their jobs. Typically, friends are those who share common interests with you—ones that exist outside of work. Allowing employees to connect over The Bear, Squid Game, or the NBA finals is one way to create meaningful work friendships.

Tips for a Successful Party

Obviously, a party is only a party if people attend. Follow these tips to ensure that employees are excited about your events.

Mix it up: One month might be focused on sports, and the next might be all about Love Is Blind. The events should rotate between different kinds of pop culture so no one feels left out if they aren't so into reality TV or fantasy football—make sure there is something for everyone.
Bigger isn't always better: A lunchtime thing can be just as fun as an after-work hang—change the length and involvement of the events to keep things interesting.
Use the time wisely: Parties and other events are intended to be celebratory, so don't forget to call out a few employees who have gone above and beyond recently. This will keep the positive vibes flowing long after the event is over.
Break bread: Having snacks and drinks from Crafty around will make employees feel taken care of and ensure no one goes hungry! In addition, noshing with others is a quick way to build intimacy and friendship.

Album Releases

Alright, let's face it – we might never get that new Rihanna album. But hey, there are plenty of artists dropping new albums every few months that literally break the internet and get the whole office buzzing. Seriously, who hasn't blocked off time in a meeting to chat about Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" or Taylor Swift’s "Dead Poets Society"? We know you have!

Why not turn an album release into a full-blown office party? It’s a great way to break the ice and let everyone unleash their inner music fan. Transform your common area into a music wonderland with posters, album covers, and streamers. Set up a mini-stage or DJ booth to blast the new tunes. Get everyone moving with a dance-off or a karaoke session featuring tracks from the album.

Serve themed snacks and drinks that match the album’s vibe—think CELSIUS Tropical Vibe for a summer pop hit or Nespresso Espresso Origin Brazil for that one Sabrina Carpenter none of us can get out of our heads—courtesy of a snacks delivery service or caterer. Keep the energy up with fun activities like artist trivia, a lip-sync battle, or a mini talent show.

Hand out cool album-themed merch like T-shirts and posters, and set up a photo booth with quirky props for those Insta-worthy snaps. Don’t forget your remote team members; live-stream the event and send them party kits so they can join in on the fun too. Amp up the experience with special album-themed drinks from the office coffee service and healthy office snacks. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts on a feedback wall, making the celebration interactive and engaging for all.

Office Olympics

Celebrating the Olympics at the office can be a blast and a great way to boost team spirit! Start by transforming your office into a mini Olympic village with decorations, flags, and banners from different countries, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere. To add some fun competition, organize your own mini office Olympics with activities like desk chair races, paper plane throwing contests, and trivia quizzes. Encourage everyone to dress up in their favorite country's colors or athletic gear and set up a spot to stream live Olympic events.

Keep everyone fueled and happy with tasty office snacks and international bites from snack delivery services like Crafty. More into drinks? Coffee lovers will appreciate having top-notch office coffee machines, like bean-to-cup coffee machines with bean selections from around the world like La Colombe Brazilian Cold Brew while you watch soccer. Make the event even more special by partnering with local catering companies for a catered office lunch featuring international dishes.

Sports Championships

Did you know that, according to a 2023 survey, 13% of US adults watch live sports on TV almost daily, and 71% are sports fans, including 81% of men and 61% of women? Your office is likely full of sports enthusiasts! Imagine the buzz if you celebrated major sports events like the Super Bowl, March Madness, the Stanley Cup, or the World Cup at work.

Celebrating sports events boosts workplace morale and well-being. It enhances team bonding, strengthens relationships, and fosters camaraderie. Employees feel more connected, engaged, and aligned with the company's culture. These events also offer a fun break from work, reducing stress and making everyone feel valued.

Friendly office competitions and themed activities promote healthy competition and energize the team. It shows your company values work-life balance, increasing job satisfaction and productivity. Sports celebrations create a positive culture, benefiting both employees and the organization.

For example, during March Madness, engage your colleagues by having them vote on their favorite office snacks and treat them to special deliveries each week for judging. Share the results with us—our bet is on Strawberry Pocky winning!

Award Shows

Your team might not be winning Oscars just yet, but that doesn't mean they can't feel like stars for a day. Whether it's the Grammys, Emmys, or even the Razzies, award shows are a great way to dive into the buzz of movies and music.

Turn your office into a glamorous event space. Think red carpets, gold and silver decorations, and award-themed posters. Encourage everyone to dress in their finest attire to boost the festive vibe.

Set up a big screen or projector to stream the show live. Make sure everyone has a comfy spot to watch. Add to the fun with themed snacks and drinks. Use catering or snack delivery services for gourmet appetizers and sweet treats. A coffee station with specialty drinks will keep everyone refreshed.

Interactive activities can spice things up. Try a prediction pool for guessing winners or a "best dressed" contest. A photo booth with award-themed props will help capture memorable moments.

If the show runs during mealtime, arrange a catered lunch or dinner that fits the theme. End the celebration with a toast to honor achievements and reflect on team successes.

This mix of festive decor, themed refreshments, and engaging activities will make your award show celebration unforgettable. Don’t forget the popcorn! Crafty’s got you covered with SkinnyPop White Cheddar and Angie’s Kettle Corn.

Natural Phenomenons

Although it may only happen once in a lifetime, jumping on a viral moment like a solar eclipse can be an easy win for team building and office morale. During the Solar Eclipse in 2024, the Crafty team grabbed their solar glasses and stepped outside to join the fun. This shared experience fostered camaraderie and created lasting memories, proving that sometimes, it only takes something as simple as the stars to bring the team together.

Such events offer a unique opportunity to break away from the usual work routine and engage in something special. The rarity of a solar eclipse makes it an especially memorable event, but it also highlights a broader point: natural phenomena provide excellent opportunities for collective celebration and team bonding.

An eclipse may not happen for another century, but there are plenty of other natural phenomena worth celebrating at the office. The changing of the seasons, for example, can be marked with themed decorations, seasonal treats, or even outdoor activities. Snow days can turn into impromptu snowman-building contests or Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa gatherings, bringing a touch of playfulness to the workplace. Similarly, meteor showers, full moons, and other celestial events can serve as excuses to gather together, perhaps for a nighttime viewing party or a themed lunch.

TV Watch Parties

Welcome to the golden age of television, where every office worker has a show they can't stop talking about. Remember the frenzy over the Game of Thrones finale, watching Seinfeld in Times Square, or those fabulous Bridgerton-themed parties? Why not bring that excitement to the office and create a space for your team to unwind with their favorite shows after a long day?

Here's how to get started: Pick a popular show that everyone loves and set up a cozy common area or conference room with comfy seating and a big screen. Add some themed decorations to make the space feel special. Don’t forget the snacks! Offer a spread of goodies like popcorn, gourmet appetizers, and drinks, either catered or delivered by your office snack provider.

To ramp up the fun, include interactive elements like trivia games, prediction pools, or themed quizzes. Encourage a dress code where employees can come dressed as their favorite characters—imagine the laughs and photo ops! Make sure your streaming setup is top-notch and invite everyone to chat during commercial breaks.

For remote team members, host a virtual watch party using video conferencing tools so no one misses out. Wrap up with a post-show discussion to share thoughts and favorite moments, boosting team spirit and engagement.

And hey, extra points if someone can nail a character impression—Jennifer Coolidge from "White Lotus, anyone?

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