In 2023, the customary tradition of holiday parties seemed to have found a resurgence in the legal world. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more law firms hosted holiday parties compared to previous years. Even Above the Law finally hosted its first holiday shindig since 2019. For those firms that couldn’t manage a holiday party in December, it’s never too late to bring in some festive fun, even after the holiday season has wound up.
During a recent conversation with a lawyer friend, I found out that her firm had decided to host their holiday party in January instead of the usual December timing. On first considering this, it felt a bit out of place to host a party after the holidays. But on giving it a deeper thought, it seems beneficial to have these festivities in the new year instead.
The holiday season usually involves a tremendous amount of stress as people often have to juggle holiday obligations, such as travel, hosting family members, and other activities that consume time and energy. Between these personal commitments, it might be challenging to find time for work holiday parties as well. A post-holiday celebration might ensure that legal professionals are less stressed and have more free time during the holiday season.
Firms often calculate their billable-hour expectations based on the calendar year. Hence, delaying holiday parties might be supportive to those who still have billable-hour deadlines to meet towards the end of the year. Meeting specific billable hours can often guarantee a larger bonus, which could be stressful around the holiday season. The time saved around the holidays can be spent on client tasks, which can help meet billable-hour goals or qualify for a bonus.
Hosting holiday parties after the season might reduce the cost significantly for law firms. Venue prices and other costs can sometimes decline after the holiday season, which can significantly impact a law firm’s budget. In some circumstances, these saved costs might be the deciding factor in hosting a holiday party at all.
In conclusion, if your law firm has not yet held a holiday party, there’s no need to be disheartened. It’s never too late to schedule one, and, in fact, there might be numerous benefits to holding it after the typical holiday season.