Several years ago in December, some people asked me for a creative training opener. I posted a version of my idea on the earlier version of this blog then.
Last Friday at Remarkable House, I used the exercise with our team at our annual Christmas party. It may be just what you need to make your party more memorable and meaningful, giving people a way give and receive feedback.
Group Size: Any size, in groups of 4-8 if your team is large
Materials Needed
- A large variety (colors and sizes) of Sharpie pens, or paint pens (the total number depends on your overall group size).
- Single color ball shaped ornaments – White or clear will likely work best (one per person plus a few extras in case any break!).
- 3×5 cards (one per person).
- Envelopes (one per person).
Round 1
- Split people into groups, based on your total number of people. If the group is large, divide by work teams or sub-groups.
- Have each person write their name on the top of an index card and on an envelope.
- Have people put their card inside their envelope.
- Have people pass the index card to the person next to them.
- Have people write something they like, appreciate, value or respect about the person whose card they now have (or pick another attribute if it suits your goals.)
- Continue to pass the cards until everyone in the group has written on the cards, but the owner hasn’t yet seen them.
- Pick up the envelopes.
Round 2
- Have everyone pick an envelope, looking long enough to make sure they didn’t get their own. Continue until everyone has an envelope.
- Distribute the ornaments and pens/paints.
- Instruct people to create an ornament for the person whose card they have, adorning it with symbols or words that come from the card. Encourage them to put the person’s name on the ornament too.
Round 3
- When all the ornaments are finished, go around the room with each person reading the attributes on the card and discussing the symbolism on the ornament to the group, then presenting both the card and the ornament to that person.
- Debrief or close the exercise as best suits your situation.
Our team experience with this exercise Friday was positive. Team members had the chance to give feedback, semi-anonymously, express their creativity, and, in the end, give each other a wonderful gift.
If you are looking for a powerful and positive addition to the typical office Christmas party, this exercise might be just what you are looking for!
If you use it, please share your experiences in the comments for everyone’s benefit.
At our engineering Monday morning meeting last week, I brought glittered ornament cutouts, shiny pipe cleaners, pompoms, stickers and glitter glue. Finger food arrived, as well. The artwork began slowly as people read their reports, and for a while, I felt pretty self-conscious about the success of my approach. But soon, one after another at the table joined in amidst laughter and playful creativity, and we soon had a pile of colorful, personalized ornaments to decorate the lighted garland in our department!
Thanks for sharing Stephanie – and congrats on moving forward with confidence!
Kevin 🙂
Kevin – I wish I had gotten this idea a few days ago! Later this afternoon we are having a reception for a long-time leader at our firm who is retiring. With slight modifications this sounds like a wonderful way to express our appreciation for this person with something tangible, simple and heartfelt during the holiday season. Too late for this time, but might be an idea to use in the future for other end of year retirements. Thanks for sharing!
Kevin,
We used this at our office holiday party Friday and it was a real success. Since we had 30 people, we divided into groups of those who normally work together to make the ornaments but we read the ornaments in the large group so everyone could hear. I almost didn’t ask them to draw symbols, thinking they would be reluctant to do that, but most did and they provided the best laughs! Thanks for sharing this idea!
Melinda – I’m glad it was a success!
Kevin 🙂