Covid: Can we rescue the office Christmas party this year?

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"This is the year to do this, if there was ever a year," says Helen Lacey.joker123 "I know everybody's 'Zoomed' out, but this will be a little bit different."

Helen is the creative director at Enact Solutions, a drama-based training company in Huddersfield.This time last year one of its regular actors, Tam Ryan, was appearing as Buddy in Elf - the Musical, in Manchester. But this season, along with fellow actor and comedian Marvin Dickinson, he will be the host of "Virtual Shindig", a live-streamed office Christmas party.

Virtual Shindig promises companies a bespoke panto-style show with a sprinkling of in-jokes, sketches (who knew England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty was such an accomplished rapper?), songs, Mastermind-style quizzes and awards for team members."This is something that will bring work colleagues together in laughter, you know, just proper belly laughs, that's what we're really aiming for," says Helen.When the team at Enact Solutions dreamed up the idea, they didn't know if there would be any enthusiasm after such a difficult year. And although the Christmas party is a tax deductible expense, Helen was worried the cost of £1,500 for a team of 30 people might be a deterrent. But, she says, they've had a huge response with people saying that this was just what they'd been looking for.

One of those was Kirsty Gaunt, learning and development manager at Anabas facilities management company. She's been involved in the company's Christmas plans this year and says she feels "10 stone lighter" knowing that someone else will do a lot of the work.

"The fact that I don't have to do it all is just amazing. And it looked so much fun," she says.The question of this year's party had become "a little bugbear", says Kirsty, with the team batting ideas backwards and forwards.

"Let's be honest, Christmas parties aren't everybody's thing either are they? Some people don't even like Christmas, so it's been tough to try and find something for everyone. This way people can choose if they want to come to it."If you've ever had to organise the annual Christmas bash, you'll understand the dilemma - it's not a task to be undertaken lightly and there are some people breathing a sigh of relief that they've been let off the hook this year.But that's not the case for Manchester-based HR technology company Phase 3.Normally its 38 workers would be treated to a day of exchanging presents and playing games, followed by a night out. But this year they too are going for the virtual option, although the presents will still be real. Each employee will have a Christmas treat box and a Secret Santa present, delivered through the post.

Opening them will be part of a day of online festive activities where everyone will be encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper, given an allowance to create a seasonal sandwich or lunch, and perhaps follow that with a drink and a social catch-up at the end of the day.