6 Reasons Office Snacks Are a Secret Productivity Hack

Beat the 3 p.m. slump and keep your team satisfied with office snacks designed for productivity 

It happens almost every day between 1 and 3 p.m. The morning coffee buzz is gone, the day is more than halfway through, and while there’s still a lot to do, you find yourself yawning, feeling headache-y, and wondering if anyone would notice if you took a nap underneath your desk. 

It’s easy to blame that cranky, sleepy, brain foggy feeling that sweeps your office in the late afternoon on a caffeine addiction, poor sleep, and simply not wanting to be there, but oftentimes, it’s actually the result of lackluster nutrition. 

The solution? Office snacks. 

You thought we were going to say go to school and become a certified nutritionist for a second there, didn’t you? Fortunately, the best way to keep your office chugging along is by offering office snacks. People love food and they’ll love you for providing it. In fact, they’ll love it so much they won’t even realize that it’s a secret productivity hack. Shhhh…we’ll let that be our little secret.

Want to know more about how office snacks are actually the best way to keep your team productive? Read on:

Food helps your brain function

Good nutrition is essential to cognitive brain function – or to put it in less formal terms, eating regular meals keeps you from drifting off at your desk (admit it: you’re doing it right now). The key is to eat healthy meals – and don’t worry, we’re not suggesting an all-kale diet. Think veggies, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Fish, spinach, and dark berries are all delicious, nutritious choices. Despite its fraught reputation, coffee can also help with brain function as caffeine is linked to short term memory benefits. Just be sure to drink it in moderation.

Providing office snacks helps your team avoid unhealthy food that zaps productivity

When you’re really, really hungry, what do you reach for? If you’re like most people, you’re probably way too famished to labor over a home-cooked, nutritious meal. Instead, you find yourself at the drive-through ordering a burger and fries. And while there’s nothing wrong with these tasty treats once in a while, they can be a serious drain on productivity. 

High fat and processed foods make your digestive system go into overdrive, lowering oxygen levels in your brain. The result? Brain fog – or as it is more commonly referred to after a big holiday feast, a food coma. 

Office snacks promote a good mood

Another term you’re likely familiar with: hangry.

Hangry is the special type of bad mood that you might experience when you’re hungry. It’s why people get so grouchy when they find out how long the wait is at their favorite restaurant. If you’ve experienced this or been on the receiving end of it, you already know how hunger can affect mood. 

According to one study on hangry-ness (yes, someone actually did a study on it), survey participants reported anger, stress, and other negative emotions as a result of hunger. 

Providing office snacks is a simple way to eliminate hangry vibes. As a result, everyone on your team gets along and therefore gets more work done. 

Office snacks can boost immune systems

When your body doesn’t get proper nutrients, your immune system pays the price. When your immune system is weakened, you’re more likely to get sick. When one person at the office catches a cold or the flu, well…you know the rest. 

Nothing can take down a productive office like a company-wide flu that forces everyone to trade crunch time for sick days. Providing office snacks can help keep everyone’s immune systems happy and a happy immune system is a healthy employee. 

Enjoying a meal together helps people bond

There’s a reason why so many of life’s special moments involve a meal. From birthday cake to celebratory dinners to the food you serve at your wedding, coming together for a meal helps people feel connected. The phrase “breaking bread” brings to mind ideas of bonding with one another.

That feeling doesn’t have to exist purely outside of work. Why not bring it into your office by offering snacks and even occasional meals that allow people a moment to take a break from their work and socialize with one another? This fosters team building and leads to a strong team that can work together. 

Employees feel appreciated

Providing office snacks and catering is a perfect way to say thank you for a job well done. Employees will feel appreciated when you offer snacks (and their friends who aren’t lucky enough to work in your office will be jealous). This reduces turnover, which can be a serious detriment to productivity. Not to mention, it’s nice to work at the office that has free snacks! 

Great catering from TooJay’s will keep your office happy

Whether you’re looking to cater breakfast for your big office meeting, offer a delicious lunch on Friday afternoons, or kick off Monday with coffee and eggs, TooJay’s Catering can help you find the perfect menu. Our breakfast platters, with options that include eggs, bacon, and fresh vegetables, are perfect for revving your team up in the morning. Our salads for the group and sandwich party platters will keep your employees from suffering the dreaded afternoon slump. Contact us today to get started with an order.

The post 6 Reasons Office Snacks Are a Secret Productivity Hack appeared first on TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant.

source https://www.toojays.com/office-snacks-productivity/

10 Ideas for a Stellar Housewarming Party

Make your housewarming party a success with these fun ideas

Moving into a new home or apartment is exciting and whether you’re celebrating your own move or a friend’s or family member’s, throwing a housewarming party is a great way to mark the occasion. Housewarming parties are a perfect opportunity to welcome friends and family into your home for the first time and get to know the neighbors.

A new home is the perfect reason to celebrate and this long-standing tradition can even help motivate you to finish the unpacking a bit faster. There are all kinds of ways to make your housewarming party special. Looking for housewarming party ideas? Keep reading. This guide is designed to get your creative juices flowing and help you make the most of this special occasion. 

1. “Barn raising”

Guests at a housewarming party know that you’ve just moved in and they don’t expect your house to be perfect yet. The word housewarming actually implies that the party is meant to “warm” your house and turn it into a home. 

Consider throwing a party where you get the guests involved in the work by painting or gardening. These types of events are similar to how all the people in an area used to get together to put up each others’ barns and once the work was done, drink and be merry. 

2. Unboxing event

You’ve probably heard of unboxing videos where YouTube stars review products right out of the box. You can steal this concept for your housewarming party and get your guests to help you unpack. 

This type of party is best suited to an invitation list of good friends and family. You don’t necessarily want your new neighbors unpacking your underpants or rifling through your good China. 

3. Block party

Invite the whole block over to your home and use your housewarming party as a chance to get to know your neighbors. Invite neighbors by sending them paper invites or knock on their doors, introduce yourself, and let them know that you’d love to have them over. 

Open your garage door, put out big tables full of great food, and extend the party into your driveway so that neighbors feel comfortable walking up even if they haven’t received a formal invite. 

4. Scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt provides your guests with something fun to do at your housewarming party and it gives them a chance to explore your new home. Split guests into teams and then create a series of clues that will guide them through your home to a surprise at the end of the hunt. 

You give guests the first clue which leads them to the second and so on. You can use rhymes like “This flat box houses audio and sound, in the living room it can be found” to direct guests to a clue hidden under the TV. Images can also be fun – take photos of different parts of your home to guide guests through the hunt. 

5. Movie night 

A movie night is a great chance to test out the media room in your new home or alternatively turn your backyard into an outdoor movie theater. You can rent or buy large screens and projectors and some people even cast movies onto the exterior walls of their homes. Then, choose a film that will appeal to the people on your guest list, make some popcorn, and get comfortable. 

6. Stock-the-bar event

Guests traditionally bring a housewarming gift to these events and with a stock-the-bar party, your guests get to chip in and help you create a well-stocked bar for your new home. Put the bottles to work right away by asking guests to bring recipes for their favorite cocktails and then make sure that you have mixers and other cocktail essentials.

7. Decorating ideas

Not sure where to put the couch? Want ideas for accent wall colors? Thinking about remodeling the kitchen? You may want to use your party as a springboard for decorating ideas. Invite your friends and family who have the best taste and make a Pinterest board come to life in your home. 

Ask friends to write down their ideas or text you inspo photos as they walk through your home. Getting the hive mind involved is a great way to come up with fresh, new ideas and once you’ve integrated the best ideas into your home, have a follow-up party where you show off the new decor. 

8. Masquerade ball

Costume parties aren’t just for Halloween and they can be a great way to encourage mingling at any party. A masquerade can be especially useful for parties that involve a lot of people who don’t know each other. The costumes give guests an instant ice breaker and they can help to get conversations rolling between all types of people. 

9. Jam session

Music is a great way to turn up the fun at your housewarming party! Invite your musician friends to bring their instruments and entertain the rest of you with a jam session. You may even want to just book a band or bring in a karaoke machine.

10. Mixed theme 

You don’t have to stick to a single theme at your party. You can actually mix and match many of these themes. Set up a movie night for the neighborhood kids while the adults stock the bar. Have a few hours of “barn raising” and then transition into relaxing by your new pool or hanging out around the kitchen island.  

Let TooJay’s handle the food!

Your kitchen may not even be unpacked when you throw your housewarming party but don’t let that stop you from enjoying delicious food. TooJay’s Catering offers an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner catering options as well as tasty desserts. 

Don’t suffer through an awkward potluck of bland dishes. Let us handle the food so that you and your guests can relax and chow down on delicious meals, snacks, and desserts. Contact us today to learn more. 

The post 10 Ideas for a Stellar Housewarming Party appeared first on TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant.

source https://www.toojays.com/10-housewarming-party-ideas/

10 Tips for Choosing the Catering Menu for Your Event From Toojay’s

Choosing a catering menu doesn’t have to be a chore. With these simple steps, you’ll find the perfect one for your event in no time.

Whether it’s a casual backyard birthday party, an elegant anniversary celebration, or a lunch for the boardroom, what you serve your guests makes all the difference. No pressure, right? 

You won’t stress if you choose a great caterer. Instead of hours of prep in the kitchen (and a mountain of greasy pots and pans to clean up before the party), you can leave it to the professionals and trust that everyone will be wowed by a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of wherever you choose to serve it.

Okay, now that we’ve sold you on why catering is an awesome option for your event, you have to go about choosing the catering menu. That’s the fun part as far as we’re concerned (but we also totally get that you’ll need to think about the size and scope of your event before you order).

That’s why we’ve put together these easy breezy steps to choosing the perfect catering menu for your event:

Understand your event

The menu for a kid’s birthday party is probably going to be a lot different from an important business breakfast (significantly less caffeine at the birthday party, for starters). Before you choose your menu, write down the basics of your event. 

You’ll want to identify the occasion, the theme if any, how many people will be there (tip: overestimate so there’s definitely enough food to go around), and the location. Pay close attention to that last detail. Will it be indoors or outdoors? What will seating be like? Will it be cool or warm that day? This will help you determine the type of food you choose. For example, if there’s not going to be seating at an outdoor event, you want to choose casual menu items that your guests can enjoy standing up.   

Choose the date you need your order

When you order your catering menu fromTooJay’s you can specify the date and time you need your order by. Pickup and delivery are both available (the latter incurs a delivery fee), so choose the option that’s best for you. Take into consideration the timing of your event. You want to make sure your items are ready for your guests to enjoy as soon as they’re ready to eat. 

Last-minute event? No problem. Look for the clock icon when ordering and choose from a large selection of same-day requests. 

Choose the meal that you’re serving

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or something in between? TooJay’s Catering has options for whatever meal you’re serving. Serving breakfast? Choose from hot options like scrambled eggs, French toast, and bacon or cold items like bagels, yogurt, and fruit. Serving lunch? There are boxed lunch options, party platters, and hot entrees. Serving dinner? Gourmet menu options include everything from lasagna to London broil to broiled cod. For those meals that are in between, TooJay’s Catering offers snacks and hors d’oeuvres. And don’t forget about dessert!

Order a cake if it’s a special occasion

If the event is a birthday party, anniversary party, retirement party, or other celebration, there’s no need to go to a bakery in addition to going to TooJay’s. Gourmet specialty cakes are available in a variety of options. Choose from an eight-inch cake for a smaller group or a half-sheet option for a larger group. Flavors include chocolate, coconut, and even Key lime pie. Don’t see something you like? Ask about specialty options. Keep in mind that a 72-hour notice may be required for gourmet cake orders.

Check for any dietary restrictions or preferences

Before you choose your menu, find out if any of your guests have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or preferences. TooJay’s has a wide range of options that can accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets, and other tastes and preferences. Be sure to communicate this information to TooJay’s when you order. 

Choose casual, fancy, or both!

Catering doesn’t have to mean black tie level fancy (but it can!). Think of the vibe you want to project at your event and choose the menu items that fit. TooJay’s offers casual options like deli sandwiches and wraps and upscale options like shrimp cocktail, brie with raspberries en croute, and even traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings.

Don’t forget drinks

No matter what meal you’re serving, TooJay’s Catering has drinks that fit. Order by the can, liter, pint, half-gallon, or gallon. Options include coffee, tea, juice, soda, lemonade, and more. Need ice? Add a cooler or ice to your order so your drinks stay chilled. 

Add chafing dishes, Sternos, and other catering essentials

If you’re ordering hot entrees and you need them to stay hot, add chafing dishes, pans, and Sternos to your order. This will keep your meals warm and tasty so that guests can visit the buffet line again and again. You can also add extra paper products to your order.  

Choose pickup or delivery

When ordering online through TooJay’s Catering, you can select pickup or delivery. TooJay’s has locations throughout Florida, making it easy to find a convenient place to pick up your order from. Don’t have time to grab your catering meal before your event? No problem; we’ll deliver.

Contact TooJay’s with questions

TooJay’s Catering has catered more than a half-million events across Florida since its founding in 1981. In other words, we’re well-versed in creating menu items that help you shine when you host a catered event. If you have questions about the menu, want feedback on how much to order for your group, or need to make sure that last-minute order is perfect, contact us.

The post 10 Tips for Choosing the Catering Menu for Your Event From Toojay’s appeared first on TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant.

source https://www.toojays.com/choosing-catering-menu/

Should You Throw a Vaccination Party?

Congratulations! You’re vaccinated! Celebrate a return to normalcy with these vaccination party ideas. 

If you think about it, it’s kind of fitting that we’re in the 2020s. A hundred years after the glitzy, champagne-soaked era of the 1920s, we’re entering a new kind of roaring twenties – the kind that comes after more than a year of staying home. 

We’re definitely not the only ones who are predicting the beginning of the roaring 2020s. All across the US, people are gearing up for a summer of parties, travel, and hugging (remember hugging?). As vaccination rates go up and COVID-19 rates go down, there’s no better time to start planning on making up for the isolation of 2020 with a vaccination party in 2021. 

We know, a vaccination party may not be the exact kind of soiree you had in mind for your life, but if the past year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. That’s exactly why you should get in on the surprising fun of a vaccination party. It’s a chance to reunite with the people you love and toast to a brighter future.

Curious about what one wears to a vaccination party, what the decorations might look like, or what the heck a vaccination party even is? We’ve got you covered.

What is a vaccination party?

This type of party is about capitalizing on the growing vaccination rates. It’s a time to (finally!) hang out with the people you’ve been missing without compromising safety. And let’s face it, after 2020, it’s a much-deserved chance to smile, laugh, and let loose. 

True to its name, a vaccination party is a celebratory gathering made up of people who have all been vaccinated. Think of your vaccination card as a VIP card for the best event of the year. 

Go big or go small?

If you’ve spent the past year in the company of the people you share a home with, it’s probably been quite a while since you planned a party. Who should you invite? How many? 

It’s a good question. When you’re used to thinking about doing everything in small groups, the concept of a gathering that doesn’t take place over Zoom can be quite foreign.

If it’s your first time hosting a party after getting vaccinated, you may want to start small. Many people are facing social anxiety after a year spent social distancing. Plus, opting for a small group (think close family and/or friends) will give you time to really catch up with the people you’ve been missing the most.

Celebrate your employees with a workplace vaccination party

For employers and employees, a workplace vaccination party can be a way to celebrate together. If you’re the boss, consider hosting a thank-you party for employees who have been vaccinated or for those who have been working in a public-facing role throughout the pandemic. Have a hashtag (such as #gotvaxxed), a photo booth, and giveaways that show you care. It’s a great way to celebrate your team; it can also be a great way to make returning to the office more fun. Nothing says “welcome back” like a party. 

You might even draw inspiration from this workplace that hosted a vaccination disco party.

Reunite with your family and friends

When planning a vaccination party for your friends and family, you want to make it special by creating plenty of opportunities for people to catch up with each other – think of all you have to talk about after being apart for so long! Make the vaccination party inviting and welcoming by hosting it at your house rather than a restaurant. This will allow people to linger and share stories as long as they like. 

P.S. Remember all of those quarantine home decorating projects you got into? Now is the time to show off your work!

Party ideas

So what exactly is the theme for a vaccination party? We’re used to luaus, black-tie affairs, and costume parties, but vaccination parties are kind of a new thing. 

Because there’s no established etiquette for this type of party, the sky is the limit when planning one! However, if you’re stuck, we’ve got a few ideas. 

You might consider really leaning into the vaccination theme with vaccination décor – pharmacy decorations, syringes filled with shots (of Jack and Coke, not Johnson & Johnson), and napkins that look like vaccination cards. You could also give away wellness-themed goodies, like gift bags filled with reusable water bottles, candles, and at-home spa treatments. 

If the sight of a syringe at a party makes you remember how much you hated getting shots as a kid, opt for a roaring twenties-themed event. Think jazz music, gold tinsel hanging from the ceiling, champagne, and fringe dresses. 

Dust gathering on your dress-up clothes? Say goodbye to your sweatpants by hosting a dressy vaccination party. Finally, everyone has a chance to put on makeup and look their best – and not just for Zoom.

Missing vacation? Have a vacation make up party as an homage to last year’s canceled trips. You can decorate based on one location (Hawaii, Paris, etc.) or hang up photos of as many places as possible. While you’re at the gathering, take time to dream about the places you’ll actually travel to in 2021. 

Go all out with great catering

TooJay’s Catering offers a wide selection of snacks, entrees, and treats to make your vaccination party memorable. If this is the first party you’ve had in forever, catering is the perfect way to make it the best event in a long, long time. Check out our catering menu to see all the tasty treats you can get for you and your gang of public health heroes. 

The post Should You Throw a Vaccination Party? appeared first on TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant.

source https://www.toojays.com/vaccination-party-ideas/

Picking an Event Venue Made Easy

How to choose the best venue for your event

Key takeaways:

• Make a guest list
• Choose a convenient location for your guests
• Consider the type of event and its style
• Stick with your budget and ask about extra costs
• Tour venues and read client reviews
• Get inspiration from other events

All kinds of little details need to come together when you’re planning an event. You have to think about timing, decorations, catering, guest lists, entertainment, and other elements. A successful event requires planning and one of the first steps you should take is choosing a venue. The venue you pick plays a big role in the success of your event, what you can do there, how many people you can host, and more.

Picking the right venue will allow you and your guests to have the best time. We feature eight tips to consider while choosing a venue for your next wedding, graduation party, employee appreciation night, or whatever type of event is coming up on your calendar. 

1. Make a guest list

Spend some time thinking about who you want to come and make a preliminary list. The number of people coming to your event will help you determine how much space you need.

You need to think about the people you’re inviting before you pick a location. Otherwise, you may get caught in a situation where you have to limit your guest list because of venue capacity limitations or you have a huge space for ten people. 

2. Choose an optimal location

Think about the location once you know who is coming and narrow in on a convenient spot for everyone. You may want to choose a venue that is close to the ceremony if you’re planning a wedding reception, for example. You would probably want to select a city that is easily accessible from a major airport if you have people flying in from around the country. Choosing a general location can also help you narrow down the list of potential venues.

3. Consider the type of event

Different types of events call for vastly different venues. A conference room at a convention center would be a great option for professional networking or team training events, for instance. A local amusement park, a hotel room with access to a pool, or a picnic shelter at a local park may be best suited for a children’s party, on the other hand. 

4. Think about your event’s vibe

Every event has a slightly different vibe and while choosing a venue, you should look for a space that emphasizes the theme or feel you want to create. A classic, elegant wedding might require you to rent a historic home or a grand ballroom in a luxury hotel. A more casual wedding, in contrast, may be hosted in a friend’s backyard or an edgy industrial-type setting. 

5. Stay within your budget

Think about your budget before you get too far into the process of choosing a venue. Decide how much you want to spend overall and how much to devote to various things such as food, entertainment, and the venue itself. Try to leave a buffer for unexpected expenses. 

6. Ask about amenities and extra fees

The rental cost of the venue is not the only expense you need to consider. Make sure that you ask what is included with the venue rental fee and request a list of fees for a la carte services. Some venues include tables, chairs, and setup costs but may charge extra for food or special amenities. Others simply give you the space and assess a la carte pricing for everything else. 

7. Tour event venues

The best way to make sure your venue will work for your event is to request a tour. Ask for a floor plan and a video tour if you cannot get to the venue in person. You want to make sure that the venue looks right for your big event but while touring the space, you should also look into the functionality of the venue. 

Does it have a kitchen on-site for caterers to use if needed? Does it have enough bathrooms for your guests? Does it have nursing rooms for mothers of young children if you’re planning a family-friendly event? Does it have an indoor option or a rain shelter if it’s an outdoor venue? Draw up a list of questions like this before you start touring venues.

8. Get inspiration from other events

You don’t have to start from scratch – gather inspiration from other events. Think about the events you have attended recently and consider what you liked about their venues. Ask your family, friends, and colleagues to give you feedback on the venues they have recently been in and use those ideas to create a list of wants and needs to reference. Search online for event planning websites to see what type of venues are used for different events.

9. Check out the venue’s reputation

Finally, do some due diligence before making your final decision. A venue may look perfect but you need to know about its business practices before you dive in and commit. Spend some time looking at reviews online and learning about the venue’s reputation. Ask the venue for references from previous clients if you cannot find information online. 

Let TooJay’s provide the catering

Choosing a venue is one of the first steps of event planning and once you check that off your list, it’s time to think about the menu. Let us take care of the cooking! 

At TooJay’s, we offer a tasty and expansive catering menu with everything from hot entrees for sit-down meals to party platters for snacking. We cater breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. We also offer same-day service on many of our menu items, which is great if you’re planning an event on the fly. Check out our menu and contact us today to learn more. 

The post Picking an Event Venue Made Easy appeared first on TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant.

source https://www.toojays.com/9-tips-for-choosing-a-venue/

TooJay’s Restaurant

TooJay’s has been famous for its deli sandwiches for years, but we’re much more than a deli. TooJay’s serves a wide variety of food sure to please anyone in your family.

We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, dessert and offer catering as well.

We serve breakfast dishes, like omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, chicken and waffles, entrees, beef, chicken, vegetables.

Yes, we serve deli sandwiches, with fresh cut deli meats and fresh cheeses.

We also serve dinner items including chicken, fish, and more.

After your meal make sure and check out our huge selection of bakery goods, baked fresh, right here in our store.

See more at toojays.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealToojays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TooJaysDeli/

source https://toojaysrestaurant.tumblr.com/post/653459974411927552

Fun Team Building Activities for the Office

Whether you have an hour or a whole day, these team building ideas will bring your office together 

Team building. The phrase often sparks memories of cringe-worthy human resources videos from the 90s or corporate events with awkward role-playing games. There’s a reason why mentioning team building in the modern-day office can inspire more than a few groans and eye rolls. 

The solution? Team building events that are actually fun! 

Despite the memories of outdated human resources videos, team building does not have to be some stiff, corporatized task. It can be authentic. It can be filled with activities that every member of your office enjoys. Best of all, it can bring your team together. After all, what’s the point of even having a day of team building if it doesn’t foster, you know, actual teamwork?

Want to bring some life into your office’s team building events? Whether you have a little or a lot of time to spare, here are some ideas that we think your team will love – plus a secret ingredient (spoiler alert: it’s food) that will really sweeten the deal. 

At the office

If team building has you thinking field trip to Disney but you know your accounting department is going to veto that idea before you’ve even put on your Mickey ears, don’t despair. Team building can happen at the office and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of space or time. 

Set aside an hour or a whole day for team building activities both inside the office and just outside (a parking lot or grassy area will work for the latter). You can set up games, play trivia, and even bring in a guest speaker or two. One great idea: an ongoing guest speaker series followed by time for discussion afterward. For a less formal idea, try an office film or book club followed by discussion.

Outside of the office

Go somewhere together and let the team building begin! The trick is to choose an activity that will be both unifying and fun. For example, opt for a trivia night at a bar rather than an unstructured office happy hour. It will be fun and require everyone to interact while working together towards a common goal. 

Other out-of-the-office ideas include an escape room, a round of mini-golf, a cooking class, a scavenger hunt, or, in classic team building fashion, an actual sports game that you play together, such as softball or “capture the flag.” If athletics aren’t your team’s thing, try party games. You can even include remote workers over Zoom.

If you’ve got a whole day (or multiple days!)

Are you able to take off a whole day for team building? If so, the sky is the limit (or rather, everything within a 50-mile radius is the limit). Plan a team outing to a nearby lake or beach. Don’t worry, you don’t have to repeat the disastrous events of that one episode of The Office where they all go to the beach.

An outdoor team outing, such as a group hike or kayaking together at a lake, can really foster team building. Everyone can use their skills while communicating – without the distraction of digital devices. 

Another idea for a whole day of team building is to spend the day volunteering. Choose a charity or cause that your team feels passionate about (you can choose this yourself or hold a meeting where everyone decides together) and then spend a day giving back. You might sort donations at a food pantry, walk dogs at the local shelter, or clean up a beloved community park. Feeling active? Run or walk a charity 5k together. You can even create custom t-shirts beforehand to showcase your team spirit. 

If you only have an hour to spare

At a busy workplace, it’s not always possible to devote an entire day or even half of a day to team building. That’s okay!

If you only have an hour to spare for team building, you can still bond while having fun. One simple idea to try that will boost morale is an anti-roast. Think of it as a compliment hour where everyone goes around saying nice things about one coworker. 

You can also set aside time to share stories that bring everyone together – think of it as storytelling around a campfire, but at work (P.S. microwaved s’mores are encouraged). Create prompts on index cards to fuel conversation on topics such as a first day of work story, a work travel story, or the weirdest thing that happened during a commute to work.

Other activities that don’t take up much time include craft hours, such as pumpkin decorating for Halloween or gingerbread house making for Christmas. Make it extra fun by introducing some friendly competition with prizes to the activity.   

Why team building works

Team building shouldn’t be forced but it should be structured. It’s up to you to plan an event or a series of events that is organized but still leaves room for fun.

Why team building? Team building is more than just a good time; it’s an investment in your employees. It can boost productivity, reduce turnover, improve communication, and create a workplace that people like coming to. 

P.S. Don’t forget the food!

TooJay’s Catering can make an awesome team building event even better. Good catering is an essential part of any team building experience. 

Whether you’ve opted for a physical activity like a 5k that deserves a hearty meal afterward or you want to make an afternoon of storytelling livelier with some sweet desserts, TooJay’s Catering can make the bonding experience a memorable one.

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source https://www.toojays.com/team-building-activities/