6 Great Ways to Celebrate a Solar Eclipse With Employees
On Monday, April 8, 2024, many areas of the country will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. The path of totality will run through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. It will then cross over Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and Maine before moving over Canada. Totality will last for approximately four minutes, but the solar display can be enjoyed from start to finish over more than an hour in the middle of the workday. How can you celebrate the solar eclipse with your employees?
1- Provide Solar Eclipse Eyeglasses
The intensity of solar rays can damage your eyes. However, with protective solar eclipse glasses, you can observe the full event without discomfort or injury. Keep in mind that ordinary sunglasses are not suitable for watching an eclipse. When your entire team has the right glasses, you can take a break from your workday to enjoy the sun’s spectacle together.
2- Host a Potluck Picnic
All of your employees may be eager to stand outside and gaze up at the eclipse, which takes place over lunchtime. Rather than simply venture outdoors together, create a socializing event. A picnic lunch is the perfect way to take full advantage of the eclipse. You can keep costs down by setting up a potluck picnic and inviting everyone to bring their own chairs.
3- Order Lunch for Your Team
If your budget allows, you can cater a lunch for your employees. The lunch can serve the dual purpose of watching the eclipse together and thanking your team for their hard work. Consider picnic-style foods, such as deli sandwiches or fried chicken for a casual, springtime event.
4- Celebrate with Sweet Treats
While you may want to plan a picnic during the eclipse, you can enjoy the fun throughout the day in various ways. For example, encourage your employees to bring homemade treats or store-bought goodies to fit the occasion. Circular treats, such as donuts or cookies, are one idea. You can also do a black-and-white theme to represent the eclipse, such as chocolate-dipped Oreos or brownie balls with cream icing.
5- Have a Costume Contest
Halloween is not the only day of the year when dressing up can be fun. The solar eclipse presents themes like lightness and darkness, celestial bodies, and outer space in general. Invite your team to participate in a fun costume contest. The winner could receive anything from a small gift card to a few extra hours of paid time off.
6- Close the Office
The eclipse’s totality will last only a few minutes, but the entire spectacle will last for roughly two and a half hours. Your employees work hard, and the eclipse is the perfect time to take some much-needed time off. By closing the entire office for at least part of the day, you can celebrate the event together. You could even shut down operations for a full day and structure in team building exercises before and after the eclipse.
The next total solar eclipse over the United States will not occur until 2044. Because of this, this year’s special event is worthy of a celebration. Start planning a solar eclipse celebration for your employees today.
