As employers prepare for their annual festivities, the mental health charity Mind has released new research suggesting that 1 in 3 employees would rather take part in a Christmas activity than head to the pub.
The research, conducted by Populus on behalf of Mind, also showed that 33% of respondents would like to have a daytime option for socialising with their colleagues over the festive period. And 28 % would like to spend time with colleagues but wish it didn't revolve around drinking.
With regards to activities and coping mechanisms over the Christmas period, a time during which many people feel overwhelmed, the results showed that 40% find arts and crafts relaxing, 16 per cent use exercise and 6 per cent use meditation.
Karen Bolton, Head of Community and Events Fundraising for Mind said: "We commission research each year to understand who most enjoys taking part in fundraising activities at Christmas.
"There definitely appears to be a desire to socialise with colleagues, take part in activities and find non-sports fundraising events to take part in. So our Crafternoon event is the perfect opportunity for colleagues to come together and do all three at once.
"As well as making cards and gifts, the afternoon could also provide an opportunity to create unique hand-made office decorations - perhaps inspiring a little team competition for the best dressed working space this festive season."
Crafternoon is part of Mind's festive fundraising drive and means getting together with friends, family or colleagues and holding an afternoon of creative fun. Whether it is card making, knitting, crocheting, or bauble making, previous research suggests crafting of all kinds can be good for our mental health. Anyone can host or take part in a Crafternoon at a time that suits them.
Whether it's organising a Crafternoon at work, at home, or in a local café, inviting people to enjoy a fun, craft-themed event while raising funds for a good cause can boost both mood and wellbeing. Many people find creative activities like colouring in and needlework particularly therapeutic because they help you relax and unwind, focus on producing something and can even offer the chance to spend more time with loved ones.
Karen added: "Every penny raised through Crafternoon makes a big difference - just £50 could answer six calls to the Mind Infoline - a confidential service which provides much-needed support to people living with mental health problems."
Click Crafternoon for guides full of tips and ideas so crafters young and old, expert or novice, can unleash their creativity and help Mind make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.
Populus conducted 2,079 online interviews with a nationally representative sample of UK respondents aged 18+. Interviews took place online between the 12th and 14th October 2018 with quotas set on age, gender and region and data weighted to the known profile of the UK.
