Ideas for Festive & Inclusive Workplace Holiday Celebrations

Celebrating the holidays with your team is more than just a festive activity; it’s an opportunity to boost morale, foster stronger relationships, and show appreciation for your employees. Workplace holiday celebrations create a joyful atmosphere that reinforces team spirit, builds camaraderie, and helps employees feel valued. A well-planned celebration can also enhance inclusivity, recognizing the diverse cultural and religious traditions of team members. By celebrating thoughtfully, companies create an inclusive environment that makes every employee feel respected and valued during this meaningful time of year.

Plan for Inclusivity for Your Holiday Celebrations

A truly inclusive holiday celebration starts with understanding and respecting the diversity within your team. Here’s how to approach holiday planning in a way that everyone can enjoy:

• Survey Your Team: Send out a simple survey to learn about your team’s holiday preferences, traditions, and availability. This feedback will help you plan celebrations that align with everyone’s interests and ensure no one feels left out.
• Recognize Diverse Holidays: Keep in mind that not everyone celebrates the same holidays. Recognize multiple holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and New Year’s. You could display a multicultural holiday calendar or host a “Holiday Around the World” event to educate the team on different celebrations.
• Be Mindful of Non-Celebrants: Some team members may not observe any holidays or prefer to keep festivities low-key. Offer flexible options to accommodate different preferences, such as providing quiet spaces or giving employees the choice to opt out of certain activities.

Fun and Festive Holiday Celebration Ideas

Once you’ve taken steps to ensure inclusivity, it’s time to dive into some fun and engaging holiday ideas that can help your team celebrate in a meaningful way.

• Holiday Party (Virtual or In-Person): Whether online or in person, holiday parties are a classic way to celebrate. Make it inclusive by offering a range of activities, like a themed dress code, a holiday trivia game, or a karaoke session. For virtual teams, use an online platform that enables breakout rooms for different activities, allowing employees to choose where they’d like to spend their time.
• Decorate Together: Decorating the office or Deck the Cubicles as a team fosters collaboration and excitement for the season. For remote teams, encourage participants to create holiday-themed backgrounds for virtual meetings, or send out DIY decoration kits that everyone can use to decorate their workspace.
• Potluck or Catered Lunch: Host a holiday meal that celebrates the diversity of your team. Ask employees to bring dishes that reflect their family traditions or arrange for a catered lunch that includes a variety of cuisines. For virtual teams, send food delivery vouchers so everyone can enjoy a meal together during an online celebration.
• Secret Santa or Gift Exchange Alternatives: While Secret Santa can be fun, it may not be inclusive for everyone. Consider alternatives, like a “Secret Kindness” exchange where employees perform acts of kindness for each other, or a “Book Exchange” where team members gift each other inspiring books for the new year.

Team-Building Activities With a Holiday Twist

Infuse holiday spirit into team-building exercises to keep things festive while strengthening team connections.

• Holiday-Themed Team Games: Host a holiday trivia quiz, a gingerbread house-building contest, or a scavenger hunt. These activities are fun and interactive and foster teamwork. For remote teams, holiday-themed escape rooms or virtual board games can be a great way to get everyone involved.
• Charity Drives and Volunteering: A wonderful way to celebrate the season is by giving back. Organize a team charity initiative like a toy drive, food bank donation, or volunteering day. This can be a rewarding experience that brings the team together with a shared purpose, and for remote teams, consider a virtual fundraiser or donation-matching program.

Remote Holiday Ideas for Celebrating Virtually

With remote work, celebrating the holidays virtually has become the norm for many teams. Here are ways to make a virtual celebration just as engaging:

• Virtual Holiday Party: Set up a virtual celebration with activities like holiday-themed quizzes, online crafting sessions, or a holiday movie screening. Host a virtual gift exchange or arrange for festive snack packages to be delivered to remote employees.
• Digital Holiday Cards or Messages: Encourage team members to create digital holiday cards or messages for each other. Set up a shared holiday memory board where team members can post favorite holiday moments or photos.
• Festive Video Backgrounds and Dress-Up Days: Add some holiday flair to your virtual meetings with festive video call backgrounds, or host a themed dress-up day where everyone wears a holiday sweater or seasonal colors.

Expressing Appreciation During the Holidays

The holidays are a perfect time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of your team. Here are ways to show your appreciation:

• Personalized Thank-You Notes: Handwritten or digital thank-you notes can have a meaningful impact. Take a moment to express gratitude for each employee’s unique contributions, making the message personal and sincere.
• Holiday Bonuses or Gifts: Small tokens of appreciation, like holiday bonuses, gift cards, or thoughtful gifts, are a tangible way to recognize your team’s hard work. Give personalized gifts that reflect individual interests or wellness items to promote relaxation and self-care.
• Team Recognition Ceremony: Host a recognition event where you highlight team achievements and recognize employees who went above and beyond. Make it special by creating custom certificates, awards, or trophies.

Creating Lasting Memories and Boosting Team Morale

Celebrating the holidays at work can leave a lasting impact on team morale, build stronger connections and set the tone for a positive new year. Planning inclusive and festive activities create an environment where employees feel appreciated, recognized, and connected. When done thoughtfully, these celebrations can cultivate a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond the holiday season. Embrace the holiday spirit, honor your team’s diverse backgrounds, and create memories that will bring joy and unity to your team for years to come.

Schedule a demo with Assembly today to discover how you can boost employee engagement and foster inclusivity throughout the year, creating a thriving work environment.  

FAQ’s

What are some inclusive holiday celebration ideas for diverse workplaces?

Inclusive holiday celebrations acknowledge and respect the diverse cultures within your team. Consider hosting a “Holidays Around the World” event, which lets employees share their unique traditions and cultures. Recognize multiple holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and the New Year by decorating a shared space with symbols from each or displaying a multicultural calendar. This approach fosters awareness and appreciation among employees and creates an environment where everyone feels represented.

How can I make virtual holiday celebrations engaging for remote teams?

For remote teams, make virtual celebrations interactive and varied. Set up activities such as holiday trivia, online crafting sessions, or virtual holiday karaoke. Organize a virtual gift exchange, send festive snack packages, or encourage employees to use holiday-themed virtual backgrounds. Hosting a holiday dress-up day or a digital card exchange also brings the team together, making the virtual celebration lively and festive.

How can I show appreciation to employees during holiday celebrations?

The holidays are a great time to express gratitude. Personalize your appreciation by giving each employee a thank-you card that acknowledges their unique contributions. Consider small tokens of appreciation like gift cards, wellness items, or customized gifts that reflect individual interests. For larger gatherings, hold a recognition ceremony that highlights team and individual achievements, creating a positive and memorable experience for everyone.

What are some holiday team-building activities that promote inclusivity and teamwork?

Infuse holiday spirit into team-building exercises that support inclusivity. Host a gingerbread house-building contest, a holiday-themed scavenger hunt, or a charity drive where team members work together for a cause. For remote teams, consider virtual escape rooms, online board games, or digital trivia. Adding a holiday twist to these activities enhances teamwork while keeping the celebrations engaging and inclusive for all.