As the holiday season is coming about in full swing, it’s a good time to think about something special to do for your employees. Showing your appreciation and a little holiday spirit can be as simple or big and exciting as you would like. Employees will appreciate even small tokens of thoughtfulness like Christmas cards or holiday treats. As some companies do, you can even go as far as throwing a holiday party. This can definitely be a great time for employees to bond outside of the office. Employers could have a simple dinner, hire entertainment for the night, or many other possibilities. You can even be a little wacky and have a tacky holiday sweater party, play office games like holiday movie trivia, or go caroling with a local charity. Events can include friends and family if desired. For example, a company I know had Santa with miniature horse “reindeer” pulling his sleigh stop by the office for the employees and their family and children to see. This was a great time for the employees there to bond outside of work and get to know one another’s families.
Having some type of celebration adds to the workplace culture of your company in showing that you care about employees beyond their work life. You can show employees that you are grateful for their service to the company throughout the year, and you also simply want to do something nice for them. In addition, employees can get to know each other on a more personal basis which can lead to a great foundation for future teamwork and inter-office relationships in general. A fun time with the pressures of everyday work life off can really help employees to be more personable. It is important to remember to keep events under control, however, as to prevent any wild and embarrassing stories from “last year’s Holiday party”.
Gifts could undoubtedly be a good option for showing gratitude to your employees. Bonuses, gift baskets, small gift cards, or any assortment of gift would definitely brighten an employee’s day. Employers should make sure to get gifts of approximately equal value for all employees as to avoid any unwanted tension or jealousy among employees, unless you reward bonuses based on performance with structured appraisals. You could even take the chance to really encourage your employees to relax with a spa gift certificate or gym membership to promote health and fitness. Those gifts that seem to have involved thought of what employees could really need or would appreciate will likely be very well received.
On a final note, it’s important to remember not to go overboard as to offend anyone who may not celebrate the holidays in the same way as you. Notice if you have any employees that don’t celebrate in typical ways, and make plans to take that into account. Whatever your holiday plans, make sure that they are inclusive to all of the employees who may be involved. You can take steps like neutral terminology like “holiday party” instead of “Christmas party” to ensure more inclusion. Regardless of what you call it and what you do, holiday events are a great way to show employees that you appreciate all of their hard work, have a little fun in the workplace, and for co-workers to get to know each other more personally.
