The holiday season is upon us! While this time of year is typically focused on friends and family, it's also a perfect opportunity to spread cheer with your coworkers. Building camaraderie in the workplace has been shown to increase productivity by over 20% according to a Gallup study. Here are some fun ways to enhance the holiday spirit within your company:
Host a festive potluck or cookie swap.
Ask employees to bring in their favorite holiday treats to share with colleagues. Not only will you end up with a delicious spread of goodies, but it gives people a chance to bond over baking stories and recipes.
Decorate the office together.
Pull out the tinsel, ornaments, and string some twinkle lights. Play some classic holiday tunes to set the mood. When coworkers come together to create a space, it builds team spirit and gives everyone a sense of ownership over the holiday décor.
Plan a Secret Santa gift exchange.
This allows coworkers to thoughtfully choose small gifts for one another within a certain budget. The surprise and delight in receiving a present specially selected for you by a colleague helps to strengthen workplace bonds. You might also consider decorating your office or workspace with a holiday-themed door decorating contest. Nothing quite captures the fun, creative spirit of the season like decking the halls (and doors!) with boughs of holly.
Organize an ugly holiday sweater contest.
Nothing says holiday fun quite like tacky knitwear! Offer a prize for the ugliest sweater to encourage full participation. People will get a kick out of the silly outfits, and it makes for great photo ops.
Host a holiday party.
This party, complete with festive snacks, music, games, and a gingerbread house contest is another way to help coworkers get into the holiday spirit. According to a recent survey, 76% of employees feel that company-sponsored holiday parties improve morale and help build closer relationships with colleagues. While the details of the party are up to you, be sure to keep things lighthearted, inclusive, and avoid controversial topics like politics and religion. While you're at it, make sure to keep a neutral holiday theme to ensure everyone feels included/like they can celebrate.
Give back to the community.
The little things matter when it comes to spreading good cheer. Doing small acts of kindness like serving in a soup kitchen, supporting an Angel Tree, donating goods to local shelters, and many others can make a big difference in creating a positive work environment. This holiday season, try to spread warmth, joy and togetherness. The bonds you build now will last well beyond the New Year.
Conclusion
The holidays only come around once a year, so take the opportunity to spread cheer at your company. Bringing people together with festive activities is a surefire way to boost morale, build new connections, and make the most of the season. May your days be merry and bright!
