Fun Things to Do with Employees During the Holidays

The holiday season is a perfect time to build team spirit and show appreciation for your employees' hard work. Engaging in festive activities can strengthen bonds, boost morale, and create lasting memories. Here are some fun things to do with employees during the holidays:

1. Host a Holiday Party

A holiday party is a classic way to celebrate the season and show appreciation for your team.

• Themed Parties: Choose a fun theme for your holiday party, such as "Winter Wonderland," "Ugly Sweater," or "Retro Holiday." Decorate the venue and encourage employees to dress accordingly.

• Potluck Dinner: Host a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share. This can create a sense of community and allow employees to showcase their culinary talents.

• Secret Santa or White Elephant: Organize a gift exchange like Secret Santa or White Elephant. These activities can be fun and lighthearted, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

2. Plan a Team-Building Activity

Team-building activities can be both enjoyable and beneficial for strengthening workplace relationships.

• Escape Room: Take your team to an escape room. Working together to solve puzzles and complete challenges can improve communication and teamwork.

• Bowling or Mini Golf: Organize a friendly competition at a local bowling alley or mini-golf course. These activities are casual and fun, providing a relaxed atmosphere for bonding.

• Cooking Class: Arrange for a group cooking class where employees can learn to make holiday-themed dishes. This can be a fun, hands-on experience that encourages collaboration and creativity.

3. Volunteer Together

Giving back to the community is a meaningful way to spend time together during the holidays.

• Charity Drive: Organize a charity drive where employees can donate toys, food, or clothing to those in need. Consider partnering with a local organization to maximize the impact.

• Volunteer Day: Plan a volunteer day where the team can work together on a community service project. Whether it’s serving meals at a shelter, cleaning up a park, or helping at a food bank, this can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

• Fundraising Event: Host a fundraising event, such as a bake sale or a charity run, to support a local cause. Involving employees in the planning and execution can foster a sense of purpose and teamwork.

4. Organize a Holiday Outing

A holiday outing can provide a change of scenery and a break from the usual work routine.

• Theater or Concert: Arrange for the team to attend a holiday-themed theater performance or concert. This can be a festive and cultural experience that everyone can enjoy.

• Ice Skating: Plan a trip to a local ice-skating rink. Even if some employees are not experienced skaters, it can be a fun and entertaining activity that encourages laughter and bonding.

• Holiday Light Tour: Take the team on a tour of local holiday light displays. Rent a bus or carpool to visit different neighborhoods or attractions, and enjoy the festive sights together.

5. Create In-Office Festivities

Bring the holiday spirit to the workplace with fun and engaging in-office activities.

• Decorating Contest: Hold a decorating contest where teams or individuals can decorate their workspaces or a communal area. Provide prizes for categories like "Most Creative," "Most Festive," and "Best Theme."

• Holiday Bingo: Organize a holiday-themed bingo game with fun prizes. This can be a simple and enjoyable activity that employees can participate in during breaks or lunchtime.

• Hot Cocoa Bar: Set up a hot cocoa bar with various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and chocolate chips. This can be a cozy and sweet treat that employees can enjoy throughout the day.

6. Host Virtual Holiday Activities

For remote or hybrid teams, virtual holiday activities can ensure everyone feels included and engaged.

• Virtual Holiday Party: Host a virtual holiday party with games, music, and a festive dress code. Use video conferencing tools to connect and celebrate together.

• Online Secret Santa: Organize an online Secret Santa where employees can send virtual gifts or gift cards. Have a virtual reveal party where participants can guess their Secret Santa.

• Virtual Holiday Trivia: Conduct a holiday-themed trivia game using an online platform. This can be a fun and interactive way to test everyone’s knowledge of holiday traditions, movies, and songs.

Conclusion

The holiday season offers a wonderful opportunity to engage with employees and create a festive and enjoyable work environment. Whether through parties, team-building activities, volunteer efforts, outings, in-office festivities, or virtual events, there are countless ways to celebrate and show appreciation. These activities not only boost morale and strengthen team bonds but also create a positive and inclusive workplace culture that can carry over into the new year.

This article does not constitute legal, accounting, or tax advice and

does not address state or local law.