12 Days Of Christmas: Employee Engagement Activities To Do For The Holidays

12 employee engagement activities for the Christmas season

Tis' the season for family, friends, and magic, but work doesn't cease. The holidays can be a hectic and stressful time for any business, large or small. But it doesn't have to be all work and no play. There are plenty of ways to boost employee engagement during the holiday season.

Not only will these activities help improve morale and increase productivity, but they'll also promote a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. Here are 12 days of Christmas-themed employee engagement activities your business can do for the holidays:

You can begin organizing these activities roughly a month before Christmas. This will give you enough time to gather materials, plan logistics, and promote the event to employees. These activities should take place during work hours so that everyone has a chance to participate.

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1. Decorate the office together

Deck the halls with boughs of holly? Maybe tinsel, lights, and streamers? Of course, you'll want to decorate the office for the holidays! But instead of having a few people do it, make it a team effort. Employees will appreciate getting into the Christmas spirit together, and it's a great way to bond.

Everyone can bring in their decorations and take charge of a different area. You can also hold a contest for the best-decorated desk or cubicle.

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2. Christmas potluck lunch

Have a potluck lunch where everyone brings in their favorite holiday dish. It's a great way to try new foods and recipes and a fun way for employees to share their culture and traditions with each other. Remember to have them write down what they bring ahead of time so that people with allergies can avoid certain dishes. It will also avoid having too many desserts.

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3. Secret Santa gift exchange

A classic Christmas activity, a secret Santa gift exchange allows employees to think about others. Simply have employees draw names out of a hat and purchase a small gift for that person. This activity promotes giving and can help people get to know each other better. Set a budget ahead of time so people aren't pressured to spend too much money.

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4. Christmas movie marathon

Get into the holiday spirit with a Christmas movie marathon. Employees can bring in their favorite movies and snacks to share. You can also have a competition for the best holiday movie trivia. Some examples of classic Christmas movies include Will Ferell's "Elf," "Home Alone," and, for some reason, "Die Hard" starring Bruce Willis.

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5. Ugly sweater day

If your workplace is generally casual, have an ugly sweater day where employees can wear their tackiest holiday sweaters. You can also hold a contest for the best (or worst) sweater. This is a great way to get people into the festive spirit and have a good laugh.

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6. Christmas party

Most companies have an annual Christmas party, but you can make it more engaging by involving employees in the planning. You can create committees for different aspects of the party, such as decorating, catering, and entertainment. It's an excellent opportunity to hand out bonuses and make a speech about the company's annual accomplishments.

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6. Holiday trivia game

Trivia is always a popular game, and you can tailor it to the holidays. Have employees form teams and compete to answer questions about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday. The winning team can get a prize, such as a gift card or extra vacation days. You can find trivia questions online or make up your own.

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7. Have a gingerbread house contest

One of the quintessential Christmas activities, building gingerbread houses, is a great team-building exercise. You can provide the gingerbread, icing, and candy or have employees bring their own supplies. Have employees work in teams to build the best gingerbread house. Be wary; architecture firms may have an unfair advantage!

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8. Donate to a local charity

The Christmas spirit is all about giving, so why not involve your employees in a charity drive? You can collect donations of food, clothes, or toys for a local charity. Alternatively, you can volunteer together as a group at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. This activity is a great way to give back to the community and build team morale.

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9. Make cards for local seniors or kids in the hospital

If you have artistic employees, put their talents to good use by having them make cards for local seniors or kids in the hospital. This activity is a great way to spread some holiday cheer and brighten someone's day. Not to mention, it's a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

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10. Host an award ceremony

Everyone loves getting recognized for their hard work, so why not host an award ceremony for your employees? You can hand out awards for things like the best salesperson, most productive employee, or even the funniest office moments.

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11. Go caroling around the office

Get into the holiday spirit by caroling around the office. Employees can dress up in holiday costumes and sing Christmas carols or other holiday songs. You can even carol around the block if there are neighboring businesses around.

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12. Have a holiday-themed happy hour

After a long day of work, unwind with a holiday-themed happy hour. Employees can enjoy festive drinks and holiday snacks. It will help them let off some steam and relax before the holidays. The cocktails can be non-alcoholic for those who don't drink.

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Other Fun Christmas Activities

There are plenty of other Christmas activities that encourage staffers to join in on the festive fun as well as improve employee engagement. Here are several other holiday activities you can include in your employee engagement strategy.

• Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
• Play a game of virtual holiday bingo on Christmas Eve
• Invite the team to put up festive decor around the office (i.e. Winter wonderland-themed decor)
• Create personalized Christmas cards to send out to employees

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Other tips to boost employee engagement during the holidays

Although fun and games can do wonders for the employee experience, you can do a few other things to ensure your workers are engaged during the holidays.

Here are a few other tips:

• ‍Encourage employees to take vacation days: It can be tempting to work through the holidays, but it's essential to encourage employees to take some time off. It will help them recharge and come back feeling refreshed.‍

• Be flexible with hours: If possible, be flexible with employees' hours during the holidays. That way, they can attend holiday parties or spend time with family.‍

• Offer holiday bonuses: Everyone loves getting a bonus, so consider offering employees a holiday bonus. This will show them that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.‍

• Give gifts: Small gifts are a great way to show your employees how much you appreciate them. You can give them a holiday mug, a gift card, or even a festive plant.

• Note about cultural sensitivity.

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Last but not least, it's essential to be culturally sensitive when celebrating the holidays at work. Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, so you must showcase your willingness for inclusion. You can always ask around if you're unsure what holiday your employees celebrate. You can also provide a variety of holiday activities, so everyone can participate.

With these Christmas activities, you're sure to have a fun and festive holiday season at work. Happy Holidays!