7 Ways to boost employee morale before Christmas
Many people feel anxious and exhausted before Christmas. In this article, you will find simple and proven ways to increase employee morale, reduce stress, and keep the team motivated and engaged.
For many, the Christmas holidays are hectic. People need to meet tight deadlines and achieve year-end goals at work while making holiday preparations and buying presents for family and friends. Workplace responsibilities and family obligations go in tandem, which may increase stress and even lead to burnout.
Use the ideas below to reward your staff for good work, boost their morale, and increase loyalty.
Why increase employee morale before Christmas?
High employee morale leads to better productivity and improves the well-being of your employees. Here is why it is essential to improve the morale of your team in the holiday season:
- Boost productivity. If you create a positive environment in the workplace and make the staff feel appreciated, it improves the morale and productivity of the team.
- Foster teamwork. Employees with high morale tend to be more engaged at work. As a result, they are more open to teamwork and solving customers’ problems, which reflects on the company’s bottom line.
- Improve retention. If the company organizes team-building activities, and festive events, and recognizes employee contribution, it helps reduce turnover. People who feel valued and appreciated at work are seven times more likely to stay with their current employer for a year or more.
How to boost employee morale during the holidays?
Organize a fun Christmas party at the office
Organizing an office Christmas party is a great way to thank the employees for their hard work and help them bond with each other. Think about the party theme, games and activities, the Christmas dinner, and other celebration elements.
Christmas party ideas for the office
- Play Scavenger Hunt
- Put on ugly Christmas sweaters and take photos
- Serve mulled wine and other Christmas drinks
- Organize a Vegas-style party with a photo booth
- Organize a Harry Potter-themed party with DIY cosplay and Hogwarts-inspired dinner
Host an award ceremony
Christmas is the time to be grateful, so why not offer recognition and rewards to employees? Award employees who went above and beyond this year and made notable contributions. You can grant awards to thank employees for their work, or print out the funny certificates to that nobody fells left out:
- Employee of the Month
- Salesperson of the Year
- Best Team Player
- The Loud Typist
- Office Bestie
- The Most Caffeinated
Consider hosting an award ceremony and encourage everyone to share funny stories about each other and express gratitude. Such a simple form of recognition will foster a positive atmosphere and help bond the team members.
Create a flexible work environment
By allowing the employees to work flexible hours or offering paid leave, you let them address personal priorities before Christmas, such as buying presents for kids or planning a Christmas party with friends. When people have enough time to take care of their plans, they’ll be more focused and productive during working hours. Plus, it will show the employees that you value their contribution and respect their life outside work.
Here’s what you can offer the team to give them more flexibility:
- Flexible schedules and working hours
- An extra paid or unpaid leave
- Remote work days.
Create a festive atmosphere
One of the simplest ways to put everyone in a festive mood and cheer up the team as the holidays approach is to give your office a Christmas vibe. Decorate the office with wreaths and ornaments, organize team-building activities, or take part in the charity event. Engaging in fun holiday activities will bring everyone together and put them in a festive mood. Here are some ideas to create a wonderful Christmas atmosphere in the office:
- Office decoration contest – encourage everyone to decorate the workstations, hallways, and other office areas. Let the most creative team win!
- Holiday-themed activities – organize a Christmas movie night, Scavenger Hunt, gingerbread house decorating contest, or play other Christmas games. Foster a sense of unity among the coworkers.
- Give back to the community – consider participating in a local charity initiative, volunteering, or giving away clothes. Or, donate money to a charity project.
Offer bonuses and employee discounts
Financial bonuses before Christmas can work wonders on employee morale. The study shows that companies that spend 1% of their payroll on recognition have a 79% higher success rate in achieving their business goals. A holiday bonus will show your appreciation and keep the team motivated for the next year. Plus, employees who feel appreciated and receive regular recognition are more likely to stay with the same employer for the next year.
In addition to monetary bonuses, you can show appreciation by offering gift cards and employee discounts.
How to show appreciation and improve employee engagement?
1. Bonuses for top performers
2. Vouchers or gift cards
3. Office furniture upgrades
4. Gift cards to restaurants or retailers
5. Company-branded merchandise
6. Paid spa, fitness, or wellness packages.
Exchange Christmas presents
Encourage everyone in the office to exchange festive gifts. It will help the team bond and know each other better, plus everyone will feel the joy of gift-giving. To save on gifts, you can play the classic Secret Santa gift exchange game. Set a budget of $15-25 so that everyone can afford to buy something for a coworker. All players draw names from the hat and then choose a present for the person whose name they got. Each Santa should prepare the present secretly and not reveal their identity until the gift exchange day!
With our MySanta generator, you can draw names online in seconds. Each player tells what they’d like to get for Christmas and completes a wishlist, which makes choosing the present quick and easy. On the gift exchange day, everyone unwraps the present and guesses their Secret Santa, which is accompanied by laughter and fun.
Foster open communication
Transparent communication is important all year round. During the holiday season, your employees will appreciate it if you communicate the updates in work schedules, company initiatives, and KPIs beforehand. Knowing what is expected of them will help the team minimize stress before holidays and boost morale.
How to ensure effective workplace communication?
Try to avoid late-hour emails and last-minute changes, as weeks before Christmas are usually busy. Give people plenty of time to take care of their personal errands. Thus, they will be more engaged during the working hours. Ask about employees’ preferences when it comes to schedules and Christmas party activities to make them feel heard and appreciated.
These simple tips can boost employee morale during the holiday season, reduce their stress levels, and foster engagement and well-being. Most of these tips aren’t costly – giving your coworkers flexibility they need during the festive season and listening to their needs can increase employee loyalty, and they will return to work feeling refreshed and energized.
