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As the holiday season approaches, human resources (HR) leaders and managers face a wonderful opportunity to foster a positive and appreciative work environment. Demonstrating gratitude towards their teams is not only a seasonal tradition but also a powerful way to boost morale and strengthen employee engagement.
Below, Forbes Human Resources Council members explore 20 straightforward yet highly impactful ways HR leaders and managers can show their appreciation during the holidays. Discover why this gesture goes beyond festive cheer, creating a lasting impact that can improve team dynamics, employee retention and overall workplace satisfaction.
1. Hosting An Appreciation Event
HR leaders can express their gratitude for their team during the holiday season by first understanding what holidays their teams observe (or not)—then organizing an appreciation event. This could be a team luncheon or even a personal note. It shows how each employee is uniquely valued and respected which will boost morale, enhance job satisfaction and foster a positive work environment. - Ashley Perryman, Spiceworks Ziff Davis
2. Being Inclusive
Acknowledging different cultures and traditions is invaluable. If possible, feature employees and their family traditions in staff communication forums. Additionally, remember that everyone does not enjoy the holiday season. Providing additional mental health support for staff is essential to trying to meet the needs of all team members. - Misty Johnson Oratokhai, Events DC
3. Organizing An Inclusive Holiday Celebration
This could include a holiday party or gathering where employees are recognized and appreciated for their hard work throughout the year. It's important to be sensitive to the diversity of your workforce and ensure that the celebration is inclusive and respectful of various cultural traditions. - Rick Hammell, Atlas
4. Celebrating Employees
Capture photo memories of the wonderful achievements and success stories to highlight all they've accomplished throughout the year. Our company has a gratitude event in November rather than a traditional Christmas or holiday party. Sharing gratitude with one another and for our clients is priceless! - Amanda Connelly, CMP
5. Giving A Holiday Bonus
If company funds are allowable, a monetary bonus is always beneficial for employees. Another way leadership can demonstrate gratitude for their team during the holiday season is by taking the team to lunch or organizing a company party with fun prizes. This can be very impactful regarding employee retention. We want to show our appreciation for their hard work. - Charissa Cromwell, Visual Connections LLC
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6. Sending Personalized Messages
HR leaders and managers can demonstrate gratitude during the holidays by sending personalized thank-you messages to team members. This gesture fosters an emotional connection, boosts morale, inspires teamwork and enhances employee retention and productivity, contributing to a positive workplace culture. - Smarthveer Sidana, HireQuotient
7. Giving Employees A Significant Amount Of Time Off
This would be impactful as spending time with family and loved ones during holidays is what matters most to employees' lives. To ensure business continuity, HR leaders should lead in ensuring team efficiency so that when other team members are away, especially during the holiday season, work still gets done. - Modiri Nlanda, Orange Botswana
8. Establishing A Peer-To-Peer Recognition Program
Q4 can be the busiest time of the year, and employees can be stressed and feeling overwhelmed. Establishing a peer-to-peer recognition program can go a long way to shout out the folks who are making things happen, and guidance for managers to make time in their weekly team or one-on-one meetings to specifically shout out good work, and express gratitude for each team member. - Cat Colella-Graham
9. Asking Employees About Their Work Needs
While it may seem like a simple recommendation, we often overlook taking the time to understand what our employees need, especially during the holidays when not everyone may celebrate in the same way. This approach is a wonderful way to demonstrate support, express gratitude for their efforts and enhance productivity and morale. - Megan McCann, McCann Partners
10. Giving The Week Between Christmas And New Year's Day As Paid Time Off
The gift of time has been the best way to express my gratitude. In addition to the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday, I now include the week between Christmas and New Year's Day as paid time off. Employees value the time to be with family but most of all, the time to refresh before starting the busy new year. - Kathleen Duffy, Duffy Group, Inc.
11. Praising Achievements Publicly
A powerful, and often overlooked, way to demonstrate gratitude is by praising individual or team achievements in a public setting, like a company-wide email or meeting. This can boost morale and make employees feel valued. Recognized employees tend to be more engaged and motivated in their work, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. - Liz Corey, Velosio
12. Saying 'Thank You'
The job of HR is complex and demanding, and many HR professionals are on the verge of burnout. Saying thank you tells people you care and helps them feel appreciated. It truly is the thought that counts. Twenty years ago a client gave me a hand-written thank you card and it meant the world to me. And, if you know your team you will know what each person enjoys and can choose accordingly. - Mikaela Kiner, Reverb
13. Giving Personalized Gifts
We collect the interests and passions of our employees and keep them in their employee files. This enables HR teams to give our managers details about their team members and personalize gifts. From the avid bicyclist who would love a REI gift card to the parent with four kids who would love an extra PTO day, it's always more impactful when it feels personal. - Jessica Wallen, AGC Biologics
14. Giving Employees A Record Of Their Successes
Employees are motivated by evidence of their impact on the business. Compile individual end-of-year records of success so you can give each employee concrete evidence of their results. It gives HR leaders and managers a vehicle to personally recognize and applaud individual efforts—and can help frame training goals for the next year to further build on success. - Graham Glass, CYPHER LEARNING
15. Providing Resources
Gratitude should be shown daily, but during the holidays, start by honoring employee traditions and providing resources to help cope with holiday stress. This might include flexible hours for caregivers, a holiday mental health day, virtual team-building events for remote workers, access to healthy holiday ideas or a work party that supports sobriety and doesn’t infringe on personal time. - Michael Held, LifeSpeak Inc.
16. Allowing Time Flexibility
Personal to-dos often overlap with business hours during the holiday season, whether it's holiday shopping or child care during school vacations. Gratitude can be as easy as allowing employees to work adjusted schedules and shows invaluable trust during a stressful season. - Bjorn Reynolds, Safeguard Global
17. Expressing Gratitude Often
Expressing gratitude is important during the holidays but can fall flat if that appreciation is not expressed all year long. When employees feel celebrated and valued on a regular basis, they’re more motivated. We have regular team shout-outs and "Thankful Thursdays" to express gratitude for contributions that week. We also gather the team for summits, quarterly meetings and our holiday party. - Leigh Yanocha, Knopman Marks Financial Training
18. Creating A Space Where All Employees Can Celebrate
Take the time to learn what holidays are meaningful to each of your employees and create a space where each person has the opportunity to celebrate and observe that holiday in a way that is meaningful to them. Understand how each employee wants to be recognized and what gratitude means to them. Have opportunities to celebrate together as a team and individual ways to appreciate each person. - Oksana Lukash, Avid Bioservices
19. Organizing A 'Gratitude Tree'
Organize a "Gratitude Tree" where employees write appreciative notes to each other and hang them on a festive tree. Employees write appreciative notes to their colleagues, recognizing their contributions. It reinforces a culture of appreciation among team members, strengthens interpersonal relationships and builds a more harmonious environment. - Jennifer Patterson, Patterson Consulting Group
20. Giving Your Undivided Attention
I believe two of the greatest gifts you can give someone are your time and your undivided attention. One-on-one lunches or coffee breaks outside the office during the holiday season are a great way to show gratitude and get to know your co-workers better. Spending time together and making a point to actively listen is impactful because it makes the other person feel valued and heard. - Hazel Kassu, Sudduth Search
