What are the best ways to celebrate Christmas and energize your workplace at the same time? 🎄

The gratitude tree 🎁

As the holiday rush takes over, it’s easy for employees to focus on deadlines and miss the chance to celebrate one another’s contributions. Why not create a festive gratitude tree? Invite employees to write compliments or thank-you notes to their colleagues on colourful ornaments or sticky notes. These can be hung on a Christmas tree, if you have one, or arranged on a wall in the shape of a tree.

This simple activity creates a visible reminder of connection and positivity. From acknowledging team achievements to small acts of kindness, these notes inspire an atmosphere of appreciation. If space is tight, consider using a corkboard or office window as a canvas for these heartfelt messages. Place festive materials like paper and pens in a common area. Encourage employees to contribute by sharing examples of what they’re thankful for. It can be a teammate’s support on a project or a friendly word that brightened their day. Follow up by sharing some of the notes at a team meeting or posting a photo of the tree on your intranet to spread the cheer.

Holiday hydration week ☕

The holiday season often brings indulgent snacks, but hydration is key to maintaining energy and focus. A "Holiday Hydration Week" is a fun and easy way to encourage employees to stay refreshed. You can set up a small station in the kitchen or breakroom with festive infused water options. Think of cranberry and mint, orange and cloves, or apple and cinnamon. All great choices to fit the season.

Don’t have the resources for a station? No problem! You can keep it simple adding a variety of holiday teas like peppermint or chai to the lunchroom table. If you want, you can also decorate the area with tinsel or fairy lights to create a cosy vibe that invites employees to pause and refresh. Start by encouraging employees to try a new flavour each day, like a mini "hydration challenge." Add a festive touch by naming each drink something fun, such as "Rudolph’s Refresher" or "Mistletoe Mojito" (non-alcoholic, of course!).

The motivation jar 💪

December is a natural time for reflection, and the new year offers a fresh start. Help employees focus on their personal and professional aspirations by setting up a motivation jar. Place it in a visible area and provide cards. Ask your employees to write down their goals, whether they’re related to mental wellness, physical health, or career growth.

The beauty of this activity is its flexibility. Employees can share their goals anonymously or choose to include their names. You can think of kicking off the new year by reading out some of these aspirations (anonymously if needed) at a team meeting. Or, later in the year, revisit the jar to remind everyone of the goals they set and celebrate progress. Encourage participation by sharing examples like "Take walking breaks," "Learn a new skill," or "Collaborate more with colleagues." Make this jar a recurring feature in your vitality initiative, offering regular moments of reflection and motivation.

Card making station ✂️

Holiday cards are a timeless way to spread cheer, but they’re also an excellent activity to foster creativity and connection. You can set up a card-making station in a communal space, stocked with cards, pens, stickers, and other decorative materials. Employees can take a moment to write a kind message to a colleague, share holiday wishes, or simply enjoy a creative break.

This activity is not only festive but also a meaningful way for employees to recharge. You can set up the card-making station for a few days or even a full week to give everyone the chance to participate at their own pace. Cards can be exchanged, displayed in the office, or even collected anonymously and handed out as a surprise. Think also of sharing prompts like "Write a thank-you to someone who made your year better." You could even turn it into a team event by hosting a card-making lunch session with holiday music.

Keep the stretching spirit alive 🎶

The Christmas holiday season offers a fantastic opportunity to introduce fun and festive wellness activities while laying the groundwork for year-round habits. Stretching breaks, for example, are a simple yet effective way to boost energy and reduce stress in the workplace. If you're already running desk stretching sessions, you can easily give them a holiday twist by rebranding them as "Elf stretch breaks." An enthusiastic group leader can guide employees through fun stretches like "Santa’s reach" (stretching overhead as if reaching for presents) or "Candy cane twists" (gentle torso rotations). After the holidays, you can easily transition these sessions into a regular feature of your vitality initiative. Rebrand them under a neutral name like "Desk wellness breaks," and keep the momentum going.

For those new to movement sessions, this is the perfect time to start. Themed activities, like stretches set to holiday music, make the concept approachable and fun for everyone. Schedule short, 10-minute breaks during the day. Assign a volunteer to lead, or use a video to guide the group. Share a calendar invite to make your employees participate, and remind employees that this simple habit can leave them feeling more energised and focused.

Wrapping it all up 💡

Adding vitality to your workplace during the holidays doesn’t require grand gestures. Small, thoughtful activities like a gratitude tree or a hydration station can energize employees and strengthen your workplace culture. As an HR manager, these celebrations are your chance to combine festive joy with wellness, leaving your team feeling appreciated and ready for the year ahead.