December: a month of indulgence and vitality 🍫

Wellness under the christmas tree 🎁

Organising a Secret Santa is a classic, but what if you give it a healthy twist? Propose a wellness edition where the gifts are small items that contribute to relaxation and well-being. Think essential oils, healthy snack packs, or a fun anti-stress colouring book. This way, the festive spirit remains, and employees get a gentle reminder of their health. One HR manager in a mid-sized company tried this and saw immediate results: employees enjoyed the thoughtful, meaningful gifts, leading to more conversations by the coffee machine that extended beyond just work.

When organising a wellness Secret Santa, consider adding small notes with each gift that include an encouraging message, like: “Enjoy this healthy snack during your afternoon break!” It’s a simple gesture with significant impact: employees feel acknowledged and valued, bringing vitality into focus in an approachable way.

A December advent calendar: a daily mindful moment 🎄

A traditional advent calendar with a wellness twist can be an excellent addition. Create a digital or physical calendar that unveils a daily mindfulness activity or vitality prompt. These can be simple breathing exercises, moments of gratitude, or quick desk stretches. One HR manager who introduced this found that employees felt more aware and calmer throughout the day, even amidst December’s hustle and bustle.

Start the month with a short message, such as: “Today is all about your breathing. Take three minutes to focus on your breath and regain your focus.” Employees feel supported without added pressure, giving them something to look forward to and sparking conversations that extend beyond holiday parties.

Healthy recipes: the holiday swap 🥑

What would December be without all that delicious food? But who says indulgence can’t also be healthy? Launch an initiative where you share a new festive yet healthy recipe with employees each week. It could be avocado brownies or cauliflower mash as a substitute for the classic potato version. This inspires employees to make healthier choices at home without sacrificing the joy of cooking and eating.

Consider offering a taste of a healthy Christmas treat in the shared space, along with the recipe to encourage employees to try it at home. This creates a sense of camaraderie and curiosity about new flavours, without feeling obligatory.

A Christmas step challenge: walk into the festive spirit 🚶‍♂️

Why not introduce a fun, Christmas-themed step challenge? Think of a milestone like “Santa’s Journey” where teams aim to collectively walk the number of steps from the North Pole to the office. This provides a playful goal, keeps employees moving, and promotes team spirit. One HR manager at a large company found that such a challenge became the talk of the office and encouraged colleagues to take spontaneous lunchtime walks.

Make it more personal by setting up a leaderboard where teams can track their progress to the “Christmas destination.” Add a light-hearted update now and then, such as: “Team Finance is almost catching up with Santa!” This keeps the competition fun and engaging, focusing on shared activity rather than winning.

A dilemma-free december 🌟

December is all about connection, celebration, and enjoyment. As an HR manager, you want to add a healthy touch without taking away from the fun. By creating accessible, playful, and festive vitality initiatives, you give employees the opportunity to make healthier choices with a smile. From wellness gifts to playful walking challenges, there are plenty of ways to embrace vitality without dampening the holiday spirit. So, how will you make December just a bit healthier this year?