Top Ten Tips for... Engaging your Remote Team at Christmas

The festive season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. Keeping your team engaged and motivated during Christmas can require a little extra creativity. 

However, there are plenty of unique ways to turn the festive season into an opportunity to strengthen team bonds, boost morale, and show appreciation for your team’s hard work. By adding a personal touch, you can make this time of year memorable and rewarding for everyone.

   1. Extra time off or flexibility 

Giving employees an extra half day or full day off during the festive season shows you value their well-being. It allows them to relax, recharge, and spend some quality time with friends, family, and loved ones. If you are unable to offer this to the whole workforce, why not be more lenient on flexi-time, giving employees the opportunity to go for a festive lunch or get some Christmas shopping done with friends!   

   2. Recognition and awards 

Publicly acknowledging employees’ hard work and achievements through personalised shout outs and awards fosters a sense of pride and motivation. Why not showcase your teams’ biggest achievements over the last 12 months on social media, or even organise a mini award ceremony?  

Related: Showing Appreciation and Recognition in the Workplace

   3. Team Christmas party / get together 

If possible, why not organise an in-person festive celebration? This is a great way to say ‘thank you’ to your team for their hard work, and for everyone to connect with each other in person. This could be a small lunch-time get together, a traditional Christmas meal, or a glitzy evening party! 

   4. Personal gifts 

Do they have a hobby or particular interest? Incorporating them into a gift shows genuine thoughtfulness, making the gesture more meaningful. This personal touch boosts morale and encourages a more positive work culture.  

   5. Virtual secret Santa 

Use a platform like Elfster to organise a remote secret Santa! Set a budget and have fun choosing a gift for your recipient. If you can’t get together in-person, host a virtual meeting so you can open your gifts on camera together.  

   6. Festive activities  

Plan a fun, engaging festive activity like a virtual advent calendar. This could be a daily challenge, trivia question, or activity for the team to get involved in. This is a great way to get the whole team involved, to share stories and connect with each other virtually. Why not try creating an interactive calendar on a site such as Canva?  

   7. What do your employees want? 

Engagement is crucial for a happy workplace. Ask your colleagues what they want to do for the festive season or just how they would like to be rewarded. Giving them flexibility to choose a reward or activity will show them that you value their opinions and ideas.  

8. Be mindful 

Although many love the festive season, it’s important to be mindful that for some, Christmas may be a stressful time of year. Ease the burden for those who may feel overwhelmed by offering flexible working, providing 1-1 support, or just by understanding that not everybody will want to join in on the celebrations and activities.  

   9. Provide opportunities for development  

With the New Year approaching, many employees will be reflecting on the last 12 months and considering new goals and plans for the year ahead. It’s a great opportunity to offer opportunities for professional growth, as a way to invest in your employees and offer them long-term success. 

Related: Encouraging Lifelong Learning

   10. Remember, rewards should extend beyond the festive season  

Remember, to retain a workforce who are motivated and engaged, it’s important to keep them motivated all year round! Your appreciation shows employees that their efforts are valued, which will contribute towards positive mental and emotional wellbeing in the workplace. Rewarding your team can include monetary, non-monetary, and personalised gestures. 

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cHRysos HR Solutions are a UK wide HR training and consultancy company offering CIPD accredited qualifications, Apprenticeships, Training and HR Services to SMEs. For more information about how cHRysos HR can help you or your teams successfully achieve further qualifications, contact us on info@chrysos.org.uk or call 03300 562443.