Labor Day is over and we are officially into the holiday season. What will it look like with Covid still lurking out there? With businesses, restaurants, banquet halls, and gatherings closed? Will we feel like celebrating? Or just getting this year over with? Is there a way to capture the feeling and the spirit of the holidays without the status quo? I think by the time the holidays roll around, we will all desperately need a break and for those of us adapting and working hard during this time, some sort of happy respite.
If you are in the corporate world you know the party of the year is the company holiday party. No expense is spared. Fancy ballrooms decked out, photo booths, open bars, lavish spreads of food, and awesome goodie bags. These corporations celebrate their employees' hard work for the entire year with a big blowout party. This year not only will the employees be left out, but the caterers, cleaning crews, event staff, photographers, djs, and so many more will be missing out during the holidays.
What can be done to combat the appreciation and the celebration and the loss of work for many? What shifts in corporate celebrating will we see?
As the holiday season approaches, it's important to recognize and show appreciation for all of your hardworking employees. Expressing gratitude helps maintain a positive work environment, boost staff morale, and increase overall productivity. To ensure that everyone feels appreciated this winter, take a look at these seven ideas – from rewards to fun activities – for showing employee appreciation during the holidays. With these simple gestures of kindness, you can make sure your team knows how much you value their hard work!
Trends in Employee Appreciation
We’ve seen employee appreciation pick up over the past few months in the way of gifting. We’ve seen companies spending money on gifting employees as appreciation for all their hard work in the midst of juggling all the other things that life is throwing at them right now. The holidays will be no different. We predict more companies will be sending out holiday packages as a reward for a great year and for their employees sticking with them in the strangest and toughest time ever. Companies know what their employees have gone through this year. They’ve been team players for sure, and oftentimes, they are juggling a conference call on mute while they muffle the virtual schooling background noise too.
We're so excited to share some ideas for sending holiday cheer to your employees this year! At Bestowe, we specialize in employee and client gifting, so we've got some great ideas to share. Whether you're looking for something small and thoughtful or a more extravagant gesture, we've got you covered.
Party in Place
As the holiday season approaches, many corporations that have shifted to a remote working environment are looking for ways to show appreciation for their employees, even if it can't be through a traditional in-person holiday party. One solution is to host a "party in place" for remote and hybrid employees. This can be a fun and interactive way for your team to celebrate and connect, even if they are not able to be together in person.
There are many options for hosting a virtual holiday party, including using video conferencing platforms to host games, activities, or even a virtual happy hour. You could also send care packages or gift cards to your remote employees to help them celebrate from home. By getting creative and finding ways to bring your team together virtually, you can show your appreciation and bring a sense of togetherness during the holiday season.
Donate to Charity
One way to send a little extra gratitude this holiday season to employees is with a donation to a charity of their choice. By empowering the employees to give back in ways they might not otherwise be able to this year, I think it will lift everyone’s spirits and do something good in this world. Give them the choice, or give back to something everyone can believe in like Feeding America. Did you know we can also include a donation with your gift for your clients? It's a great way to show you care and give your people a little something personal. Contact us for more information.
Food for Thought
A well-curated gift of local, artisan foods is a great way to show your employees how much you appreciate them this year. Not only will they be able to enjoy delicious and unique treats, but they'll also be supporting small, local businesses.
Consider putting together a gift basket or box filled with items like locally made gourmet chocolates, artisanal cheese and charcuterie, or small-batch jams and spreads.
You could even add in a few local items like a bottle of wine or an artisanal food-related item like a kitchen towel or cutting board. This gift shows that you appreciate your employees and value supporting local businesses and the community. It's a thoughtful and unique way to show your appreciation during the holiday season.
Try out our Deluxe Foodie Box for a holiday treat!
Support Local Artisans
We launched our Community Boxes at the beginning of COVID, but the community still needs support.
Sending a community-inspired gift box as a way to show appreciation this holiday season is a great way to demonstrate your values to your employees. By choosing to support small, local businesses, you're not only showing your appreciation for your team, but also expressing your commitment to supporting the community. There are many options for creating a gift box filled with locally made items.
Some great items include locally roasted coffee, artisanal chocolates, small-batch jams and spreads, or even locally made crafts or home goods. Not only will your employees appreciate the thought and care that went into selecting these items, but they'll also feel good knowing that their gift is supporting local businesses. So this holiday season, skip the big box stores and show appreciation for your employees and the community by supporting local businesses.
Self care for the New Year
Wellness gifts are a great option for showing employee appreciation this holiday season. With the ongoing pandemic and the added stress and uncertainty it has brought, it's more important than ever to prioritize self-care and wellness.
There are many options for wellness gifts that your employees will appreciate, such as wellness-themed gift baskets filled with items like essential oils, bath and body products, or healthy snacks. You could also consider offering wellness perks like additional time off or access to virtual wellness resources. By showing your support for your team's well-being, you'll be demonstrating your appreciation and helping to boost morale during these challenging times.
There are so many great self care tips out there to draw inspiration from - or check out this Wellness Box that we think is perfect!
Home Luxury
With more employees working from home and many taking time off for the holidays, now is a great time to add a little luxury to their home environments. One way to do this is by sprucing up their kitchen or home comforts. Consider items like high-quality cookware or kitchen appliances, cozy blankets or throws, or even items like scented candles or essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere. These small touches can help make working from home more enjoyable and comfortable, and will show your appreciation for your team's hard work and dedication.
Try our Compliment Your Kitchen or Comforts of Home boxes.
Home Office Upgrade
We've all become accustomed to our new work-from-home setups, but a little upgrade never hurts! Sending your employees a treat for their home office is a thoughtful and personal way to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. By sending a little something special for their home office, you'll be showing your appreciation and making their work-from-home experience more enjoyable.
Try out our curated Upgraded Home Office box.
A few other Holiday “swag bag” ideas!
At the end of your big corporate blow out you usually take home a goodie bag, this year’s goodie bag might include things like:
-
Coupons to local eateries, coffee shops, and more!
-
Vouchers for meal delivery services - Grub Hub and Uber Eats are still keeping us going!
-
Essential Oil Roller Balls to detox, destress, and press on.
-
Flower seeds for new beginnings!
-
Chocolates - did I mention the stress?
-
Handwritten thank-you notes go a LONG way with employees. This year don’t forget to include them!
