As the holiday season approaches, remote workplaces face a unique challenge: fostering a sense of celebration and togetherness across virtual borders. But distance doesn’t mean your team has to miss out on the magic. With a little creativity, you can bring your team closer and make the holidays memorable for everyone. Here are 24 fun, thoughtful, and inclusive ways to celebrate the holidays in your remote workplace:
1. Host a Virtual Holiday Party
Transform a Zoom meeting into a festive bash with themed backgrounds, holiday music, and fun activities. Encourage your team to dress up or wear holiday sweaters to set the tone.
2. Create a Holiday Playlist
Collaborate on a team Spotify playlist featuring everyone’s favorite holiday tunes. It’s a simple way to get everyone in the festive spirit.
3. Organize a Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Use platforms like Elfster or DrawNames to pair up team members for a virtual gift exchange. Set a budget and mail gifts before a dedicated reveal call.
4. Send Personalized Holiday Cards
Take the time to craft thoughtful, personalized holiday cards or messages for each team member. Recognition during the holidays makes people feel valued.
5. Plan a Virtual Escape Room
Escape rooms aren’t just for in-person fun. Choose a holiday-themed virtual escape room for a team-building adventure.
6. Hold a “Holiday Around the World” Event
Encourage team members to share how they celebrate the holidays in their culture or country. It’s a fantastic way to learn and celebrate diversity.
7. Run a Holiday Cooking Contest
Invite your team to cook or bake something festive, then share recipes and photos. Bonus points for a live cooking demo!
8. Give Back Together
Collaborate on a group donation to a cause your team cares about. Set up a matching program or pick a charity aligned with your company’s values.
9. Send a Care Package
Surprise your team with care packages containing treats, small gifts, or practical items to brighten their holidays.
10. Decorate Your Workspace Challenge
Host a contest for the best-decorated remote workspace. Encourage creativity with festive lights, themed props, and unique setups.
11. Host a Holiday Movie Watch Party
Choose a classic holiday film and watch it together via platforms like Teleparty. Include a group chat for commentary and laughs.
12. Create a Holiday Recognition Wall
Use a collaborative tool to create a virtual wall where team members can post holiday-themed shoutouts and gratitude messages.
13. Celebrate with Games
Play holiday-themed games like trivia, bingo, or Pictionary. Virtual platforms can make these activities engaging and interactive.
14. Offer Flexible Holiday Hours
Recognize the importance of work-life balance by offering flexible hours or additional time off for team members to enjoy the season with their families.
15. Start a Holiday Reading Club
Pick a festive or inspiring book for the team to read and discuss over a few weeks. It’s a low-pressure way to bond.
16. Set Up a Virtual Photo Booth
Use tools like Snapbar to create a holiday-themed virtual photo booth. Share the fun results on your internal communication channels.
17. Recognize Milestones and Achievements
Use the holiday season as an opportunity to recognize your team’s achievements throughout the year. This is where a tool like Karma shines—make appreciation part of your festivities.
18. Host a Virtual Ugly Sweater Parade
Encourage everyone to wear their tackiest holiday sweater. Make it a competition with categories like “Most Creative” or “Best DIY.”
19. Send a Year-End Video Message
Compile video messages from leadership thanking the team for their hard work. Personal touches go a long way in fostering connection.
20. Plan a Virtual Craft Workshop
Hire an expert or let a crafty team member lead a session to create holiday decorations or gifts together.
21. Organize a Wellness Day
Holidays can be stressful. Host virtual yoga sessions, meditation breaks, or wellness talks to promote relaxation and self-care.
22. Host a Talent Show
Unleash hidden talents with a virtual holiday-themed talent show. Singing, storytelling, or comedy—anything goes!
23. Incorporate Team Traditions
If your company has holiday traditions, adapt them for the virtual world. Whether it’s a toast, a toastmasters-style speech, or a group activity, keep the spirit alive.
24. Provide Professional Development Gifts
Invest in your team’s growth by gifting them access to online courses, books, or tools they’ve been eyeing for personal or professional development.
Why It Matters
The holidays are about connection, and in remote workplaces, intentional efforts are essential to build and maintain camaraderie. These celebrations not only bring joy but also reinforce a culture of recognition and belonging. By incorporating one or more of these ideas, you can make your team feel valued, united, and celebrated.
The holiday season is the perfect time to show your team how much they’re appreciated. Adding festive rewards to your Karma shop is a simple way to spread cheer and make recognition even more meaningful. Whether it’s cozy gifts, memorable experiences, or opportunities to give back, these seasonal rewards will brighten your team’s holidays and keep the spirit of gratitude alive.
Here’s a list of holiday-themed reward ideas to inspire you this season:
- Festive Gift Baskets – Curated collections of holiday treats or gourmet goodies.
- Holiday-Themed E-Gift Cards – Perfect for online shopping or festive decorations.
- Seasonal Drinks and Snacks – Vouchers for hot cocoa kits, coffee blends, or holiday cookies.
- Winter Wellness Kits – Cozy socks, scented candles, or soothing teas for cold days.
- Holiday Craft Kits – DIY wreaths, ornament-making, or gingerbread house kits.
- Virtual Holiday Experiences – Tickets to online carol concerts or festive cooking classes.
- Decor Credit – Gift cards for purchasing holiday decorations or lights.
- Streaming Subscriptions – Watch holiday classics on Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu.
- Charity Donations – Give team members the option to support holiday-related causes.
- Extra Time Off – A day to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.
Bring the holiday spirit into your recognition efforts with thoughtful, seasonal rewards! Make recognition an integral part of your celebrations with Karma, the ultimate recognition tool for remote teams. Easily send kudos, track achievements, and spread gratitude across your organization—keeping the holiday spirit alive all year long.
Try out Karma for Slack with our demo and subscribe to your 30-day free trial:
Recognition as a Performance Driver