5 Ways to Boost Employee Morale with Creative Holiday Cheer

Are you looking for creative ways to bring holiday cheer to your office? If so, look no further because in this special article, we’re bringing you some very interesting and unique ways to bring jolly and joyful attitudes into your work environment.    

Read on to see our compilation of the 5 most creative ways to boost employee morale during the holidays.

Holiday ideas for boosting employee morale:

1.) Spread Christmas Cheer for All to Hear

We all love the sentimental memories and feelings that our favorite holiday songs conjure up each year. One of the easiest ways to spread holiday cheer in your office is to play your staff’s favorite seasonal songs.     

How Does Holiday Music Affect Employees at Work? Studies show that music enhances your staff’s productivity and spreads a general good feeling. That being said, some of your employees may hate hearing the chipmunk’s rendition of “Jingle Bells” on an annoying loop. If you follow these general rules before selecting your office holiday playlist, you should be in the clear. 

• • Don’t Overload Your Staff

Start playing holiday music just a few weeks before Christmas; start too early and your staff will be overwhelmed and annoyed. Avoid replaying the same playlist, artist or album and create an eclectic holiday soundtrack for your team to enjoy.  

• • Consider Going Lyric-Free

If you want to maintain a more neutral, focused and conservative holiday environment, stick to lyric-free seasonal songs. This will have your employees humming to their favorite winter songs while they focus on their work.   

• • Stick to the Classics

The soothing and familiar holiday classics will spread cheer throughout your office in a subtle manner. Get your office feeling like home with the cool stylings of Bing Crosby or the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.

• • Be Culturally Sensitive
  Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Blessed Advent! Here in America, we are fortunate to have a melting pot of different religions, beliefs and preferences around this time of year. When picking out music, be sure not to alienate or exclude any team members.  

Ask your employees if they’d each like to make a holiday playlist for the office. This way, everyone can have a turn at spreading holiday cheer for all to hear with their favorite seasonal tunes. 

2.) Get Creative with Cubicle #Deskorations

In a global study of 3,000 employees, Forbes Magazine reported that happy employees are:

• • 180% More Energized Than Less Content Colleagues
• • 155% Happier with Their Jobs
• • 108% More Engaged at Work
• • 50% More Motivated
• • 50% More Productive

One sure way to get your staff to break a smile is to get creative with your holiday decorations at the office. Dress up the refrigerator in your office kitchen as a snowman, wrap your office door like a Christmas present or hang stockings for your employees.   

If your office workspace is casual and your entire team wants to help build elaborate Christmas decorations, have at it. To give you some great ideas for how you can #deskorate your cubicle so that it really stands out this year, click here and view some elaborate office holiday decorations.

3.) Mixing Aromatherapy and Holiday Smells

Your sense of smell is a powerful sense that is often overlooked. Bring in mild incense, aroma sprays or, if you allow fire in your office, scented candles to add a dash of holiday feeling in the air.

“The smell of cinnamon reminds me of the holidays.”

Treat your employees to a cinnamon scent and do more than bring about the holiday season. According to How Stuff Works, “Researchers have found that [cinnamon] reduces drowsiness, irritability, and the pain and number of headaches. In one study, the aroma of cinnamon in the room helped participants to concentrate and perform better. The essential oil and its fragrance help relax tight muscles and ease painful joints.”

“I always think of my childhood Christmas when I smell peppermint.”

Live Strong Magazine shares that, “Peppermint oil is a natural stimulant that can increase your ability to concentrate during times of mental fatigue or stress.” When your staff feels drained around the holidays, a whiff of peppermint should perk them right up.

“There’s nothing like the smell of pine trees during the winter.”

The Global Healing Center recommends spraying a hint of pine as it, “Stimulates the body and mind, and has an energizing effect on the overall person. As an aromatherapy agent, it has been used to support adrenal fatigue and mild depression.”

Don’t overlook your employees’ sense of smell this year. This aromatic option is one of the easiest ways to boost employee morale during the holidays while also boosting their productivity.

4.) Gift a Cup of Holiday Cheer

A 2015 Gallop Survey on coffee consumption discovered that, “Just under two-thirds of U.S. adults drink at least one cup a day.” According to the same Gallop study, less than 10% of addicted coffee lovers have a desire to quit drinking their daily cups of Joe. Coffee is here to stay and tea finishes a close second to the beverages your employees crave.    

#LifeHack: “46% of workers claim they are overall less productive without their java, 20% of coffee drinkers claim that it allows them to better socialize with their co-workers and 10% say that it helped them focus before giving a presentation.”

Spread holiday cheer by treating your staff to gourmet or special seasonal blends. Think about how happy your team would be with gingerbread, maple syrup or cinnamon flavored coffee. For your tea lovers, consider purchasing a chocolate peppermint, spiced apple cider or pumpkin spiced tea. If you want to put a decadent topper on that morning cup of Christmas, supply your office kitchen with holiday creamers like frosted sugar cookie or spiced eggnog.

5.) Holiday Office Contests: And the winner is… 

Get your staff in the holiday mood by hosting seasonal office contests. This time of year brings out the creative and talented bakers, shakers and makers. A little healthy competition that gives the entire office tasty yummies or hearty chuckles will keep your team’s morale up.     

• Spiked Egg Nog Holiday Contest

Host an office holiday happy hour and invite your employees to enter their favorite adult holiday drink. Don’t limit your team to eggnog; invite the best ciders, home brewed beers and other holiday beverages to make an appearance as well.

• Best Homemade Dessert Potluck

Cookies, pies, gingerbread, oh my! Give in to your team’s sweet tooth by allowing each staff member to bring in their homemade dessert. Conduct an anonymous or very public vote to crown the winner with a special gift certificate. 

• Best Elf on a Shelf Photo

Recent pop culture has gifted us the viral elf on a shelf photos that make us laugh out loud. Get a contest going amongst your employees and have them submit a creative and hilarious elf on a shelf photo. Warning: Some elves on their shelves can be a bit mischievous. Be sure to lay out some guidelines and rules for your contestants to follow.   

Happy Holidays From Our Team to Yours!

All of our virtual receptionists here at A Courteous Communications wish you a happy and safe holiday season. We hope that these creative ways to boost employee morale during the holidays will help your team to be as jolly and joyful as our team this year.