Your Guide for Holiday Planning
We’ve all been there: the last-minute holiday scramble. Wondering what to gift your employees and how to acknowledge them in the unique way they deserve. With the added logistics of a distributed team, restrictions on gathering, and no magic sleigh to help, the task can seem daunting. We get it! So, this year we’ve rounded up our favourite event and gift ideas to lighten the load.
Whether you’re planning to show your appreciation for your employees or wow your clients with an awesome gift, here’s our list to inspire you for this holiday season.
Events
Gone are the days of the traditional office party. Many companies have waved goodbye to their office altogether, and others aren’t ready to get everyone together in close quarters. Enter the virtual office party! These events are accessible to all, easy to plan, and do a great job of bringing everyone together. Here are some of our favourites with options linked:
Quiz Night - a classic pub quiz for the team that likes a little competition
Virtual Cooking Classes - ingredients can be delivered ahead, or gift cards provided to team members in different locations
Virtual Gingerbread House building contest - non-denominational cheer that can easily be done virtually with kits sent to participants
Virtual Coffee Tasting Breaks - send an Aeropress and beans to each employee. Sample an assortment of delicious local coffees together each morning for a week.
Virtual Wine Tastings -Ditto to the coffee idea except at night. If you know your team enjoys wine and this will be an inclusive experience
Zoom Talent Show
Remote Secret Santa gift exchange - provide a budget, draw names, and have your team send gifts in advance. Open as a team
Virtual Escape Room - a classic, well-loved (by most) team building exercise
If you have a hybrid team, make sure to plan for your remote team first to ensure an equitable experience. Consider sending swag or food/beverages to arrive before the event so everyone can enjoy them together. Bonus points for deliveries on the day-of! If you are set on gathering IRL, consider the risks of WorkSafe BC claims if illness was to spread. Gathering in person may be best for smaller teams with limited travel required.
Swag
Hoodies and coffee tumblers are a trusted staple in most swag orders, but surprising your team with something unique may make this year memorable. Here’s a list of items we’re coveting:
Holiday colouring books - customizable options available online
Puffy vests
Backpacks - waterproof options are especially popular
Laptop stands or other WFH desk accessories
Wine Tumblers
Stainless steel straws, beeswax wraps and other sustainability-focused items
Plain flannel “shackets” embroidered with a company logo - this is a great idea for sharing some of the PNW lifestyle with distributed teams
Local gift baskets (check out Mangosteen Giftboxes)- a selection of local goods to share with your team near and far
Goods from Canadian makers, woman-owned businesses, BIPOC creators and goods that give back, upcycle and make the world a better place!
A focus on the “unboxing experience” is becoming popular, especially for distributed teams. Consider how items are wrapped and think about ways to present the gift in a thoughtful way—ahead of the party, all on the same day (if possible), or wrapped in a useful item. For clothing, ensure you’re offering inclusive sizing and focus on practical items for your team.
This is a time to celebrate a year of achievements and come together as a team. With this sentiment guiding you, any event or gift will prove to be memorable and “just right” for your team.
Wishing you a warm and festive holiday season from your friends at Reimagine Work.