Description:
How to make virtual holiday celebrations actually feel genuinely connective for a remote team, especially when some people might be celebrating alone while others have big family commitments? Looking for ideas beyond another Zoom quiz.
5 Answers
Our company sent everyone a small gift basket with snacks and a nice drink. Then we just had an informal chat session, no agenda. Felt more relaxed and people actually talked.
- Abigail Day: your gift basket idea reminds me of the time I tried to surprise my remote team with homemade cookies and it turned into a hilarious disaster because half got squished in the mail! But seriously, I agree that keeping it chill with no strict agenda lets folks open up more, which makes all the difference. Do you find sending physical goodies actually boosts the vibe, or is it just a nice gesture? Sometimes it's tricky to get snacks that everyone can enjoy with different dietary restrictions
- George Hill: Hey Abigail, I totally get the cookie mail struggle—sounds like a funny disaster! For us, sending physical goodies did help boost the vibe beyond just being a nice gesture. It gave people something tangible to connect over and made the event feel a bit more special. We tried to keep dietary restrictions in mind by offering a few snack options, plus some drinks like sparkling water or tea—something for most tastes. It's definitely a balancing act but worth the effort to make folks feel included and cared for.
Try mixing synchronous moments with asynchronous options to respect different holiday situations. Set up small breakout pods and keep them under six people so conversation actually happens. Invite people to share a single meaningful item, recipe, photo or a 90 second story rather than perform. Send a small budget and a deadline to mail comfort kits or snack boxes so everyone can open together, or stagger opens for different time zones. Consider collaborative projects like a digital recipe book, playlist or video montage people can add to over a week. Make participation optional and low friction. Little rituals matter. Quick, cozy and thoughtful.
Join the conversation and help others by sharing your insights.
Log in to your account or create a new one — it only takes a minute and gives you the ability to post answers, vote, and build your expert profile.
Similar Questions
-
How can remote teams create inclusive holiday traditions?
Our fully distributed team spans multiple countries, religions, and time zones. We want recurring holiday rituals that build belonging and recognition without centering one culture or pressuring participation. What practical, low-cost, timezone-friendly ideas can teams use (virtual and asynchronous) to celebrate diverse holidays? Please include ways to get leadership buy-in, communication templates, accessibility tips, and...
-
What are some creative ways to celebrate work anniversaries for a fully remote team?
Our team is fully remote and distributed across several time zones. We want to celebrate work anniversaries in a way that feels personal and meaningful, not just a generic Slack message. What are some creative and inclusive ideas beyond virtual cake?
-
Why do companies implement year-end shutdowns during holidays?
Why do some employers close offices and require employees to take time off around major holidays (company-wide year-end shutdowns)?
-
How to adapt company traditions for a global remote workforce?
How to adapt long-standing company traditions or annual events (like an end-of-year party, company anniversary, or team awards) for a fully remote and global workforce to ensure they remain inclusive and meaningful across different cultures and time zones?
-
Where to find inclusive holiday gifts for a diverse workplace?
Looking for reliable sources and ideas for holiday gifts that work for a multicultural, multifaith, and partially remote team
-
How can I propose a fair floating-holiday policy for a diverse team?
Our team spans different faiths, cultures, and countries, and the fixed company holiday calendar leaves some people without paid time for important observances. I want to create a proposal HR and leadership will accept that balances inclusion with operational needs.
-
Is it possible to use holiday traditions to enhance team diversity?
Could acknowledging different cultural festivities actually bring teams closer together and improve collaboration? It seems like a fun way to learn about coworkers’ backgrounds, but I wonder if there are any challenges to doing this thoughtfully.
-
How can I respectfully balance work deadlines during major holidays?
How do people navigate this without feeling guilty or stressed? I’m curious about strategies to honor holidays while staying professional and productive.
-
Explain how holiday traditions impact workplace culture
I’ve been thinking about how different holiday traditions influence the vibe at work. Do these celebrations actually affect teamwork or employee morale? It’s interesting to consider whether embracing diverse holidays can create a more inclusive and positive environment.
-
Why is honoring diverse holiday traditions important for leaders?
What practical, low-effort steps can managers take to acknowledge multiple traditions (scheduling, food, decorations, optional observances, small adaptations to meetings) without making it feel performative or excluding others?