Making Room for Staff Morale Activities in December
We all know that this time of year is busier than ever, but this doesn't mean that staff morale activities and games should fall by the wayside. Actually, anytime we have a busier than usual schedule, is usually when we need a boost the most. That's why it's so important to prioritize some holiday staff activities to keep everyone cheery and happy to be at work!
And don't worry friends... these holiday staff morale activities won't have you working all hours like a Christmas elf! These easy-to-prep ideas come together quickly so that you can spread a little holiday cheer to your staff members without burning the candle at both ends!
1. Staff Secret Santa
Let's kick this list off with a holiday classic - Secret Santa! I love Secret Santa because it allows for a bit of mystery and fun during the holidays. The version that I used in my school has a bit of a twist that makes this even easier and less pressure to facilitate as well. It works by placing a poster with a picture of Santa on a co-worker's door or at their desk with some kind of seasonal treat. Then, they get to play Santa and choose a co-worker to gift next. I would often start this off by choosing two co-workers and then letting the snowball continue.
I always recommend starting this one early so that there will be time for the posters to travel through your school to everyone. I also usually send out a little note with gift ideas so that staff know they need not be large or extravagant. I suggest items such as:
- holiday candy
- peppermint latte
- holiday stickers
- microwave popcorn
- classroom decorations
- red and green class art supplies
- favorite seasonal read-aloud and more
I love seeing how creative the staff get with this one and it's fun seeing all of the Santa posters displayed all over the school as people are gifted. This is a great holiday staff morale activity to kick off the fun in your school!
2. Hot Cocoa Bar
Staff snack bars are among my favorite ways to celebrate when it gets busy because they allow staff to visit the break room and grab a treat when it fits their schedules. In December, I always host a Hot Cocoa Bar to add some holiday magic to our day! This is a lot of fun to put together and totally customizable for your group.
First, you'll gather your supplies. You can choose to host this activity potluck style or use funds from your Sunshine Committee to fund it. I liked to make a few large pots of homemade hot cocoa and then keep them warm in slow cookers. You can also use coffee urns with hot water and cocoa packets as well if you prefer. I also made sure to grab plenty of toppings and add-ins, because that's what makes this so much fun! Some things to consider include:
- whipped cream
- peppermint sticks
- sprinkles
- candy
- sweet treats to eat with cocoa
I also liked to grab some holiday decorations and plastic tablecloths from the dollar store to add a bit more fun to the mix. Then, on the day of, I set everything up and hang some signs to let staff know they can come to grab a cup of cocoa in the break room. Bonus points if you can get some holiday music playing in there too! Everyone loves this and it tends to create a sense of warmth and camaraderie among the staff. They'll often sit and visit as they sip their cocoa and talk about their holiday break plans. It's a wonderful moment to connect, chat, and take a breather together during the busy holiday season!
If you want to simplify this process, be sure to check out my Hot Cocoa Bar Resource. Inside you'll find instructions, a shopping list, a recipe for hot cocoa, room decor and signs, as well as labels for cocoa and add-ins. This resource has everything in one place and will make it super quick and easy to set up a cocoa bar of your own!
3. Holiday Postcards
If you need an inexpensive way to thank and recognize each of your staff members this holiday season without breaking the bank, I think you'll love these Holiday Postcards! These were designed to allow you to send a customized message to each member of your staff. There are a variety of card designs included for different holidays and seasonal sentiments.
There are even some designs included that can be sent to loved ones of staff to tell them how much you enjoy working with their family member. This is an extra special touch that goes a long way and really makes staff feel valued. No matter which option you choose, I know your staff will love receiving these!
To use, you will simply choose your design and copy both a front and back side to each card. Then, cut, and fill them out and you're good to go! They're ready to be addressed and mailed out. You can also pop these into staff mailboxes, but I think receiving them at home makes it even more special.
4. White Elephant Book Exchange
I am always looking for ways to make holiday fun more affordable for staff members. I never wanted anyone to feel stretched too thin or stressed out about participating in an event. That's one of the reasons I absolutely love this White Elephant Book Exchange! It's the perfect staff morale game for your holiday party or meeting and is super simple to facilitate!
To set this up, you'll send out a letter to staff that lets them know you'll be hosting a book exchange. Their task is to bring a book to swap. It doesn't have to be new, gently used is absolutely fine, making this a budget-friendly option. They will wrap the book in holiday paper and bring it to the exchange.
Then, you'll set up all the books in a display and have each staff member draw a number. Then, going in numerical order, each person will choose a book. After they choose, they open it and can either keep it or steal/swap it for another book. This continues until everyone has gone and had an opportunity to "steal". If you've never played White Elephant before, this really gets to be a lot of fun once a few people have stolen books! When you're finished, everyone will have a "new to them" book to read over the holiday break!
5. Holiday Simmer Pot
Last on my list is another fun, inexpensive gift idea for your staff members. This Holiday Simmer Pot is the perfect gift to hand out before the holiday break. Staff will love setting this up and using it over the holidays while they relax at home. Each bag of goodies contains the following:
- orange (or mandarin)
- cinnamon sticks
- cloves
- fresh cranberries
- rosemary sprigs
You'll bag all of these items up in a small cellophane bag and tie it with a holiday ribbon. Then, you'll attach a tag with instructions to each bag. To use, staff will empty the contents of the bag into a pot or slow cooker, cover them with water, and simmer on low for a wonderful holiday fragrance that will fill their home. This is such a wonderful gift to hand out as it's low-cost, thoughtful, and adds so much festive holiday flair to the air!
Make Planning Holiday Staff Morale Activities Simple
So, which one of these holiday staff morale activities was your favorite? It's always hard for me to choose, which is why I tend to incorporate them all. Since they are all inexpensive, low-prep, and easy to facilitate, it's a no-brainer in my book! I love that with just a few simple activities, staff will feel valued and connected to each other during this crazy busy time of year. If you'd like to simplify your staff activities in December too, be sure to check out the December Staff Morale Bundle.
Inside you get all 5 of these activities so that you can get started right away with prepping! Each of the resources includes detailed instructions and just about everything you need to sprinkle some holiday magic among your staff! I know you'll love not having to worry about planning engaging staff morale activities during this already busy time of year. Have fun celebrating with your staff!
Looking for More?
Be sure to check out these posts for more ways to celebrate with staff!
Save This Post
Make sure to pin this post on Pinterest so that you can come back to it when you're ready to plan your holiday staff morale activities.