Everyone knows what goes into a great Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. But what about the elements for the ideal Thanksgiving office party?
You don’t have to feed your colleagues a full-fledged feast this year. Instead, concentrate on the true meaning of the holiday, such as expressing your gratitude and encouraging them to give back to the community. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of creative methods to reintroduce “thanks” and “giving” into your business holiday.
Thanksgiving is a holiday of thanksgiving, therefore it’s the ideal opportunity to express your gratitude to your staff. Here are a few suggestions to get your office Thanksgiving party started.
Plan a Team-Building Exercise
Rather than depending on the traditional provided lunch, organize a fun team activity. Last year, for example, our Workest team held a “Teams giving.” Each team member brought a potluck dish and was given another team member to thank with a personalized gift. Employees may produce inventive gifts for one other that express appreciation without breaking the cash. It’s also a lot more personal than a standard Starbucks gift card.
Make a Thank-you Wall
Creating a “Thank You” wall is a unique approach to express your employee’s appreciation while also giving them the opportunity to do the same for their peers. You can also create posters of thanksgiving and use them to hang on the wall. Thank particular workers for using Post-It notes for something they’ve done for the workplace, and urge them to do the same for one another.
Tell Your Story
Remember that Thanksgiving performance in elementary school where you had to dress up and act out the story? Instead, this year, try sharing your own narrative. Recruit a few coworkers to assist you in writing and performing your company’s tale in front of the rest of the office. Make it a fun and creative approach to commemorate your company’s history by dressing up, including some corporate jokes, and inviting audience participation.
Participate in Festive Games
Having your workers participate in Thanksgiving-themed activities may be a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit for your Thanksgiving celebration at work. Find the roundest pumpkin you can, set up “pins” (toilet paper rolls, paper towels, water bottles, etc.) in the parking lot or corridor, and hold a company-wide tournament. Prizes such as a turkey or handmade pumpkin bread should be given to the victors.
Become a Sponsor For an Event
Instead of attending activities hosted by other organizations, you may host your own community event. Organize a dinner with an attractive thanksgiving menu, carnival, or silent auction and give the money to a worthy cause. You may even ask your staff to vote on the charity they want to support.
Make Use of Your Knowledge
One of the most effective ways to give back is to use what is uniquely yours – that is, to help others using your company’s skill set. For example, LinkedIn gives free resume assistance to veterans, and Kraft Foods provides food and nutrition knowledge to aid in the battle against hunger in North America. Find out what your firm and exceptional workers can do to help your community, then put it into practice this Thanksgiving.
Taking the time to thank your workers and give back to your community this Christmas season is the ideal approach to get into the holiday spirit. It will also enhance the sweetness of your turkey feast.
