As we approach the end of the year, we know that the festive season can be a time of both celebration and challenge for many.

For some, it’s a time of joy and togetherness, while for others, it can bring added stress or emotional strain.

That’s why it’s important, now more than ever, to remind our teams how valued they are and to show appreciation for the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year.

Here a suggestion for each day of December to promote wellbeing, connection, and gratitude within the workplace, while creating a supportive environment for all.  Some are really simple and quick; others will take some thinking and imagination.  I will be posting individually on social’s each day but I know for some of you demon planners you want to see the full picture.  So here you go:

December Daily’s

1st: Pay Day Transparency

Make sure that your team are clear on what is happening with pay day.

If you pay before the 24th you will be fine, however anything after that, there can be an expectation from the team that you will adjust the December pay date. 

If you haven’t already, be clear and upfront with your team now – email, memo on the notice board, broadcast in your HR Software – use which even mode of communication that means you know the team have received the information.

2nd: Advent Calendar Sharing

Encourage your team to share their advent calendars.

Consider a sustainable twist, like reusable calendars such as the fabric 24 pocket versions or wooden box calendars.  You can do this whether in an office or with a remote team and share what was in today’s pocket or box.

Or you can consider ideas for low-waste gifting, such as handwritten notes or a DIY craft approach.

3rd: Decorate the Office

Can you decorate the office whether that be at home or together.

Continue focusing on sustainable decorations. Add a competition for the best eco-friendly holiday setup, whether at home or in the office.

4th Secret Santa or Charity Contributions

Encourage sustainable and conscious gifting, and suggest things that align to your workplace values.

Suggest ideas like:

homemade items such as baked goods or knitted items

or

an experienced based gift such as a voucher for a coffee together or a virtual class

or

an option to donate to a mental health charity or donated to a local food back, animal shelter or community focused initiative.

5th: International Volunteering Day

It’s International Volunteering Day today.

Volunteering and giving back has proven health benefits, so could you allow your team time to go and support a local charity or community event?

You will already know what is happening in your local area or be associated with a charity or community organisation.  If you need any further ideas, here are some that are not location dependant:

Royal Voluntary Service - Opportunities

Be My Eyes - See the world together

Volunteer | Zooniverse

We love to volunteer and when Pam Molyneux founded the business, this was one of the first things that she ensured was available in time and budget wise.  We take up volunteering opportunities through the CIPD, the charitable membership body for the HR profession and through the government Enterprise Adviser scheme supporting the young people in a local school with understanding what opportunities are available on leaving school.  The gratitude and sense of togetherness both of these opportunities provide is good for the soul.

Remember to log such time on the records – in your HR Software you can set up a new category in your leave section, this way you can monitor the contribution made and also the support the Company is providing

6th: End of Year Recognition

Host an end of year award ceremony, some form of recognition for the efforts and contribution from your team?

Remember to include things such as going the extra mile award, hero award, spirit award, team choice award, wellbeing champion.

Make it fun and be creative with the arrangements – it doesn’t have to be expensive, a well thought out reflection on the impact each team member has had can be well appreciated. 

Could you present it through a game:

Guess the Team Member – read out a description or achievement and see if colleagues can guess who it is

Or

Recognition Bingo – on the card have in each square things such as “helped on a big project” when this is called out, you could read more details behind it; colleagues still mark their cards and small prizes given for 4 corners, rows and full house

These can be so much fun – yes, its an investment in your time to prepare but really can have such a big impact.

Certificates from such an event, can be a really good thing to store on record as this captures their contribution – in your HR Software this will go into the document section and why not send out a kudos message also.

7th: Do-Good December Calendar

Share the Do Good December | Action for Happiness and encourage the team to get involved.

8th: Christmas Jumper Day

It’s Christmas Jumper Day | Save the Children UK on 12th December.

Appreciate that not everyone will want to get involved with Christmas jumpers so to make this an inclusivity-themed day, encourage the team to participate with outfits from their own cultural celebrations.

9th: Inclusive Celebrations

Remember it’s not just Christmas – there will be more than just Christmas being observed and it’s important that everyone’s focus is talked about.  Encourage storytelling. Have team members share the significance of their cultural or holiday traditions.

10th: Christmas Messaging Collaboration

Organise a team meeting with a view to agreeing the Christmas message for customers.  Brainstorm how the company have supported customers this year and the customers’ experiences.

Talk through what your focus has been this year – has it been on:

sustainability – so an agreed message might be “Just as we care for our planet and people, we care for you—our valued customers. Here’s to a brighter, greener 2025 together.”

wellbeing – so an agreed message might be “This year we have prioritised wellbeing and connection in our workplace.  As we send warm festive wishes we do hope that you find moments of joy”

Or it might be a simple thank you message, “As we wrap up another year, we want to thank you for being an integral part of business journey – sending you lots of joy for the holiday season”

11th: Festive Staffing Levels and Wellbeing

Get your team involved in agreeing the levels of service and working rota’s required during the festive period.

12th: Share Customer Testimonials

Share with the team the results of their work - go get some testimonials from customers and acknowledgements of all their efforts and contribution.

13th: Skill Swops - Development Opportunity

Organise a development workshop in which the team can share what their expertise is with each other – this will obviously cover their main roles but are there other things that they absolutely love doing but don’t really get chance to bring into their role e.g. spreadsheets or sign language or speaking another language.

If anyone is interested in learning more, then maybe 15 minute lunch and learns could be set up to share such knowledge and skills.

14th: Mental Health Awareness

As a manager/business owner its important to nurture psychologically safety in the workplace.

Share the help and support that is available with your team - there are the national helplines which Mind have provided here.

Do you have any team members you are concerned about? Talk to the team about the help and support available and ask them to raise any concerns.

If you have an EAP, remind them of this.

If you are shutting down over Christmas, agree any levels of contact during that time. 

15th: Fun Team Meeting Game

Can you introduce a Christmas game in the team meeting today – a quiz, bingo, what’s in the stocking.

16th: Recipe Sharing

Encourage your team to share their favourite recipes – mine would be a something like a no-Bake Chocolate Rocky Road Bars, as I am not great in the kitchen!

17th: Christmas Movie Sharing

Encourage your team to share their favourite Christmas films – for the feel good factor, mine would be Elf

18th: Christmas Crafting with a Purpose

Encourage the team to share a Christmas crafting activity such as making their own wrapping paper, or making their own wreath, or mindfulness colouring.

19th: Community Festivities

Encourage the team to share photo’s of the most dressed house in their area – it might even be theirs! 

You could do this as team over a lunch time walk whether working together in the office or even remotely.

20th: Snow Day

Who has got snow?  If it’s not snowing anywhere, when was the last time they got snow and can they share any photos of them sledging or building snowmen.

21st: Stargazing and Connection

Encourage the team to share any constellations they see with the clearer and crisper December nights.

22nd Outdoor Meeting for Wellbeing

Can you get the team out in nature today for the team meeting instead of sitting at the desk.

23rd Favourite Family Photo

Encourage your team to share their favourite photos of their family or friends get togethers.

24th: Early Finish or Wellbeing Time

Where you can, let your team leave early.

It won’t be possible in all companies and industries but for those that can, it really will go a long way.

If an early finish isn’t possible, could some extra time be given for them – an extended lunch break or a meeting to check in on what their plans are

25th: Merry Christmas

A very Happy Christmas to you and your team.

26th: Christmas Crackers for Fun

If you are working today, why not share the best or worse Christmas cracker jokes.

27th: Pet Day for Stress Relief

Encourage your team to share their favourite photos of their pets. 

28th: Focus for the Year Ahead

Share with your team what the focus is for 2025. 

What are you trying to achieve in 2025, how can each individual team member contribute and be involved in that.

29th: Team Input for 2025 Plans

What would you team like to see in 2025 - a team building day, a change to the way you do the team meetings over breakfast time or lunch time, a team walk.

Put your parameters around it associated with time and budget and let their creative thoughts flow – get them involved and try and do something new.

30th: Jar of Joy for January

Thinking ahead to how your team might be feeling when they return to work in the new year – could you introduce a #jarofjoy for January.

A really simple activity, each day, you and your team write onto a piece of paper something you are grateful for and place it in a jar. 

This can bring gratitude each day whilst reflecting on what to write and at the end of the month it is a great reminder of everything that has brought joy. Talk to your team now about it and then they have something good to look forward to.

31st: New Year’s Eve Reflections

It’s finally here – the last day of 2024! A very Happy New Year’s Eve to you and your team and all the best for 2025.

 As we wrap up this year and head into the festive season, let’s remember that the little things make a big difference in showing appreciation and fostering a sense of community. Whether it’s through an act of kindness, a moment of recognition, or offering support for wellbeing, these efforts go a long way in making your team feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

Remember, investing in your team’s wellbeing isn’t just a gesture in December —it’s a year-round commitment that builds stronger relationships, higher morale, and a healthier workplace culture.

Here’s to a brighter, more joyful year ahead for you and your team. 

And my gift to you is the return of Wellness Wednesday Check-In’s, a free, year-long initiative designed to help you take 15-30 minutes each week to focus on yourself and your wellbeing.

What I hear you say!  I don’t have time to do that!

Well in the fast-paced world of leadership, it's easy to put the needs of your team above your own. But here's a truth we often forget—you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re not prioritising your wellbeing, how can you expect to give your best to others?

Starting in January 2025, you’ll receive:

• 52 weekly touchpoints: Delivered every Wednesday via email at 1.30pm, these quick, actionable tips will focus on different aspects of wellbeing—from mental health to physical health, leadership skills, and resilience. These are designed to be practical and achievable in just 15-30 minutes each week.

• Workbook completion: A reflection workbook to help capture your thoughts and any actions needed on each week's theme, reinforcing your growth and wellbeing.

• Monthly hour-long sessions: Once a month, join a group session where we will dive deeper into the themes from the workbook and share experiences with fellow managers. It’s an hour dedicated to yourself—you deserve it!

The key to success is simple: prioritise yourself. If you can’t find 15-30 minutes each week, there’s a bigger issue at hand. Taking that time will allow you to be a better leader, better colleague, and most importantly, a better version of yourself.

If you are joining me, I look forward to supporting you throughout 2025