“31 ideas that can be adopted and used to suit your working setup, team size and budget - get your team talking and increase togetherness through simple activities each day.” - Pam Molyneux

1st

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 staff that you will adjust the December pay date. Be clear and upfront with your team now.

2nd

Ask your team to share the advent calendar today – is it a chocolate pudding, a chocolate wreath or have they got something fancier?

If you are in an actual office, can you get a calendar for the office and take it in turns.

 3rd

Ask your team if they want to get involved in a secret Santa gift exchange – agree a limit with them and let the gift hunting begin!

A brilliant alternative for this is making a contribution to charity, which is what we are doing as part of our Business for Good ethos with B1G1

4th

Are you able to 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.  Make it fun and be creative with the arrangements.

5th

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? We love to volunteer through the CIPD Enterprise Adviser scheme and support the young people in a local school with understanding what opportunities are available on leaving school.  The gratitude and sense of togetherness it provides is good for the soul.

6th

Why not check out this webinar for managers provided by our partner BrightHR, on HR Essentials: Effectively manage sickness and absenteeism this winter – happening today at 11:30.

 7th

Share the Do-Good December calendar from Action for Happiness.

8th

It is Christmas Jumper Day run by Save the Children today - wear your Christmas jumper and get your team involved. We wrote an article for the CIPD Manchester branch recently of creating your own Christmas jumper which the team might want to get involved with.

9th

Remember it’s not just Christmas – ask your team to share what their celebrations are, there will be more than just Christmas being observed and it’s important that everyone’s focus is talked about.

 10th

Get your team involved in writing your Christmas messaging to customers.

 11th

Get your team involved in agreeing the levels of service and staffing required during the festive period.

 12th

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

13th

If applicable, share with the team what the Christmas bonus is. Times are hard and if you can't afford the usual Christmas bonus, you need to be talking to the team now. Share with them the business situation - they will respect that more than being told nothing at all. Is there a more affordable alternative that you can offer?  Sometimes, even a simple handwritten card can be just what is needed as long as the team know the circumstances.

14th

Share the help and support that is available - 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

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

16th

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

17th

 Ask your team to share their favourite recipes.

18th

 Ask your team to share their favourite Christmas films.

19th

 Ask your team to share a Christmas crafting activity such as making their own wrapping paper, or making their own wreath.  

20th

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

21st

Ask your team who has got snow.  If it’s not snowing anywhere, ask them when the last time was they got snow and to share any photos of them sledging or building snowmen.

22nd

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

23rd

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

24th

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.

25th  

A very Happy Christmas to you and your team.

26th

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

27th  

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

28th
Share with your team what the focus is for 2023.  What are you trying to achieve in 2023, how can staff contribute and be involved in that.

29th

Ask your team what they would like to see in 2023 - 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

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 staff now about it and then they have something good to look forward to.

31st

It’s finally here – the last day of 2022!

A very Happy New Year’s Eve to you and your team and all the best for 2023.