Your office Christmas needs an overhaul

The festive season is a great time for bringing your team together and rewarding their hard work for another year. But it’s time to recognise that the traditional office Christmas celebrations don’t resonate with everyone. 

In diverse workforces, there will be team members for whom other winter holidays have more meaning. For others, the tone of celebrations might also feel isolating, if they’re of the rowdy, late-night ilk or at odds with their sustainable values. There are all kinds of reasons why Christmas can be a tough time personally for many people too. 

As we enter the 2023 festive period during turbulent global times, there’s more reason than ever to plan your celebrations with extra sensitivity and inclusivity. Here’s how to get it right.

 

Choosing the right words

Making everyone feel respected and valued during the festive season (and year-round) starts with the language we use. Consider swapping out Christian-centric sayings for more inclusive alternatives. It’s as simple as saying “festive period” rather than “Christmas period”, for example.

This isn’t about “banning Christmas”, a faux narrative that certain sections of the media like to whip up at this time of year. It’s about acknowledging differences in people’s winter traditions, whether they’re religious or secular. 

If it seems like a radical or unnecessary change to you, it’s worth remembering the UK is now a minority Christian country. And it’s natural for language to change with cultural shifts. 

Note the inclusive language used by Social Enterprise UK for their “Festive Season” guide.

 

Acknowledge current world events

There’s no ignoring the unhappy backdrop of global events to this festive season. These are deeply anxious times, especially for those who have a personal connection to these conflicts.

We’re also still up against the cost-of-living crisis, which hits harder at the most expensive time of the year. There’s a lot that might be weighing on your team’s minds. 

It’s important not to use festive celebrations as a way to “forget about” the challenges we’re facing. Instead, reassure people that it’s okay not to be feeling the usual festive cheer this year and that they can safely share their concerns with you. 

The response to M&S’s Christmas ad outtake highlights the need for extra sensitivity when it comes to all your messaging this festive season. 

 

No forced Christmas fun

With the above in mind, and plenty of other reasons people may not feel up for Christmas activities, encourage flexibility in participation. Respect boundaries and don’t tolerate teasing torwards those who are opting out. 

Introducing alternatives to typical Christmas parties is a good way to create a more inclusive atmosphere. Perhaps you have a virtual get-together, a more flexible option than in-person shindigs. Other ideas include a team volunteering day, getting everyone together outside of a party setting, or a festive potluck lunch, where people bring a favourite dish and share a meal in a relaxed way.  

The best starting point is to ask the team: what do you want to see the company do over the winter period?

Last Christmas, Philips worked with Social Supermarket and charity The Lighthouse to hand out food hampers at a Christmas party for Ukrainian refugees.

 

Meaningful acts of kindness

One thing people will be keen to see is your company sticking to its values and making a positive impact where possible. Christmas is always a time for giving and giving back, especially during these challenging times. So weave this into your festive traditions. 

It’s another reason why team volunteering days might be a hit with your team, as well as donations or social enterprise gifts made responsibly and supporting good causes. (Hint: check out our ethical Christmas hamper range, including plenty of alcohol-free and dietary variations.) 

Middle Eastern culture platform and festival Sole DXB promises to step up and show up, inspired by its community’s “energy, compassion and kindness.” 

 

Sharing winter traditions and celebrations

Broadening your winter festivities beyond Christmas is an excellent way to celebrate the cultural diversity of your team. Encourage teammates to share winter traditions they take part in or other rituals they find uplifting at this time of year, then plan activities around these. 

Maybe you’ll kick off with Diwali in November, mark Hanukkah in December and see in the Chinese New Year in February. 

There’s a great example of this approach boosting employee wellbeing in our blog post on DEI and mental health, where the Yorkshire Building Society organised a traditional Iftaar for Ramadan.

 

Prioritise mental wellbeing and moments of self-care 

This is one of the most stressful times of the year for many, thanks to the financial burden, pressures of entertaining and jam-packed schedules. It can exacerbate feelings of loneliness for others, who may not have the family or social circle to spend the holidays with. 

So, what can you do to support your team’s wellbeing? Reminding them to take advantage of your flexible working policy (and expanding its parameters, if needed) is a simple one. Taking care not to turn the office into an anxiety-inducing sensory nightmare with disrupted routines, rowdy antics and a deluge of flashing lights is another. 

A thoughtful wellbeing gift can also serve as a reminder to find time for self-care over the festive period, as well as a nice token of appreciation and gratitude.

 

If you want to include considerate gifts that give back to a range of causes in your Christmas 2023 plans, get in touch on [email protected].