Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and togetherness, making it the perfect occasion to remind your team how much they are valued. For team leaders and HR managers, organizing Thanksgiving team-building activities is an excellent way to enhance employee engagement and boost morale.
Whether your team works remotely or in the office, incorporating festive activities can foster stronger relationships and create a positive work environment. Especially when life gets so busy at this time of year!
Engaged employees are happier, more productive, and more likely to stay with a company long-term. Building a culture of appreciation helps employees feel valued, leading to improved job satisfaction and performance. Thanksgiving provides a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for your team's hard work throughout the year.
Team-building activities are not just about having fun. They also strengthen bonds, improve communication, and encourage collaboration among team members. By participating in Thanksgiving activities, employees can connect on a personal level, leading to a more cohesive, motivated team.
From virtual feasts to gratitude walls, these creative ideas are designed to make your team feel appreciated while celebrating the holiday spirit.
Try celebrating with these Thanksgiving team-building activities!
1. Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
Bringing food into the workplace is always a hit, and Thanksgiving is the ideal time for a potluck lunch. Encourage team members to bring in their favorite Thanksgiving dishes to share with colleagues. This creates a sense of community and allows employees to share a part of their culture and traditions.
Set up a sign-up sheet to avoid duplicate dishes and ensure a variety of options. Consider organizing a potluck lunch on-site if your team is in the office, or create a virtual potluck where everyone shares recipes and photos of their dishes during a video call.
Potlucks also provide an opportunity for team members to relax and socialize outside of their usual work environment. This informal setting encourages open communication and helps to build stronger relationships.
2. Virtual Table Centerpiece Contest
For remote teams, a virtual table centerpiece contest is a fun and creative way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Employees can create their centerpieces at home and share photos of their creations via an online platform or video call.
You can add a competitive element by having team members vote for their favorite centerpiece. Categories like "Most Creative" or "Funniest Centerpiece" add excitement and encourage participation.
Creating table centerpieces allows employees to express their creativity while engaging in a lighthearted, enjoyable activity. It also provides a great opportunity for team members to showcase their artistic talents.
3. Gratitude Wall
Creating a gratitude wall is a meaningful way to encourage employees to express appreciation for one another. In an office setting, set up a bulletin board where employees can post notes of gratitude and thanks to their colleagues.
For remote teams, you can create a digital gratitude wall using desktop alerts, screensavers, or internal newsletters. Encourage team members to share messages of appreciation and recognition with the entire team.
A gratitude wall not only boosts morale but also fosters a culture of positivity and kindness. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to reciprocate and pass on gratitude to others.
Kindness to-do lists are another great way to encourage employees to perform acts of kindness towards each other. Launch it with a Survey inviting team members to give suggestions, then use these to create a list of tasks for employees to complete.
It could be as simple as asking someone about their day, offering TV or movie suggestions, or just telling someone about a way they’ve made you smile. Set a timeframe for employees to complete the tasks and inspire them to check every item off their list by offering a kindness-infused reward for the first person to finish all their acts.
4. Employee Spotlights
Highlighting individual employees through spotlights is a powerful way to show appreciation during Thanksgiving. This practice not only recognizes outstanding contributions but also motivates the entire team to strive for excellence.
Employee spotlights can be conducted in team meetings, through company newsletters, or via internal communication platforms. Each spotlight can feature the employee’s achievements, personal anecdotes, and expressions of gratitude from colleagues and leaders.
By shining a light on individual successes, companies reinforce a culture of recognition and appreciation, demonstrating that each team member’s hard work and dedication are valued. Employee spotlights during Thanksgiving serve as a heartfelt "thank you" that can enhance job satisfaction and reinforce a sense of belonging within the organization.
5. Thanksgiving Trivia Challenge
Organize a Thanksgiving-themed trivia challenge to test your team's knowledge of the holiday. Create questions related to Thanksgiving history, traditions, and fun facts. Team members can compete individually or in groups to answer the questions.
For remote teams, host the trivia challenge via a video conferencing platform or send out an employee quiz for them to take when they have time. Use interactive tools to make the experience engaging and exciting.
Trivia challenges are a great way to stimulate friendly competition and encourage team bonding. They also provide an opportunity for employees to learn new and interesting facts about Thanksgiving around the world.
For example, in Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October, marking the close of the harvest season. The Canadian holiday is rooted in European harvest festivals and acknowledges a successful harvest with family gatherings and feasting.
In Japan, Kinrō Kansha no Hi, which translates to Labor Thanksgiving Day, occurs annually on November 23. This holiday is not centered on the harvest but is a day to express gratitude for workers and emphasize the importance of labor rights and environmental quality. Celebrations often include community events and ceremonies.
Around the world, these Thanksgiving celebrations, despite differing in customs and timing, share a common theme of gratitude, bringing people together to reflect on the abundance of nature and human efforts.
6. Volunteer for a Good Cause
Thanksgiving is a time for giving back, and volunteering as a team is a rewarding way to make a positive impact. Organize a volunteer day where employees can contribute to local charities and organizations.
If in-person volunteering is not feasible, consider virtual volunteering/charity opportunities such as donating to people in need or organizing a donation drive.
Volunteering together strengthens team spirit, reinforces a sense of purpose, and showcases the company's core values. It also allows employees to connect with the community and make a difference during the holiday season.
7. Thanksgiving Recipe Exchange
Encourage team members to share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes in a recipe exchange. Create a shared document or communication channel where employees can post their recipes and photos.
This activity allows team members to showcase their culinary skills and provides inspiration for holiday cooking. It also encourages cross-team interaction and sharing of personal traditions.
A recipe exchange is a simple yet effective way to celebrate Thanksgiving and bring everyone together over the joy of food.
8. Virtual Thanksgiving Feast
For remote teams, hosting a virtual Thanksgiving feast allows everyone to enjoy the holiday together, regardless of location. Set a date and time for the feast and encourage team members to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home.
During the virtual feast, team members can share their dishes, enjoy each other's company, and engage in lighthearted conversations. Consider incorporating games or activities to keep the atmosphere lively and festive.
A virtual feast helps remote employees feel connected and valued while celebrating the spirit of Thanksgiving.
9. Office Decorating Contest
Host an office decorating contest to transform the workplace into a festive Thanksgiving wonderland. Encourage employees to decorate their workspaces with Thanksgiving-themed decor.
Set up categories for the contest, such as "Most Creative Workspace" or "Best Use of Fall Colors." Team members can vote for their favorite decorations, and prizes can be awarded to the winners.
Decorating the office creates a positive and inviting environment, boosting morale and setting the tone for a joyful holiday season.
10. Thanksgiving Story Time
Organize a Thanksgiving story-sharing session where team members can share personal stories or memories related to the holiday. You could also set up the session so everyone shares a short story about a time they were thankful for a colleague.
This activity allows employees to connect on a deeper level and learn more about each other's backgrounds and experiences.
For remote teams, host the story-sharing session via a video call to ensure everyone can participate. Encourage team members to listen actively and ask questions to foster meaningful conversations.
Story sharing fosters empathy and understanding among team members, leading to stronger relationships and a more inclusive work environment.
Thanksgiving team-building activities offer a valuable opportunity for team leaders and HR professionals to engage employees and foster a culture of appreciation. By incorporating these creative and festive activities, you can strengthen team bonds, boost morale, and create lasting memories.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in the workplace encourages positivity and gratitude, setting the stage for a successful end to the year. Remember to tailor activities to your team's needs and preferences, ensuring everyone feels included and valued.
Having employee engagement activities throughout the year is crucial to maintaining continuous interest and motivation among employees, fostering a consistent culture of connection and inclusivity.
