No one needs to develop a Scrooge-like attitude towards the festive season when Christmas is a golden opportunity to give staff a boost! In financially challenging times, the key is to think about what to do in advance. Besides, once the Christmas season has arrived, it’s fairly difficult to take time out to plan anything, so why not take a moment with us today, before the rush begins, to consider some meaningful ways to create a memorable office or remote Christmas for your business?
In the interests of prudence, one thing that can be done in advance of Christmas is planning simple gestures as they can often mean the most.
1. Plan to make sure that you have time to write a personalised, handwritten card to everyone.
Most staff would appreciate receiving a handwritten Christmas card from their manager, especially if the manager has taken the time to write a note of appreciation to each team member for their contribution over the year.
2. Give staff an afternoon off
It’s not always possible to give a cash bonus, as much as we would like to. Paying the salaries and the taxman can be enough of a headache sometimes! A great way to show empathy and appreciation for your staff is to give them the gift of time. The festive season can be so frantic that the gift of an extra afternoon off to do Christmas shopping or join children at a school event is worth its weight in gold.
3. Organise a Christmas competition.
If it’s a stretch to buy gifts for everyone, why not buy a really lovely gift that can be won by either an individual or a team. The winner or winning team could be chosen through random selection or by having to create or present something and a vote could be cast. A quiz night or a karaoke competition would work well!
If you are able to plan a budget for Christmas activities, here are some ideas of how it could be spent on boosting staff morale:
4. Plan to give staff a bonus
Who doesn’t appreciate a bit of extra cash over the festive period? Give the bonus in vouchers or cash (rather than as a bank transfer) so that it doesn’t get swallowed up in an overdraft! (It’s a good idea to put it through the books as well so as not to fall foul of the taxman!) Give it to your staff in person and wish them a Happy Christmas at the same time! There are presents to buy, seasonal food shops to be navigated as well as social outings – it can seem unending! Giving employees a Christmas bonus is a great way to show empathy and that makes people feel valued – you hear them!
5. Plan a Christmas party
No-one needs much instruction on how to have a party – it’s hardwired into most of us. A well-planned celebration, however, regardless of the size of the event, usually beats one that hasn’t been thought through. Whether it’s a modest lunchtime get-together in the office to an evening party with full Christmas dinner and all the trimmings, it’s the people that matter and most people will enjoy some aspect of getting together outside of work to celebrate.
6. Buy everyone a turkey!
Not everyone will want a turkey, so it might be a good idea to sound out the staff before you present them with one. A vegetarian or vegan alternative or a cut of meat for non-turkey lovers will serve just as well. This is a generous and thoughtful gift that will bring a smile to everyone’s faces!
7. Professional development gifts
A subscription to an online learning platform shows that you care about staff members’ continued development. Make sure that they get the right message by including a card making your intentions clear: you want to help them achieve their goals at work and in life.
Here are some simple and inexpensive but thoughtful gift items for staff – just to help you with your planning!
8. Christmas-themed “Thank You” boxes
A gift box that contains seasonal goodies feels festive and thoughtful and if it contains a selection of items there is bound to be something in there for everyone. Chocolates, hot chocolate, shortbread, a soft blanket or scented candles all make nice gifts.
9. Order in personalised notebooks
Personalised notebooks are an inexpensive way of giving your employees a sense of belonging. A notebook is always going to get used (probably at work too) and staff will be reminded regularly that you thought of them!
10. Keep staff hydrated all day long with a water bottle
As a nation we are certainly more health-conscious these days as well as being more environmentally aware. Re-usable steel water bottles are a great idea and good for the environment too! Plastic bottles not only harm the ecosystem but they also can be unsanitary. Steel water bottles, however, are durable, they prevent harmful carcinogens from leaching into drinking water and they offer your drink at the desired temperature.
11. Buy them all a lunchbox
A decent lunchbox is always useful and helps staff members to save money as well as staying healthy rather than going out for a sausage roll at lunchtime! Not that there is anything wrong with sausage rolls but eating a nutritious lunch can help with the afternoon slump.
12. Personalised Coffee Mugs
A bit of forward planning in the crockery department can result in not only a thoughtful gift for staff but signal an end to any mug-related friction. Some people are a lot more territorial about their mugs than others and upset can be caused when the wrong mug gets used by an outsider or a newbie! Personalised coffee mugs are the answer to Mug Wars and a nice touch at Christmas. It is also a sure-fire way to know who didn’t wash up!!
Although there are opportunities throughout the year to let staff know how much you appreciate their efforts, Christmas is the ideal time to remind staff that they mean a lot and that without them, the company would not exist!
Our staff at Core3 are incredible – known as the new breed of Bristol finance recruitment consultants! Without them we would not have been able to create our own brand of finance recruitment. Bristol is a better place for being the place they have chosen to work!
If you have been Googling “Finance Recruitment Bristol” and have roles that need to be filled, either permanent or interim, our team would love to hear from you.
You’ll be making a contribution to your community too as we pledge 3% of our sales to people, planet, and progress, before we even make a penny.
