14 ways to help your remote workers get into the festive spirit

Make sure your remote workers aren’t left off the nice list this Christmas!

With gift-giving tricky, enjoying in-person team-building activities a ho-ho-no-no, and Christmas parties being held in such far-flung places they might as well as be in the North Pole, it can be hard for remote workers to hide their inner Grinch when it comes to celebrating the festive season with the rest of the team.  
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 14 ways you can help your remote workers get into the festive spirit this holiday season!

From games to baking to exciting gifting solutions, we’ll ensure their incoming call jingles aren’t the only bells they’re excited to hear this Christmas.

Plus, if you’re looking for unique Christmas corporate gifting ideas, like cosy Christmas favourites and delightful holiday surprises, we’ve got everything you need to make the season bright for your remote workforce. Check out our selection of festive promotional merchandise goodies, perfect for thanking your staff this festive season now.

Why remote team celebrations are important

When your team is split between the office and working remotely, developing (and maintaining) a positive team morale can be tough, especially at Christmas. From mental health struggles and feelings of loneliness to low moods, your remote teammates can especially struggle at this time of year. Don’t underestimate how much they’ll depend on the activities you organise for their mental wellbeing and job satisfaction as the days start to turn colder and darker.

1. They encourage team morale 
Remote workers are still a part of your team, even if they aren’t in the office! By including your remote workers in festive celebrations, you’ll help them feel a part of the wider team and your brand at large. From inside jokes to having their say in big decisions (like, whether Die Hard is a Christmas film or not), you’ll not only reduce their feelings of loneliness but will improve their team morale way into the new year. 

2. They improve mental wellbeing 
SAD, sometimes known as the ‘winter depression’, stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s a type of depression that affects sufferers during the autumn and winter and is characterised by feelings of decreased energy and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, physical aches and pains, a persistent low mood, and changes in appetite. It’s quite a common condition with about 3 people in every 100 suffering from it in the UK alone. SAD can affect any of your employees, but those who aren’t in daily contact with others are more likely to suffer, just like your remote workers.

By hosting festive activities for your remote colleagues, you’ll be able to foster and nurture those all-important team relationships that they may come to rely upon when their mental health is low.

Read more: Gifting got you stressed? We’ve got a solution you’re going to LOVE

3. They improve staff retention
Studies show that 79% of employees will leave a role if they feel underappreciated. By putting in that extra effort to include your remote workforce in your festive activities, you’re showing you appreciate all the hard work they’ve done over the last year. This will increase your employee retention stats and keep their talent from jumping ship and joining a competitor - phew!

4. They stop burnout
Burnout isn’t fun, and it’s a real problem amongst remote workers with 69% of employees experiencing burnout whilst working from home. Help stop this from happening by giving your remote employees some seasonal activities to look forward to.

5. They encourage team collaboration
Currently, only 50% of remote workers feel they have a thriving relationship with members of their immediate team, and 43% of managers say relationship building is the greatest challenge for remote and hybrid workers. By hosting teambuilding activities that focus on collaboration in the run-up to the holidays, you’re encouraging your remote team members to foster meaningful relationships with employees they wouldn’t necessarily speak to day-to-day.

Read more: 8 ways to engage remote workers

14 ideas to get your remote workers into the festive spirit

It’s time to embrace the holiday spirit, strengthen connections, and make the season special – no matter where your team are based!

1. Organise a virtual Christmas coffee morning
Get those Christmas coffee flavours brewing with a virtual Christmas-themed coffee morning. Send them out a coffee, tea or hot chocolate delivery prior to the event, and let them settle down and enjoy 15 minutes of bonding time with their team.

2. Have managers send out personal Christmas cards
It’s always nice to receive something personal, especially from someone who appreciates all your hard work. A handwritten Christmas card from a line manager will help your remote employee feel valued on a more personal level.

Read more: 10 last-minute branded Christmas gift ideas your clients will love

3. Schedule a day for learning and development 
What says you appreciate your staff more than giving them the time to spend on improving themselves career-wise? Dedicate a day out of their busy schedules on the run-up to the Christmas holidays for them to study, reflect, and set goals for themselves in the new year (using their favourite journal, of course!).

4. Participate in a remote Secret Santa
Secret Santa is the epitome of Christmas in the workplace. Use an online tool to randomly assign names and set a budget that’s affordable for everyone. It’s a great way to spread holiday cheer with participants by revealing their gifts together in a virtual meeting.

5. Deliver employee Christmas gifts
A poll showed that 94% of employees agreed that gifts make them feel more valued. If you’re looking to boost morale and overall wellbeing amongst your remote team, you can’t go wrong with posting some branded Christmas gifts to them.

Read more: What makes a good corporate Christmas gift?

6. Host some holiday-themed meetings 
Dress up as your favourite Christmas character (Rudolph), or encourage your team to decorate their home offices as Santa’s grotto to add a little holiday cheer to your otherwise usual weekday meetings.

7. Hold a Christmas photo competition 
Why not organise a Christmas-themed photo contest? You could include themes like ‘Best Pet Photo’ or ‘Best Decorated Tree’. Have team members share their entries in a dedicated chat, and let everyone vote for their favourites!

8. Make a shared festive Spotify playlist  
Create a shared holiday playlist where everyone can add their favourite festive songs. Spotify is perfect for this! Music is a quick way to insight some holiday cheer, and it’s also a great way for team members to learn a bit more about each other’s music tastes. Heavy metal Christmas, anyone?

9. Donate to their chosen charity
Many people feel joy from giving back during the holidays, so why not organise a team-wide donation or charity challenge? Whether it’s contributing to a local food bank, sponsoring a family, or donating to a cause that’s close to their hearts, this can help build a sense of purpose and community for your remote team members especially.

Read more: 15 eco-conscious festive branded gift ideas

10. Host a Christmas biscuit decorating competition 
Have your team decorate some biscuits while on video (add a timer for extra fun!) and chuckle at what deliciously wonderful creations you’re all bound to create.

11. Play charades!
Charades is an excellent game to play with your remote team! Keep a scoreboard and choose from a selection of Christmas-themed topics to keep things festive

12. Deliver a Christmas care package 
Surprise your remote team members with a holiday-themed care package. Include small, thoughtful gifts like festive snacks, holiday decorations, a cosy blanket, or even a personalised card. These small gestures can make a big difference in helping them feel appreciated and connected over the holidays.

13. Organise a virtual festive workshop 
Who said Santa’s elves couldn’t WFH? Offer Christmas-themed workshops to your team, like a wreath-making class, holiday card-making, or even a candle-making session to get them in the festive spirit! Each participant could receive a small kit ahead of time with all the materials they’ll need, making it easy for them to participate.

14. Arrange holiday-themed wellness events
Since the festive season can be stressful, consider offering wellness-focused events with a holiday twist, like mindfulness sessions, yoga, or guided Christmas meditations. It’s a jolly festive way for your team to unwind and de-stress before the holiday break!

Read more: Don’t panic! See these 7 seasonal gifting secrets for branding success

Spread the cheer far and wide

As the snowy season approaches, bringing festive cheer to your remote team doesn’t have to be a challenge. From virtual parties and creative activities to small thoughtful gestures, there are countless ways to make your team feel valued and connected during this special time of year.

Now, it’s your turn to spread the holiday magic! Thank your staff this festive season by checking out our selection of festive promotional merchandise goodies now for that perfect festive branded touch!