Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude and foster a sense of community among coworkers.
Celebrating Thanksgiving at work will improve workplace morale and strengthen relationships, making the holiday of thanks a truly enriching experience for everyone.
Whether you want to show your appreciation for your employees or do something special for your coworkers, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving at work.
You don’t need elaborate plans to celebrate; sometimes the simplest ideas leave the most lasting impressions. From hosting a potluck lunch to sharing heartfelt thank you notes, these actions can bring everyone together and encourage employees to appreciate one another.
Set Up A Wall Of Thanks
Set up a Wall of Thanks in your workspace so that everyone can express gratitude towards coworkers. It’s a great thing to do because it’s easy to set up, everyone can decide to participate or not, it’s quick to do, and it’s meaningful.
Choose a designated area in your office for the wall. Use bulletin boards, flipchart paper, or even an empty wall space. Make it visible and accessible to everyone.
Provide sticky notes or small cards for your team to write messages. Encourage them to share what they are thankful for, whether it’s help on a project or the support of a coworker.
Host A Recipe Swap
Invite your colleagues or employees to share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes and maybe organize a gathering where everyone can exchange their recipes.
Consider using a shared document or a bulletin board for recipe submissions. You can also provide a template for the recipe cards.
Give Back To The Community
Thanksgiving is a perfect time to focus on giving back to the community.
Consider organizing a Volunteer Day for your team. You can partner with local nonprofits or shelters to find opportunities. Here are some impactful activities:
- Canned Food Drive: Collect non-perishable items for local food banks.
- Soup Kitchen Service: Volunteer at a nearby soup kitchen to help serve meals.
- Charity Fundraiser: Organize an event to raise funds for community projects.
Decorate The Office
Make your workspace a festive place using a variety of fall and Thanksgiving-themed decorations to get into the holiday spirit.
You can encourage everyone to contribute by bringing in decorations from home, and you can turn the thing into an event where you guys decorate together.
You could also organize a fun office craft activity. Gather supplies and tutorials and set aside some time for colleagues to get creative.
Add decor pieces made from flowers, pumpkins, or seasonal foliage on desks and common areas.
Don’t forget to use autumn-themed banners and tablecloths in break areas.
Consider creating thankfulness jars where everyone can write what they’re thankful for.
Organize A Potluck Lunch
Organize a potluck lunch to celebrate Thanksgiving at work and bring everyone together.
Encourage each colleague to bring a dish, focusing on variety. Here’s a quick list of popular potluck options:
- Main Dishes: Turkey, ham, or roasted vegetables
- Side Dishes: Mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole
- Desserts: Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or cookies
To organize the event, consider creating a sign-up sheet to have a balanced spread without duplicate dishes.
On the day of the potluck, make sure to have enough tables, chairs, and utensils available. Create a cozy space where everyone can gather and enjoy the meal together.
Gift Homemade Treats To Your Coworkers
Homemade treats are a thoughtful way to share some Thanksgiving spirit at work. They show that you care and can lighten the mood. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Pumpkin Muffins: Moist and flavorful, these are perfect for sharing.
- Apple Cinnamon Jam: This jam can be made with fresh apples and packaged nicely in small jars.
- Autumn Cookies: Bake a batch of cookies shaped like leaves or turkeys to brighten coworkers’ days.
Consider using themed packaging like colorful boxes, gift tags, or decorative bags. A personal note can make your gift even more special.
If you have time, organizing a small treat exchange can also be a good idea with everyone bringing their homemade creations.
Remember to check for any food allergies or dietary restrictions among your coworkers to ensure everyone can enjoy your treats.
Send Thank You Cards To Each Other
Sending thank you cards is a simple yet impactful way to express appreciation in the workplace.
Consider organizing a card exchange where team members draw names. Each person writes a heartfelt message to their chosen colleague, highlighting specific things they appreciate about them.
You can also set up a designated card station with supplies. Include a variety of cards, pens, and decorations. Encourage everyone to take a moment to write a message whenever they feel inspired.
Here are some ideas for what to include in your notes:
- Acknowledge a specific contribution: Mention a project or task where their effort stood out.
- Express gratitude for support: Highlight how their help made a difference.
- Encourage teamwork: Reinforce the importance of collaboration and shared success.
Organize A Pie Swap
Bring your colleagues together with a pie swap where everyone bakes their favorite pies and shares them with the team.
Maybe have a spreadsheet so everyone can know what others are bringing to avoid too many of the same pie.
On the day of the swap, set up a nice table and make sure you have enough plates, forks, and napkins.
You can even include a voting system to award prizes for categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Classic.”
Turkey Decorating Contest
Set up a craft station with supplies like paper, markers, stickers, and feathers. Each participant can decorate a turkey cutout to showcase their artistic skills.
To make it exciting, establish categories for judging. Consider awards like:
- Most Creative
- Funniest Design
- Best Team Effort
Display the turkey creations in a common area for everyone to enjoy. You can even set a date for a mini awards ceremony where winners are announced and get a small prize.
Organize A Game Tournament
Organizing a game tournament is a fun way to spend time together as a team. And, there are so many options that you can easily plan games that everyone will enjoy.
You can consider setting up classic Thanksgiving games like Thanksgiving trivia or Thanksgiving Bingo with bingo cards featuring traditional Thanksgiving items and calling them out during breaks.
If your team is working remotely, you can easily play these games online as well.
You can also plan a fun day out at a park and organize some outdoor games.
Don’t forget to have prizes for the winners!
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