Employee Recognition During the Holidays: Why It Matters and How to Facilitate It

Tell us if this sounds familiar…

You’ve worked hard to finish an important project before the end of year break. You turn it in, only to receive a quick, “Thanks for sending” email. What? You spent weeks on this initiative. Sure, your boss is busy, what with the holidays and all, but a bit of enthusiasm would have been nice.

Here’s the truth: as the year winds down, employee recognition becomes more important. Your team probably has a lot going on in their personal lives. A kind word at work can do wonders for employee morale, motivation, and retention. In fact, it might be vital to your company’s success.

In this article, we dig deep into why you should take time to recognize and appreciate your employees this holiday season. Then we explore 10 creative ways to do just that. Finally, we end with tips to measure your employee recognition efforts. Let’s get started!

The Importance of Recognizing Employees During the Holidays

The holiday season is the perfect time to show appreciation to your employees. Recognizing their hard work will not only lift their spirits but also lead to better business outcomes.

(But keep in mind: the benefits of appreciation can be felt throughout the year, not just around the holidays. For example, you could celebrate your team on Employee Appreciation Day, during National Mentoring Month, or on any of the other employee recognition holidays. Your team will love it!)

Employee Motivation

Before we really dive in, know that consistent recognition leads to better employee engagement. This is important because engaged employees tend to be more motivated, produce better results, and stick around for longer periods of time. We’ll talk about motivation first.

When employees feel valued, they work harder. Why wouldn’t they? They’re praised for their efforts, which makes them want to continue giving 100%.

Think of your employees like a rechargeable battery. Regular appreciation keeps their engagement and motivation levels fully charged, so they tackle every challenge with vigor. 

Team Performance

Regular employee recognition can level up team performance too.

It’s not hard to see why. When employees are recognized for their hard work, they try harder. Now multiply that out among the whole team. The additional effort will almost certainly lead to higher quality output.

But that’s not all. Recognition also creates a more supportive environment for employees, where everyone feels empowered to contribute. When this happens, collaboration improves. According to recent studies, collaborative teams are five times more likely to be high performing.

Job Satisfaction

A little appreciation can also build long-term loyalty.

Research shows that workers who are recognized and respected for their contributions are more satisfied with their jobs. This satisfaction often translates into higher retention metrics. Basically, employees want to work where they feel valued. (Shocking, right?) Give them this feeling and you’ll have less turnover.

Now, imagine the joyful holiday season you’ll have when your employees are super motivated, perform better, and want to stay on your team. All it takes is a bit of recognition!

10 Employee Recognition Ideas to Try This Holiday Season

Recognizing your team during the holiday season will revitalize morale and build a sense of belonging amongst your employees. And while a simple “thank you” can go a long way, the creative recognition ideas below will make a stronger impression.

1. Host a Holiday Party

Organizing a holiday party is an excellent way to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of your team. These festive get-togethers will help you demonstrate your appreciation in a tangible way. As such, they’re an ideal employee recognition tool that shouldn’t be ignored.

Still not convinced? Consider this: holiday parties can also be a ton of fun and allow staffers to bond outside the usual work environment. When employees connect with their colleagues as people, a stronger sense of community and better morale often follow. These are important elements of your company’s success.

Oh, and a party can add a bit of holiday spirit and get employees in the mood for this festive season too. This will make everyone in your office feel and perform better. Yes, please!

2. Give a Personal Gift

Gift-giving is a staple of the holiday season. Lean into this fact and give your employees personalized gifts to make sure they feel appreciated for their hard work throughout the year.

Whether it’s a favorite book, a hobby-related item, or a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant, these kinds of tangible gifts show that you’ve taken the time to understand each team member’s likes and interests. To learn more about what kinds of gifts your employees like, make it a part of creating an employee profile when onboarding.

This personal touch can significantly boost morale by reminding employees that they are more than just a part of the workforce—they are valued individuals within your organization. Trust us, this distinction really matters.

3. Support a Nonprofit

Volunteering during the holiday season is a meaningful way to recognize employees while highlighting the value of community service. In other words, it’s a win-win proposition.

By supporting a nonprofit or other community organization, your team can strengthen bonds and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time. And if you choose a nonprofit that your team already supports, you’ll show appreciation. After all, who wouldn’t want their company to contribute to their favorite cause?

The benefits don’t stop there, though. When your employees see the impact their efforts have outside of the office, they’ll gain a sense of pride and fulfillment that will likely impact their jobs.

4. Plan a Team Excursion

What do your employees like to do when they aren’t working? And can you incorporate these things into a team excursion to honor your staff members and make sure they “feel the love“?

For example, you could take your employees to a local escape room or theme park. These kinds of activities are interactive and will allow your team to get to know each other better and have a lot of fun. In the case of the escape room, they’ll have a chance to develop problem-solving skills as well. 

Of course, you don’t have to plan something so extravagant. A picnic at the park or a team walk (assuming you live in an area with decent weather during the holiday season) can be just as beneficial. You will still help your team make memories together, strengthen bonds, and support your local community.

Whatever you decide to do, getting out of the office is a refreshing way to acknowledge your staff and show them that you value their contributions to your company.

5. Write a Heartfelt Note

Sometimes, the simplest gestures have the most profound impact. A heartfelt note can convey your appreciation for a team member in a powerful way—especially if it’s handwritten.

Why? Handwritten notes are rare these days because they often take longer to write and send. As such, receiving one packs a bigger punch than an email or Slack message. If you really want your staff to know you care, write them a note with a pen And if you happen to send that note at the end of the year, make sure you write it on a holiday card to make it festive.

6. Book a Catered Lunch

Good food has a magical way of bringing people together.

With that in mind, book a catered lunch to recognize your team’s hard work and dedication. It’s a chance for employees to relax and enjoy a fantastic meal, free from the hustle and bustle (and last night’s leftovers) of the workday. This simple gesture can make employees feel appreciated and valued.

A shared meal also encourages team bonding and creates an opportunity for informal interactions, which strengthen team dynamics. So, catered lunches can serve multiple purposes for your company: recognizing employees and turning said employees into better teammates. Just make sure ask for any dietary restrictions in the group — nothing makes someone feel less appreciated than being left out of an activity because you didn’t bother to accommodate them!

7. Hold an Award Ceremony

Here’s a fun idea: host an award ceremony for your employees.

This is a fantastic way to publicly recognize team members and celebrate their achievements. It also allows for flexibility, which makes it a viable strategy for many different organizations.

Think about it, you could host a black tie affair with catered food; then hand out custom trophies to award winners. Or a more casual event where company leaders give gag awards like “Most Likely to Eat Their Coworker’s Lunch” alongside traditional awards like “Peak Performer”.

Award ceremonies have another benefit: they teach employees about company values. Your team will see a colleague win an award and think, “Huh, I guess that’s what my boss is looking for.” Because of this, award ceremonies can improve team performance in subsequent years.

We should also mention, award ceremonies fit into the “holiday recognition ideas” category because they’re often held at the end of the year, when employee achievements are best recognized. And both in-office and remote employees can participate, making it a great option for all organizations.

8. Hand Out Year-End Bonuses

Year-end bonuses are another way to express gratitude for your team’s dedication.

This tangible reward resonates deeply because it puts more money in people’s pockets—something everybody wants when attempting to buy holiday gifts for loved ones.

Bonuses also acknowledge the value of employees’ contributions and affirm that their efforts have made a significant impact. Such recognition not only sends a clear message that hard work is appreciated but also encourages loyalty. Plus, it adds a festive spirit to the office.

9. Offer More Paid Time Off

If year-end bonuses are off the table, what about more paid time off (PTO)?

Additional PTO is a thoughtful recognition idea that your employees will love. This is especially true when PTO is granted during the holiday season, as it allows employees to spend more time with their loved ones (or to do last-minute shopping). This is hard to do when said employees need to be in the office.

PTO is beneficial for remote workers too. Sure, they don’t have to be in the office every day, but they still have jobs to do. A chance to relax and recharge will be quite welcome for everyone.

So, give your team an extra day off. Call it an “International Day of Rest” or something else that resonates with your team — and make it an annual tradition! Doing so will earn your employees’ respect and loyalty.

10. Create an Employee Appreciation Wall

Finally, create a holiday employee appreciation wall to honor your staff.

This space—whether physical or virtual—allows company leaders and individual team members to recognize achievements in a public way. It also gives colleagues a chance to share kind words. Either way, it will help your company create a culture of gratitude, which will bring individuals together.

When it comes to digital employee appreciation walls, give Kudoboard a try. Kudoboard gives users the important tools they need to power their employee recognition programs—both throughout the year and during the holiday season. 

How to Measure Your Employee Recognition Efforts at the End of the Year

So, did your holiday-themed employee recognition initiative work? You won’t know until you measure the results. Here are three legitimate ways to assess your recognition program:

Talk to Your Team

One of the best ways to measure your employee recognition efforts is also the easiest. Just talk to your team. Revolutionary, we know. Ask them if they feel valued by your company. Their answers will tell you a lot.

You can go about this process in a variety of ways. You can invite individual employees into your office for one-on-one meetings. Or organize small group discussions where employee appreciation is the main topic. Or ask your team to fill out an anonymous survey. This last option is worth considering because it allows workers to truly critique their organization if needed.

Pro tip: don’t just ask your employees questions like, “Do you feel appreciated by your superiors?” and “Do you feel engaged in your role?” You can start there, but also ask your employees for ways the organization can improve. 

For example, you could ask, “How can we make you feel like a valued member of the team?”

Once you receive feedback, take it seriously. You don’t have to implement every suggestion your team gives you. But incorporating their wants, needs, and opinions into your appreciation initiative will improve your efforts in this area and make your staff feel seen and respected.

Track Specific Metrics

Employee opinions are important. But to truly understand the value of your recognition programs, you need to look at a few concrete metrics. We suggest tracking these four KPIs:

• Participation Rate: Have you implemented a standard employee recognition program? Then monitor the number of people who participate in it. For example, you could track the number of managers who send top down appreciation. Or the number of employees who engage in peer-to-peer recognition. Make sure your whole team takes part in your program.
• Employee Satisfaction Scores: Is your team happy? A quick employee satisfaction survey will give you the answer. The good news is, when your staff feels appreciated for their contributions they’ll give you higher scores, leading to many organizational benefits.
• Absenteeism and Turnover Rates: How often do your current employees take time off? Engaged employees want to be at work, so they show up more consistently. If your recognition program is successful, your absenteeism and turnover rate will likely go down.
• Employee Productivity Levels: Lastly, track employee productivity. Does your team get more done than it used to? This is a sign that your employees are engaged in their work—a direct benefit of a solid recognition program. If you want to take things a step further, measure employee performance too. Team members who get more done and achieve higher levels of success for your company are the ultimate goal!

By analyzing the four metrics above, and any others you deem necessary, you’ll get a clearer picture of the effectiveness of your recognition strategy and how to improve it.

Look “Behind the Scenes”

Last but not least, take a look at the intangibles.

Does it feel like your team is happier? Has morale and enthusiasm gone up recently? Do your employees collaborate more, produce more, and/or achieve more? Vibes can reveal a lot.

Looking behind the scenes, AKA the things you can’t really measure but still impact business success, will help you evaluate your recognition efforts. So, don’t be afraid to “read the room” from time to time. Your intuition isn’t infallible, but it can offer a helpful glimpse into the health of your team. Ignore it and you might miss out on a few key insights.

Recognize Your Team the Right Way With Kudoboard

Meaningful recognition during the holiday season will increase employee motivation, team performance, and job satisfaction. Fortunately, recognizing your team is pretty straightforward. You just have to implement one or two (or three or four!) of the ideas we shared in this article.

If you really want to elevate your employee recognition game, use Kudoboard. For the holiday season, you can create gratitude boards and winter tradition boards. Then create peer-to-peer shout out boards to keep the good vibes rolling into the new year.

This will help you build a more connected workforce who care about each other and the success of your company.