How to Spread Christmas Cheer in the Workplace
We spend eight hours a day at work every day. For some, it's their home away from home because they have awesome bosses and coworkers. For others, not so much. Regardless of how you feel about your workplace, spreading Christmas cheer during the holiday season is always a must. Sometimes it takes just one person to get the ball rolling and to boost morale during one of the most stressful times of the year. Here are some ideas to spread holiday cheer around the office this season.
Creating a Festive Atmosphere: Decorating the Office
One way to spread Christmas cheer is to decorate your workspace. Put some Christmas garland around your monitor, string some lights and tape them up on the edge of your desk, and add stockings for everyone in your department. Get a decorative candy dish, fill it with candy, and set it out. This will help everyone get into a festive mood.
If you don’t have an office job, find other ways to decorate your workspace. If you don’t have a workspace, for example, you work in retail as a cashier, put on a Santa hat and some jewelry that lights up to help your coworkers and customers get in a festive mood.
If you work from home, find some ways to decorate your space, even if it’s just the wall or window behind you.
Organizing Holiday Events: From Parties to Potlucks
Food brings everyone together, and it’s still early enough to plan a holiday potluck. Talk to your boss about the best day to schedule it, then make a sign-up sheet and hang it where everyone will see it.
If your boss or company is providing the main dish via catering, then only add categories of drinks, desserts, and snacks. If they aren’t providing a main dish, consider adding categories like sandwiches, soup, or slow cooker dishes. These categories are easy to make and transport. This way, there is a lot of variety, and people can choose what they want to bring. You can even have a category of paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, and plastic tablecloths, too. These things will make cleaning up a snap.
Encouraging Acts of Kindness: Small Gestures, Big Impact
People always appreciate random acts of kindness, but especially during the busy holiday season. Everyone’s stress is high, so helping each other is important. Here are some ideas for ways to brighten your coworkers and maybe even your boss’s day.
-If you work in an office and notice the printer is almost out of ink or toner, change it.
-Bring your coworker a gourmet coffee, tea, or their favorite soda.
-If you’re caught up on your work, see if anyone else needs help.
-Buy your coworker lunch.
-Replenish supplies in the break room. (snacks, cups, coffee, napkins, etc.)
-Leave a note of appreciation to your boss.
-Ask your boss if they need help with anything.
-If your coworker feels overwhelmed, step in and offer help.
-If you need certain supplies in your work area, make sure you stock them well for the person who comes in after you.
-Leave notes of encouragement and appreciation for your coworkers.
-Help the new hire learn the ropes. Starting a new job during the holiday season can be extra stressful, especially in retail.
-Make some treats and bring them in for your team.
Incorporating Holiday Traditions: Diverse Celebrations for All
We live in a culture full of all kinds of ethnicities, which is awesome, but not everyone celebrates Christmas. Discuss with your boss the possibility of having a week where you observe different religious holidays to accommodate everyone in your workplace.
For example, on Monday, you could celebrate Hanukkah, Tuesday: Kwanzaa, Wednesday: Diwali, and so on. Talk to everyone in these ethnic groups about how to make it meaningful for them. They will appreciate your consideration of their customs and beliefs.
Charity Drives and Volunteering: Giving Back Together
Most companies engage in some form of charity or volunteer work at least once or twice a year. If your company has no plans for December, organize a donation drive for your local food pantry, animal shelter, or a toy drive to drop off at the nearest Toys for Tots location. This is a fun and easy way for you, your boss, and coworkers to give back this holiday season.
Holiday Greetings and Cards: Spreading Warmth with Words
Writing greeting cards is a lost art and tradition, but it is a great way to show people you care that can last a lifetime. Pick out some greeting cards and write one for your boss and each of your closest coworkers if you work for a large company. If your workplace is a smaller outfit, write a card for everyone you work with.
Why are thoughtful greetings important?
Don't see sending holiday greetings as a holiday chore. They are heartfelt expressions of connection. In a world where digital communication is dominant, greeting cards with heartfelt messages evoke emotions, and handwritten messages show you care, which makes the recipient feel valued and appreciated. Greeting cards have many purposes, such as;
Building connections: Cards serve as a bridge to connect people. Writing a heartfelt message to a coworker will not only make them feel seen and appreciated—it may be the start of a new friendship.
Celebrating diversity: Pick up some greeting cards for your coworkers that celebrate in different ways, like Hanukkah. They will appreciate your honoring how they celebrate.
Spreading kindness: You never know, giving a card to a coworker may change everything for them if they are more introverted, keep to themselves, or if a clique mentality causes others to leave them out.
Most people struggle with what to say, so here are some things to keep in mind;
Reflect on the recipient: A card for a coworker you are close with will differ vastly from a card for your boss. Tailor the message to your relationship to make it feel more personalized and genuine.
Use positive language: Always make sure you write something positive and uplifting, even if you don’t like the person or don’t know what to say.
Add personal touches: Reflect on a significant memory you had with a coworker, or something funny that happened this year, or a tough situation you got through together.
Include a heartfelt closing: Make sure you end each card on a positive note. For example, wishing you the best for the new year.
Maintaining Positivity: Staying Cheerful Amidst Workplace Stress
With the holidays comes extra workplace stress. There are many factors that contribute to this, including a high workload, lack of control, poor relationships, and job insecurity. Let’s look at each of these.
High workload: Having an excessive amount of tasks to fulfill because of being short-staffed and the holiday rush can lead to anxiety and burnout.
Lack of control: Feeling powerless over your workload or environment can send stress through the roof.
Poor relationships: Having a toxic boss or coworkers, including work dynamics and conflict, exacerbates stress.
Job insecurity: Worries about job stability can cause a chronic, heightened state of stress.
How to Stay Cheerful Amidst Workplace Holiday Stress
Practice Gratitude: Take a few minutes to think about what you’re thankful for at work. This could include helpful coworkers, a decent boss, or certain perks that your company offers, such as mental health support, discounts, or unlimited PTO.
Engage in Mindfulness and Meditation: Take some time each day to find a quiet space and meditate on the word of God. Sit quietly and read your Bible. Listen to a Christian meditation. Turn on some quiet worship music and honor God.
Set Realistic Goals: Having extra tasks can make work overwhelming. Take some time each morning to think about what you need to get done and visualize each step you have to take to get you there. If necessary, write down your game plan for the day to refer to, and then go for it.
Cultivate Positive Work Relationships: It’s easy for everyone to sit around and complain about the job, a coworker, or a boss. Everyone has done this at some point, even though we know it isn’t right. Instead, seek those who genuinely enjoy their work and have a positive attitude. This will help you from falling into the grumble group, and you will forge positive relationships that will encourage you throughout your day and the week.
Maintain a Health Work-Life Balance: Take an hour every day to do something you enjoy. It could be reading, taking a long bubble bath, or escaping into a favorite TV show or movie.
Exercise: Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are a natural painkiller and mood elevator. This will help you manage your stress better.
Festive Treats: Baking and Sharing Holiday Goodies
Food brings us together, and people love homemade treats. Take a weekend and bake some delicious treats to share with your coworkers. Don’t forget to consider food allergies and certain medical conditions. Consider omitting nuts from any of your baked goods to prevent accidental cross-contamination, or bake something sugar-free for your diabetic coworker. If you’re unsure what to make, ask them for suggestions. Then you will ensure there are no mistakes, and everyone can enjoy it.
Holiday-Themed Dress Days: Encouraging Festive Attire
Plan a week with holiday-themed dress days. People love dressing up for their favorite holidays. Here are some ideas:
Monday: Ugly sweater day
Tuesday: Holiday hairstyle day (festive headbands, barrettes, colored hair, etc.)
Wednesday: Holiday sock day
Thursday: Santa Hat Day
Friday: Holiday Jewelry Day
There are all kinds of ways to spread holiday cheer in the workplace. Start thinking about what you want to do to make your workplace holly and jolly this season.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/SolStock
Originally published November 26, 2025.
