Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time for everyone to feel thankful for all their blessings. Here are some ideas to help inspire you when planning Thanksgiving celebrations at the office. It doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive; even simple gestures show your gratitude to your employees.
Give thanks and praise!
Express your heartfelt gratitude to your employees and encourage them to show their appreciation for one another. Hopefully, this creates a warm and fuzzy atmosphere in the office.
Create a wall of thankfulness in a common area.
Dedicate a portion of your office walls to honor one another by writing notes of thankfulness on sticky notes. It is a personal way to express thanks and make the team members feel appreciated for all their dedication.
Raise funds for a joint charity or volunteer as a group.
Thanksgiving activities at the office do not need to be boring! Finding a common charity or volunteering somewhere as a group can be a creative way to bond with team members. Raise money as a group and have the business match the funds! The funds collected can be donated locally to make your Thanksgiving celebrations more meaningful.
Make it fun with some Thanksgiving contest ideas.
Contests are always a solid way to create friendly competition among employees. A recipe contest is always popular, especially if you have some culinary aficionados. Our office favorite is a company potluck where each employee gets to show off some of their cooking skills. It’s a great way to surprise each other with talents unknown by the group. Hand out prizes like gift cards, turkey-shaped giveaways, kitchen sets, aprons, and more for best dishes and best effort.
Thanksgiving-related games are always fun!
Thanksgiving-themed games will bring some light to the holiday spirit. Set up a bowling alley for an exciting pumpkin bowling session. Use pumpkins and set up water bottles as pins; just make sure they are not soft pumpkins to avoid messes. Bingo is another fan favorite. Print cards for all participants and play the traditional line. A scavenger hunt involving items specific to Thanksgiving can be tons of fun. No matter your choice, the goal is to let everyone relax and have fun as a team.
Volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen is a feeling second to none.
Give back to the community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen and helping them pack meals. This is part of an effort to help those desperately in need. Cleaning trash, delivering blankets and coats to shelters, or donating toys to less privileged kids are some other activities that can be considered. Our team still talks about how amazing our Toy Drive for needy kids was and how it made them so happy!
Sponsor an event that is worthy of your company’s values.
Businesses can also sponsor an event to give back to the community. Some ideas could be hosting a dinner, organizing a toy or food drive, or arranging a silent auction. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, the proceeds can be donated to a nonprofit organization.
