WFH this year and missing celebrating the holidays with your team? While you may not be able to dance the night away at your company’s annual bash (or have one too many cups of spiked punch), you can still bring the team together to join in the festivities and create new traditions.

Here are seven fun ways to share in the holiday spirit with your team, even if you’re miles apart.

  1. Virtual holiday gift exchange 

Pick a budget and make sure your team knows that this is an optional event (hey, we’re still in pandemic times and holiday obligations do add up!). Use a gift exchange website like Elfster or Draw Names to virtually draw names and let the fun begin! 

  1. Cheers to holiday happy hours 

Just because you and your team might not all be in the same place, doesn’t mean you can’t cheers to the holidays together! Put a date on the cal, create a playlist, and send over a virtual happy hour kit to everyone’s home. A fun gift in the mail that you can all share together. Just make sure you check everyone’s preferences for either a cocktail or a mocktail. Cheers to surviving WFH!

  1. Introducing December Holiday Fridays!

Sometimes celebrating your team means giving them time to celebrate themselves. The holidays can be stressful for everyone – from closing out the year at work, to juggling holiday events and family vacations. The happiest time of the year can quickly devolve into a dizzying juggling act, keeping all the sugar plums dancing and your sanity intact. Implementing half-day “December Holiday Fridays” – just like “Summer Fridays” – is an impactful way to let your employees know how much they’re appreciated and help to melt away their holiday stress!

  1. Let the games begin! The Classic Ugly Sweater Contest

Ah yes, the ugly sweater contest. A classic for a reason. Simple, silly, and always delivers a night of fun and fashion (yes, “fashion” may be a stretch). Get creative with your team and host an Ugly Sweater Contest for a bit of friendly competition that will be sure to bring your team together this season.

  1. Family craft night 

A fun part of the holiday season is getting to know your work fam’s real family. Hosting a virtual family craft night is a great way to celebrate all together. Send craft kits to everyone’s home and gather ‘round the screen for a night of creativity with the people you love most.

  1. Host a virtual party – Just like the ones IRL

Want to host a holiday party just like old times, but in a virtual space? The future is here and Kumo Space has got you covered! The host of the party can design multiple rooms (even down to decorating with a choose-your-own-virtual-furniture function). Guests can move about rooms and have the ability for one-on-one conversations, just like they would IRL!

  1. Use Surprise for Teams to bring the holiday cheer! 

‘Tis the season for Surprises (and shameless plugs). What better way to wow your team than with the gift of Surprise.com! Help each person get closer to achieving their personal and professional goals with daily Ai-powered missions, just in time for their New Year’s resolutions! Did we mention the ability to win awesome Surprises daily? Get started now! 

Allie Demopoulos is a Content Copywriter at Surprise.com. A writer and producer, she believes that humor is the greatest tool and that the best of anything–comedy, music, stories–are experienced in basements. When she’s not creating, you can find her in the electric streets of Manhattan, a place she feels lucky to call home.