| With so much going on in employees’ personal lives | | | | having the party catered, ask employees to bake their |
| during the holiday season, it can be tough keeping | | | | favorite holiday dishes and sweets. In lieu of expensive |
| employees engaged and motivated at work. Cutting | | | | employee awards, have managers create homemade |
| back on end of the year holiday festivities could be | | | | and humorous awards for outstanding members of |
| sending the wrong message to employees and could | | | | their team. |
| hurt employees’ morale and motivation. | | | | Organize a gift exchange. Sometimes called a |
| Motivating employees doesn’t have to involve | | | | “Secret Santa,” a voluntary gift exchange is a |
| lavish and expensive gifts, even the smallest sign of | | | | low-cost way for employees to show their |
| recognition can let an employee know they’re | | | | appreciation for each other. Divide employees by |
| valued. With a little creativity and cooperation your | | | | department or team and have them secretly |
| company can still recognize employees during the | | | | exchange gifts with each other. Remember to |
| holidays without draining your budget. | | | | establish rules beforehand, regarding how much each |
| Here are some low-cost ideas for motivating | | | | participant should spend and keeping gifts work |
| employees during the holidays: | | | | appropriate. |
| | | | |
| Throw a holiday party. Holding a company holiday | | | | Send holiday cards. Holiday and Christmas cards are a |
| party is a traditional way to boost morale and bring a | | | | simple way for everyone to show their appreciation |
| little laughter back into your workforce. Look for a | | | | for each other at the end of the year. A thoughtful |
| less-expensive venue that you could dress up with | | | | business holiday card can spread a little holiday cheer |
| decorations instead of the pricy banquet hall you’ve | | | | while boosting morale. |
| used in the past. Save money on entertainment by | | | | Volunteer. Participate in the spirit of giving by allowing |
| asking employees if they have DJ or musical | | | | employees to take a day off of work and volunteer |
| experience. | | | | for a special non-profit organization. Not only will it |
| Cancel the holiday party. Do like the media giant | | | | show your company’s goodwill toward the |
| Viacom did this year and cancel your holiday party all | | | | community, but will allow employees to give back to a |
| together. Instead, give your employees a couple extra | | | | cause they believe in. |
| holiday vacation days to relax and recharge for the | | | | Keep it easy, keep it fun and do what you can to |
| coming year. It will show employees that the company | | | | show employees how much they’re appreciated |
| values the time employees have given away from | | | | during the holiday season. A simple sign of employee |
| their family, by giving a little back. | | | | recognition during the holidays can help spark some |
| | | | end of the year motivation and productivity that will get |
| Hold a special in-office event. Save money on an | | | | your business off to a great start in the coming year. |
| office party this year by keeping it in-house. Instead of | | | | |