Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly: Christmas Traditions in Your Workplace
Everyone is excited this time of year. After all...."It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". There is the hustle and bustle in preparation and anticipation of all the holiday events. Can this excitement carry over to the workplace? Can a few simple workplace holiday traditions actually boost staff and patient morale?
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"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly"......... "Tis the Season to be Jolly"....... Sure we all are excited and making preparations for the holidays. There are signs of Christmas everywhere.....lights, trees, ornaments, Christmas songs.......everywhere? Even at work??
Sure.....we can all whistle the songs of Christmas while we work. But do you deck you workplace halls for the holidays? What about parties and mini events? If your workplace happens to be in a hospital, chances are you have many fire regulations that will prevent putting a Christmas tree in every room. But there are other things you can do to bring the holiday spirit into those otherwise sterile environments.
Christmas traditions can actually boost the morale of staff as well as patients who would rather be anywhere but in a hospital at Christmastime. And it can put a lilt in the steps of workers.
Planned Christmas traditions will allow the staff to know what to expect and give them something to look forward to. After all, we've always heard that a happy worker is often a more productive worker. Making the workplace a little more festive will certainly help to make coming to work a little more pleasant.
Here are some Christmas traditions that bring a bit of holiday cheer to nursing staff in various workplace settings. Does your workplace practice any of these?
Secret Santa
The tradition of 'Secret Santa' exchanges works just as well in the workplace as it did in elementary school - and everywhere in between the two! 'Secret Santa' cuts down on the time and expense of getting gifts or writing Christmas card for all the staff. It also eliminates the hurt feelings or tension when some co-workers are left out of the fun. A voluntary program lets everyone who wants to participate, and a spending limit controls competitiveness and expense.
Decorating Contest
Most floors or offices try to personalize their workspace in some way at Christmas. Why not have a competition between the offices or floors. See who can be the most creative in producing a festive environment that can be enjoyed by the staff, patients, and visitors. Of course, there will be ground rules and regulations. But this can really be fun. Everyone loves a bit of competition.
Christmas Lunch/Dinner/Goodies
Everyone loves to partake of holiday food. A staff Christmas meal or just a casual get together can be fun. It is especially appreciated if the food is provided by the employer. Getting together for a staff Christmas lunch or dinner is certainly much easier for non-hospital staff, but Christmas foods can be enjoyed at the hospital as well. It can be a potluck, or employers can provide all or some of the food. No matter what.....Christmas goodies always bring a smile to everyone's face.
Some other things that help bring the festivities of the season to the workplace:
Christmas caroling by various community groups
Santa visits the children and children at heart
Special holiday meals in the cafeteria.....well as special a meal as you can have in a cafeteria
Holiday freebies and goodies throughout the season......cookies, spiced hot cider, candy canes, etc
Festive scrubs
Christmas bonuses -always appreciated!!
Working during the holidays does not have to mean that we do without the joyfulness of Christmas. Through the Christmas traditions we enjoy, we can bring happiness and joy into the hearts of staff and those who are not fortunate enough to be able to go home at the end of the workday.
What are some of the holiday traditions at your workplace?
