Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it's time to set the table and throw a Thanksgiving team building event the whole office will enjoy. Read on for our tips on how to throw the perfect Friendsgiving celebration! 🎉
It's that time of year when the leaves are falling and there's a chill in the air. Soon we'll be in the go, go, go of the holiday season!
Before you get overwhelmed with the final quarter of the year, it's important to think about Thanksgiving team building activities that let your team members know how much they mean to you.
Here at Confetti, it's always our priority to create unique team building activities that encourage employee engagement and happy teams. Our Friendsgiving collection is no exception! Gobble up our ideas on how to throw the perfect Friendsgiving for your folks in the office, below:
When you think about celebrating Thanksgiving, you may think it's only a holiday featuring a table full of food surrounded by close family members and friends. Thoughts may turn to the past year and all the things that contribute to your health and happiness, but not the office.
Believe it or not, we spend the majority of our waking hours at work! So, when reflecting on the question, "What are you thankful for?", hopefully, your answer includes your amazing team members, too! 🥳
Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to share gratitude, promote team bonding, and let your co-workers know how much they mean to you. It's important to make time to celebrate your employees and show your staff appreciation because:
Struggling to come up with the best way to celebrate virtual Thanksgiving with your team members? We've got you covered! Here are our ideas for some fun Thanksgiving team building activities the whole team will love this holiday season:
First thing first: we all know that Thanksgiving is rooted in problematic history. This year, make your celebration more inclusive by honoring Native American Heritage Month, which is celebrated all November.
Need some ideas? Here are some to get you started:
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? Celebrating Native American Heritage Month is a great way to bring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to the forefront of your holiday traditions, making sure none of your employees feel excluded and all cultures are celebrated.
Where to get started 👉 Celebrate Friendsgiving with Exploring Native American Art!
What’s Friendsgiving without taking time to spread your appreciation for one another? Share your thanks by creating a community gratitude wall where your in-person co-workers can share what's bringing them joy and fulfillment, creating a beautiful display of gratitude in the process.
Working in a distributed team that needs to participate virtually? Anonymously let your co-workers know how much they mean to you and what qualities you admire most about them in an interactive presentation!
Now that distributed teams are the new norm, studies show that remote workers are even less likely to receive affirmations from their teammates, meaning active recognition is more important than ever.
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? We can't say it enough! Sharing how grateful you are for your employees is one of the best ways to create a healthy work culture, boost productivity, and maintain happy teams.
Where to get started 👉 Give thanks with Workplace Gratitude!
Arts and crafts aren't just for the kids at the dinner table. Hosting a fall-themed crafting class is a great way to unwind, get in the holiday spirit, and craft some beautiful decorations for the Thanksgiving table in the process!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Do you have co-workers with children? Include them as well for a Friendsgiving celebration that's fun for the whole family!
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? When was the last time you sat down to make a piece of art? Making something with your hands is the ultimate way to build rapport with your colleagues and encourage creativity!
Where to get started 👉 Make some Thanksgiving memories with a Fall Origami Class!
Nothing connects people more than food! At Confetti, we love to get teams for a virtual cooking experience.
Bring in an expert chef to walk your team through a new recipe together, learning some show-stopping cooking techniques in the process. Or, learn how to assemble a show-stopping charcuterie board that will leave your guests salivating! Who knows, you may walk away with a new favorite Thanksgiving dish!
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? Cooking together is a great way to push employees out of their comfort zone, connect from afar, and learn new skills in the process.
Where to get started 👉 Serve up the Thanksgiving fun with a Charcuterie Board Making Class!
The celebration isn't complete without some dessert! Learn how to decorate Thanksgiving-themed cupcakes that are almost too good to eat. Create decorative caramel apples, or turn them into yummy fruit butters and cozy jams. Or, learn how to make fruit-filled hand pies that will warm you up!
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? You can't celebrate Thanksgiving without dessert! Creating some holiday desserts with your team is certain to get your group in the festive spirit!
Where to get started 👉 Sweeten up the party with a Caramel Apple Decorating Class!
Kick off your employee's hard-earned time off with a Friendsgiving happy hour!
Hire a mixologist to teach your office members some seasonal cocktails, try some seasonal fall beers, or get a knowledgeable sommelier to teach your team how to create the perfect wine pairings with their holiday menus.
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? A virtual happy hour is a perfect activity for employees to relax and socialize before they go away for the holiday weekend, adding even more fun employee engagement to your Friendsgiving party!
Where to get started 👉 Cheers to Thanksgiving with a BYO Mulled Wine & Cider Making Class!
Take a break in the workday to get together for some friendly competition and host fun Thanksgiving games. Some of our favorite party games for holiday parties are trivia, charades, or Taboo!
Pro tip: To increase connections amongst departments, be sure to mix your teams up so every team member gets the chance to work with someone new.
Why is this a great Thanksgiving team building activity? Games are the perfect way to shake off the typical workday stress, creating some laughs and memories with your colleagues in the process.
Where to get started 👉 Celebrate Thanksgiving with Fall Water Cooler!
Show your team how much they mean to you with a Thanksgiving gift.
Sticking to a budget? No worries! Gifts for employees don't have to be expensive. After all, it's the thought that counts!
Send your team hand-written thank you cards that let them know how much you appreciate all they bring to your company. The more specific and detail-rich, the better!
Make sure your employees get the time off they deserve. A healthy work-life balance is the key to creating a healthy company culture.
Plus, there's no gift that can top quality time with friends and family.
It is the holiday about giving, after all. If your organization doesn't already engage in charitable giving programs, now is the perfect time to start!
Don’t know where to start? Take a poll to see what charities are important to your team members, whether they're personal passions or industry-related initiatives.
Announce a strategy to match employee donations to a worthy cause (an awesome Thanksgiving gift), or organize a group volunteer effort if your team works together in person.
As you can see, there's no shortage of fun Thanksgiving team building activities to make your employees feel appreciated and foster a spirit of gratitude this holiday season.
Ready to celebrate? Need some more ideas for Thanksgiving team building activities? Check out our Friendsgiving collection👭
What if I'm hosting a Thanksgiving event for a remote team?
When it comes to hosting holiday parties for remote teams, we're the pros! No matter where your team is located, Confetti offers a variety of team building events that are friendly for everyone, whether your employees are completely virtual or working in a hybrid setting.
How do I know that my Friendsgiving was a success?
Here at Confetti, we love employee feedback! After your team building events, we recommend you ask your employees what they thought of your company celebration! That way, you can tailor your virtual parties to everyone's satisfaction.
You'll never know if you don't ask!
How hard is it to plan a Friendsgiving event?
Don't sweat! Even though it sounds like a challenge, Confetti can help you throw a fun event for your team in no time! All it takes is a few clicks to book the perfect Thanksgiving celebration for your team.
Ready to start planning your Friendsgiving celebration? Get started now before holiday availability books up fast!
What are some free activities to enjoy with my team?
Not all team building activities have to break the bank! Consider organizing free activities like gratitude-sharing sessions or recipe-sharing. You could also come up with your own round of charades or holiday-themed icebreakers! Not only are these activities budget-friendly, but they also offer opportunities for meaningful connections and more personal team bonding.
