The holidays are upon us—a time of joy, reflection, and, let’s face it, more than little stress along with the eggnog. For employers, this season offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on employees’ well-being by offering thoughtful holiday benefits that truly resonate. Don’t let the end of year deadlines and stress make you miss this prime opportunity for fostering connection, showing gratitude, and setting the tone for the year ahead.
Here are a few things to consider for your holiday benefits checklist — to ensure your team feels appreciated, supported, and ready to thrive as the calendar flips to a new year.
1. Mental Wellness Support
The holidays may be joyful for many, but they can also be a challenging time for employees balancing personal commitments, financial pressures, and work deadlines. Investing in mental wellness benefits not only helps employees navigate seasonal stress but also demonstrates your commitment to their overall well-being.
- Expanded EAP Resources: Highlight your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits and expand access to include additional free counseling sessions during the holiday season. Partner with counselors or therapists specializing in stress, grief, or family dynamics, as these can be common challenges during this time.
- Mindfulness Workshops: Offer guided mindfulness or meditation sessions, either in-person or virtually, to help employees find calm amid the holiday rush. Consider themed sessions like “Managing Holiday Stress” or “Finding Balance in the Season of Giving.”
- Mental Health Day: Provide an optional “mental health day” for employees to take a break and recharge before or after the holidays. Pair this with educational content about recognizing signs of stress and burnout.
- Peer Support Networks: Create opportunities for employees to connect and support each other. For instance, host a casual “coffee chat” series where employees can share tips for managing holiday stress or discuss mental health in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
- Digital Therapy and Coaching: Partner with platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace to offer on-demand mental health support. These platforms allow employees to access licensed therapists via chat or video, providing immediate assistance during hectic times.
- Stress-Busting Kits: Provide employees with wellness kits that include stress-relief tools like aromatherapy oils, fidget toys, journals, or adult coloring books. Pair this with a personalized note encouraging them to take moments of self-care.
- Holiday Grief Support: Recognize that for some employees, the holidays can be a painful reminder of loss. Offer specific grief support resources, like webinars or guides, to help them navigate this sensitive time.
- Promote Work-Life Boundaries: Encourage employees to set boundaries by implementing policies like no-meeting afternoons or reduced email expectations during the holiday weeks. Demonstrating leadership support for work-life balance can significantly reduce holiday burnout.
By providing a mix of proactive support, education, and flexibility, you can empower employees to take charge of their mental health and find balance during the holiday season.
2. Flexible Spending for the Festivities
The holidays often come with significant financial stress, and even small gestures from employers can go a long way. Help employees stretch their holiday budgets by reminding them about flexible spending account (FSA) deadlines or offering year-end bonuses in gift cards instead of cash.
This small touch can help families manage the costs of gifts, travel, and holiday meals while adding a personal flair to your gesture of appreciation. Other creative ways to help employees ease their holiday budgets include:
- Expanded Gift Card Options: Instead of one-size-fits-all gift cards, let employees choose from an array of options, including major retailers, small businesses, or experiential platforms like Airbnb or StubHub. This adds a personal touch while giving employees the flexibility to make the most of your gift.
- Holiday Expense Stipends: Offer a one-time stipend to help employees cover holiday-related costs such as gifts, groceries, travel, or seasonal childcare. Framing this as a “holiday helper” adds a festive flair to the benefit.
- FSA and HSA Year-End Tips: Send out a checklist of eligible expenses and creative ways to use remaining flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds before year-end deadlines. Think beyond medical supplies—include ideas like sunblock for holiday vacations or items to support wellness at home.
- Seasonal Discounts: Partner with local businesses or online platforms to offer exclusive discounts on popular holiday items, services, or experiences.
Providing these options shows you understand and support employees’ personal challenges, fostering goodwill during an otherwise stressful season.
3. Seasonal PTO or Remote Work Options
The gift of time is priceless, and for many employees, time is the most valuable holiday resource. Being creative with work arrangements can help your team handle personal responsibilities while maintaining their work commitments.
- Holiday Flex Days: Provide additional PTO or allow employees to leave early or swap shifts during the week leading up to major holidays. Even a few extra hours can make a huge difference for errands, travel prep, or family time.
- Customizable Schedules: If it makes sense for your business, let employees work a modified schedule for the last few weeks of the year—four-day workweeks, earlier start and end times, or split shifts can help ease holiday stress.
- Recharge Time for January: Consider a post-holiday wellness day or half-day in January to help employees reset for the year ahead. A collective day of relaxation can be an energizing gift for the entire team.
4. Customizable Holiday Benefits
Every employee’s holiday season looks different, so why not let them choose their own perk? Consider a “winter benefit buffet” where employees can select from options like additional PTO, wellness stipends, or charitable donation matches.
- Additional PTO: As we mentioned above, giving employees the option to take a few extra days off to rest, travel, or spend time with family can be invaluable.
- Wellness Stipends: Offer funds that employees can use on personal wellness needs, like a gym membership, spa treatment, or winter gear.
- Charitable Giving Matches: Match donations to charities of the employee’s choice.
- Education Funds: Provide vouchers or stipends for professional development courses or certifications.
- Local Experience Vouchers: Partner with local businesses to provide discounts or passes for dining, theater, or seasonal attractions.
Customization shows you value employees as individuals and gives them the power to craft their ideal holiday benefit.
5. Winter Wellness Perks
Winter brings its own set of challenges—shorter days, colder weather, and an uptick in illnesses. Show you care by offering seasonal wellness perks. Sponsor flu shots, provide stipends for gym memberships, or even distribute cozy care packages with blankets, tea, and wellness essentials.
Winter can be tough on employees, with cold weather, short days, and seasonal illnesses in full swing. Show you care by offering perks that boost physical and emotional well-being:
- Flu Shot Clinics: Host an on-site vaccination day or provide reimbursement for flu shots at local pharmacies.
- Vitamin Boosts: Distribute wellness kits with Vitamin D supplements, herbal teas, and immune boosters.
- Seasonal Activity Passes: Offer stipends or passes for winter activities like ice skating, yoga classes, or virtual fitness memberships.
- Ergonomic Upgrades: Provide home-office stipends for ergonomic chairs, standing desks, or cozy footrests for those working remotely.
- Light Therapy Lamps: Help combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by gifting employees light therapy lamps to brighten their workdays.
- Wellness Challenges: Start a team-wide winter wellness challenge with incentives for hitting hydration goals, taking daily steps, or prioritizing sleep.
- Mindfulness and Meditation Apps: Give employees access to apps like Calm or Headspace to help manage stress during the holiday rush.
6. Financial Wellness Workshops
The holidays are often accompanied by financial strain, so consider hosting a financial wellness workshop to empower employees with tools to manage holiday spending and plan for the year ahead. Topics like budgeting, debt management, and saving for big-ticket purchases resonate especially well in December.
For many employees, the financial strain of the holidays can overshadow the joy of the season. Empower your team with practical tools and resources to manage their money effectively during this high-spending time.
- Budgeting Boot Camps: Host workshops that focus on creating holiday budgets, avoiding overspending, and setting achievable savings goals. Frame these sessions as preparation for the holidays and the new year.
- Debt Management Resources: Partner with financial advisors to offer sessions on managing or consolidating holiday credit card debt and creating a sustainable repayment plan.
- Gift-Giving Hacks: Include tips for thoughtful, low-cost gifting options—like DIY ideas or leveraging seasonal sales—to make the holidays more affordable without sacrificing the spirit of giving.
- Personalized Coaching: Provide access to financial coaches for one-on-one sessions that address employees’ unique concerns, from retirement savings to holiday budgeting strategies.
- Holiday Savings Challenges: Introduce a friendly competition where employees share their best money-saving tips. Offer small prizes to keep the challenge engaging and celebratory.
Practical financial advice and resources show your commitment to supporting employees beyond their work lives, easing holiday stress and helping them build financial confidence.
7. Transportation and Parking Perks
Winter weather often makes commuting more challenging, and parking downtown during the holidays can be an expensive hassle. Help employees navigate this season with ease by offering:
- Public Transportation Passes: Subsidize metro, train, or bus passes to take the edge off daily commutes.
- Parking Allowances: Cover a portion of parking costs for employees working on-site.
- Ride-Share Credits: Provide Uber or Lyft credits for employees traveling to office events or holiday celebrations.
8. Giving Back Opportunities
The holiday season is a time for generosity, and employees love working for companies that give back. Sometimes, the most impactful “benefit” is a simple thank you. Consider distributing handwritten notes of appreciation or personalized holiday gifts.
Pair these gestures with an end-of-year team lunch or virtual celebration to reinforce the sense of community and connection:
- Handwritten Notes: A heartfelt thank-you note can go a long way toward making employees feel valued.
- Team Gratitude Boards: Set up a virtual or physical board where team members can post messages of appreciation for their colleagues.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Organize a team day to volunteer at local food banks, shelters, or toy drives.
- Charity Matching Program: Match employee donations to causes they care about most, doubling the impact of their giving.
- Holiday Donation Drives: Set up a company-wide drive for winter clothing, toys, or non-perishable food items to support local nonprofits.
These actions foster a sense of community and purpose, both within your organization and beyond.
9. Professional Development for the New Year
Help employees start the year strong by investing in their growth. Provide end-of-year access to online learning platforms, skill-building courses, or career coaching. Framing this as a holiday gift emphasizes your commitment to their long-term success.
End the year by helping employees invest in their future. Provide access to:
- Online learning platforms for skill-building.
- Virtual career coaching sessions.
- Book or conference stipends for personal and professional growth.
This sends a strong message: you’re not just invested in your employees today but in their long-term success.
10. Holiday Party Ideas with a Twist
The traditional office holiday party is great, but why not add a modern twist to make it more memorable? Here are some fresh ideas to celebrate the season with your team:
- Experience Over Extravagance: Skip the fancy ballroom and opt for something interactive, like an escape room challenge, paint-and-sip event, or cooking class.
- Theme Parties: Get creative with themes like “Ugly Sweater Extravaganza,” a pajama brunch, or a retro holiday movie marathon with costumes.
- Family-Friendly Gatherings: Host a holiday carnival with games, crafts, and Santa visits to include employees’ families in the festivities.
- Food Truck Festivities: Invite seasonally themed food trucks to gather at your workplace and provide employees with coupons for delicious food or hot chocolate!
- Holiday Market: Bring the fun to the office with a pop-up market where employees can shop for gifts from local artisans and vendors. Include a stipend to make it even more rewarding.
- Wellness-Centric Parties: Instead of late-night cocktails, consider a wellness-themed celebration with yoga classes, chair massages, and healthy treats. Employees can leave relaxed and rejuvenated.
- Virtual or Hybrid Celebrations: For remote teams, host a virtual party complete with fun activities like online trivia, gift exchanges via apps like Elfster, or cooking a meal together on a live video call.
Adding these twists ensures your holiday gathering resonates with your team’s diverse preferences while creating lasting memories.
Breaking Through the Holiday Noise with Selerix Engage
Amid the flurry of tinsel and gingerbread, employees are often distracted, out on PTO and inundated with messages — making it all too easy for important benefits information to get lost.
That’s where Selerix Engage comes in.
Our powerful communication platform ensures your holiday benefits don’t just sit in an inbox—they stand out. Snow drifts in your neck of the woods? Engage is great for keeping employees up on your winter weather policies, too.
With Engage, your holiday communications can:
- Stand Out: Create eye-catching, visually rich messages that capture attention amid the seasonal chaos.
- Inform Seamlessly: Deliver timely reminders about benefits, holiday schedules, and perks in digestible, interactive formats.
- Foster Engagement: Use videos, quizzes, or fun polls to make holiday messaging memorable and enjoyable.
Use Engage to craft visually engaging holiday messages, deliver timely reminders, and even include interactive elements like quizzes or videos to keep employees informed and excited.
From showcasing your gratitude to reminding employees about year-end deadlines, Engage helps you connect with your team when it matters most.
Make This A Holiday Benefits Season to Remember
The holidays are a fantastic opportunity to show your employees they’re valued, supported, and central to your organization’s success. By offering thoughtful benefits and prioritizing clear communication, you can spread cheer and set the stage for a successful year ahead.
Ready to take your benefits communication to the next level this holiday season? Let Selerix help you turn your ideas into action. Contact us today to learn more!
