Your Go-To Holiday Employee Messaging Guide

The holiday season is special for so many reasons – it’s a time of year filled with celebration, joy, and reflection whether you’re celebrating a Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or simply the close of a successful year. It’s also a unique opportunity for organizations to engage with employees in meaningful ways. 

From announcing celebratory events to sending warm wishes and holiday gifts, the way you communicate with employees during this season plays a key role in shaping a supportive, engaging company culture for the months and years to come. This employee messaging guide will help you navigate the festive season with examples of what to say and how to say it – so you can focus on inspiring holiday cheer and encouraging a joyful spirit of camaraderie in the workplace.

Clear and Thoughtful Communication During the Holiday Season

Thoughtful corporate communication is essential at all times of the year but, during the holiday season, it’s especially important to get it right. Holiday messaging isn’t just about communicating the logistics of parties, office closures or work schedules – it’s about showing employees just how valued and appreciated they are. 

Why celebrate employees during the holidays? It goes far beyond just a nice gesture. Recognition and appreciation improve all aspects of employee experience from morale to productivity to retention, all of which impact a company’s bottom line. For example, 80 percent of employees would work harder if they felt better appreciated. Research also shows that employee recognition also increases employee engagement, productivity and performance by 14 percent. 

The right messaging can help create a joyous holiday season, ending the year on a high note for all. 

Before we dive into specific holiday messaging, here are a few best practices to keep in mind at all times for great employee communication:

• Be inclusive: Recognize the different cultural, religious and secular holidays this time of year, keeping in mind the diverse backgrounds of employees and fostering respect for all. 
• Keep messaging clear and timely: Send messages about office closures, schedules, deadlines, or any other updates well in advance and clearly laid out to avoid confusion during a busy season. 
• Show genuine appreciation: Be specific and authentic in your acknowledgments, recognizing the unique contributions and qualities of each employee. 
• Encourage wellbeing: Keep the health and happiness of employees in the front, reminding them to take time off to recharge and spend time with loved ones. 
• Keep a positive, warm tone: A friendly, uplifting tone helps foster a positive company culture. 

Preparing Your Team for the Holiday Season

Messaging at this time of year isn’t just about wishing employees “Happy holidays!” While sending warm wishes is important (and we’ll get to that!), communication about logistics helps the season run smoothly for your team and the organization as a whole.

Here are some examples to make sure everyone is on the same page and ready to close out the year successfully. 

Messaging for Reduced Hours or Office Closures

Notify employees well in advance of any changes to regular working hours or office closures. For example:

"As we approach the holiday season, please be reminded that our offices will be closed from [Date] to [Date] to allow everyone to enjoy a well-deserved break. We will resume regular business hours on [Date]. We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and relaxation!"

Remote or Flexible Work Guidelines During the Holidays

With many employees opting for remote or more flexible work arrangements during the holidays, it’s important to provide clear guidelines and expectations that outline when remote work is allowed, what processes should be followed and any other changes to procedures. This could look like:

"To support a joyous holiday season and give everyone the flexibility they need, we’re offering remote work options between [Date] and [Date]. Please ensure that all tasks are completed by the necessary deadlines and communicate with your manager if any adjustments are needed. Let’s work together to finish the year on a high note!"

Pre-Holiday Deadlines

Make sure to remind employees of any important deadlines before the end of the year to avoid last-minute rushes or missed opportunities. For example, a message to keep everyone aligned could say:

"As we wrap up another successful year, please make note of the following deadlines before the holiday break. All project submissions and expense reports must be completed by [Date] to ensure everything is processed on time. We appreciate your dedication and wish you a fantastic holiday season!"

Messaging for Holiday Events and Celebrations

The holiday season is the perfect time to bring your team together and celebrate the year’s accomplishments. In fact, research found that 85% of managers believe holiday parties have a positive impact on morale and keep the team motivated. 

Thoughtful and inclusive invitations are an excellent way to spread holiday cheer while making sure that all employees feel welcome. 

Sample Invite to Employees for Parties and Company Events

When sending out a party invitation, make sure it reflects various cultural and religious holidays so everyone feels valued and included. Here’s an example:

"We’re excited to invite you to our annual company holiday celebration! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply the season of reflection, this event is a chance for us all to come together and enjoy a festive season of joy and appreciation. Join us for an evening of fun, great food, and camaraderie on [Date] at [Location]."

Communicating Event Details

Clear communication of event logistics helps employees know what to expect. Make it easy for your team to participate by outlining everything they need to know including the dress code, location, time, and RSVP requirements. For example:

"Mark your calendars for our company holiday party on [Date] at [Location]! The event will begin at [Time] and we encourage everyone to come dressed in festive, semi-formal attire. Please RSVP by [Date] by filling out this survey [LINK] so we can make the necessary arrangements. We look forward to celebrating a successful year with you all!"

Inclusive Messaging

Creating an atmosphere where every employee feels comfortable and included requires more than just opting for “Happy Holidays!” instead of “Merry Christmas!” Consider including additional messaging that speaks to the different needs and preferences of employees, such as:

“At [Company Name], we celebrate the uniqueness of every individual and recognize the different holidays that make this season special for each of us. As we gather for our holiday party, we want to ensure that everyone feels welcome. If you have any dietary needs, accessibility requirements or special preferences, please let us know by [Date]."

Employee Wellbeing and Support

The end of the year is full of opportunities to take time for relaxation and rejuvenation – but it can also be a time of stress, deadlines and wrapping up projects. Help promote a culture of work-life balance by letting employees know that their wellbeing is a priority. 

Nurturing a balanced work culture is not only good for employees’ mental and physical wellbeing, it’s good for the company, too. A study from Gallup, for example, found that companies with strong, supportive cultures have teams that are more motivated and better able to focus, leading to 17 percent higher productivity, 20 percent higher sales, and 21 percent higher profitability. 

There are countless ways to tell employees you care about them, but here’s one example for the holiday season.

 "As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind you to take time to relax and recharge. Your hard work has been the driving force behind our successful year, and we encourage you to use this time to enjoy the company of loved ones and focus on what matters most. Thank you for all that you’ve done – we look forward to an exciting year ahead!"

Holiday Greetings and Personal Messages

In between all the logistical communication and messages to support company culture, don’t forget about the holiday greetings themselves!

Showing appreciation is important at any time of the year. In fact, research from Gallup shows that employees who are regularly shown appreciation are 56 percent less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere and 73 percent less likely to feel burnt out. During the holiday season, personalized and sincere holiday greetings that show appreciation are an absolute must. 

Company-Wide Greetings

A company-wide holiday greeting is an excellent opportunity for leadership to reach out the entire organization with a message of gratitude and encouragement. These messages should be warm, sincere and reflect the values of the company. Use the moment to acknowledge employees’ hard work and successes over the past year, while inspiring motivation for the year ahead.

Here’s an example for leadership to send to the company:

"As we wrap up another successful year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the dedication and hard work you’ve all shown. This year has brought its challenges, but together we’ve navigated them with strength and resilience. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a peaceful holiday season filled with joy and relaxation. I look forward to all the great things we’ll accomplish in the year ahead." 

Managers Send Personal Messages

While a wide-reaching holiday message to employees shouldn’t be missed, a more individualized message from a manager can be even more impactful. The personal touch adds a layer of sincerity and genuine appreciation. 

These types of messages should:

• Be specific: Mention a particular project or contribution that stood out.
• Show gratitude: Express sincere thanks for their dedication and hard work.
• Look ahead: Encourage them with positive words for the new year.

Here’s one example that can be tailored to the individual:

"Hi [Name], I wanted to personally thank you for your exceptional contributions this year. Your work on [Project] has been outstanding, and your commitment to our team’s success doesn’t go unnoticed. As we enter the holiday season, I hope you take time to relax and enjoy time with your loved ones. I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish together in the coming year! Happy Holidays and warmest wishes for the New Year."

Employee Holiday Gift Giving 

Words are powerful but, when combined with action, they become even more meaningful. Pairing a holiday message with a concrete, tangible action like a gift amplifies the impact of your efforts. 

Finding the perfect gifts for employees can be challenging and time-consuming – but it doesn’t have to be! Inspirus simplifies your employee gift program, removing the administrative burden on you and putting the power back into your employees’ hands to choose the gift of their choice that aligns with your budget and goals. 

Launching your holiday gifting program with Inspirus is quick and hassle-free. Here’s how it works: 

• Select your budget tiers, provide holiday messaging for the digital card and send us your recipient’s contact information. 
• Recipients receive automated email and/or text message notifications, so they know they’ve received a gift without any extra effort on your part.
• Employees receive a beautifully customized, branded digital holiday card from you, making the experience feel personal and unique.
• Recipients can choose a gift from over 2,500 popular brands – meaning that everyone finds something they truly want.

On top of the thousands of branded gift options, you can also offer employees alternative options like gift cards, charitable giving, experiences, and more.

Celebrate the Holidays With the Right Messaging and Gifts

As the holiday season approaches, combine thoughtful messaging with personalized gifts to show employees how much they’re valued. With Inspirus, you can simplify the process and spark countless moments of joy this holiday season. Get your holiday program started today with Inspirus. 

More Holiday Guides and Resources

• The Ultimate Holiday Toolkit
• 5 Holiday Gift Options for Employees 
• Holiday Season Email Templates and Tips to Engage Your Employees
• 12 Meaningful Holiday Messages to Employees