How often are you looking to recognize your employees?
Consistently
Only for Milestones and Special Events
Based on your answers...
Unwrap the gift of Connects Plus for your employees this holiday season!
Connects Plus is a winter wonderland of engagement, where you can bring remote, in-person, and hybrid teams together for meaningful connection in one central digital location.
With Connects Plus, you can celebrate those milestones, send recognition for a job well done, and even let your employees choose their own gift from a sleigh-full of options, including Gift Cards, Tickets, Events, Experiences and Charitable Giving all from a Marketplace of 2,500+ top brands! Get ready to spread some holiday cheer and create a workplace culture that's merrier than Santa's workshop with Connects Plus!
Schedule a Connects Plus Demo Today!
Click on the stockings for expert advise from our recognition specialists.
Tatiana Frierson
CEO
Implementing a meaningful holiday recognition program is not just a gesture of goodwill; it’s a strategic investment in an organization’s culture and overall success. By acknowledging and celebrating the diverse holidays and traditions of our employees, we foster an environment of inclusivity and respect, which significantly boosts morale and job satisfaction. This approach not only enhances employee engagement and loyalty but also promotes a sense of belonging and unity within our teams. As a result, we see increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a stronger, more cohesive organizational culture that drives our collective success forward.
Theresa Harkins-Schulz
Senior VP or Product and Customer Experience
Implementing a holiday reward program requires careful planning, clear communication, and consideration of your employees' diverse needs and preferences. Here are some best practices to ensure your holiday reward program is successful and appreciated:
By following these best practices, you can create a holiday reward program that not only boosts employee morale and satisfaction but also reinforces a positive and inclusive company culture.
Set Clear Objectives
Budget Management
Design the Program
Communication
Recognition
& Celebration
Examples of
Holiday Rewards
Set Clear Objectives
Define Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with the program (e.g., boosting morale, recognizing hard work, fostering inclusivity).
Align with Company Values: Ensure the program reflects and supports your company’s core values and culture.
Budget Management
Budget Planning: Allocate a specific budget for the holiday reward program and ensure it is sufficient to cover the planned rewards.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Look for cost-effective yet meaningful reward options to maximize the program’s reach.
Design the Program
Variety of Rewards: Recognize that employees have different needs and interests so offer a mix of rewards such as gift cards, extra paid time off, personalized gifts, charitable donations, and experiential rewards like event tickets or trips.
Inclusive Selection: Make sure the rewards cater to a diverse workforce, considering different cultures, lifestyles, and preferences.
Communication
Announce the Program: Clearly communicate the details of the holiday reward program to managers and employees.
Guidelines: Share information on how reward taxes (if applicable) will be handled and when reward redemptions must be completed.
Appropriate Timing: Distribute rewards in a timely manner, preferably before or during the holiday season, to maximize their impact.
Personal Delivery: Whenever possible, deliver rewards in person, with a personal touch to enhance their significance or a follow up call from their manager.
Recognition and Celebration
Public Recognition: Acknowledge reward recipients in company-wide communications or at holiday events to celebrate their achievements.
Inclusive Events: Host inclusive holiday events that recognize and reward employees, fostering a sense of community and celebration.
Examples of Holiday Rewards
Gift Cards: To popular retailers, restaurants, or online stores.
Personalized Gifts: Custom gifts that show thoughtfulness and appreciation.
Experience-Based Rewards: Tickets to concerts, theater shows, or holiday events.
Charitable Donations: Donations made in the employee’s name to a charity of their choice
Lesa Blakey
Vice President of People and Operations
Recognition should occur year-round, but during the holidays it’s the perfect time to truly show an extra measure of appreciation to your employees. We all know the holidays are a stressful, busy and expensive time of year for employees who are working to take care of families and friends.
Why not surprise and delight your employees with an unexpected holiday gift?
In essence, the best holiday gift is the one an employee actually wants and needs. From my experience, allowing employees to select a gift that has meaning to them creates the best holiday program, hands down.
Done well, it can boost employee engagement and create positive vibes during the holiday season.
The best holiday programs include these elements...
The best holiday programs include these elements:
Custom messages to fit the corporate culture
Gift choices like merchandise or digital gift cards within a set target budget
Company branding to build connection and pride in the corporate culture
Personalized multiple touch points like: • A real physical holiday card in the mail. (Everyone loves festive holiday cards. I know I do!) • A digital interactive experience with video and music for all the feels
And most importantly: a stress free, easy implementation and quick launch with Inspirus doing all the work to make HR look like a hero because Santa delivered something extra special to the employees this year.
Paula Ambrozic
Vice President of Customer Success
One of the most impactful holiday recognition programs we’ve seen was the "Gift of Gratitude Season" implemented by a large hospital system. This initiative was spearheaded by the CEO and Senior Leadership team as a way to express appreciation for the hard work of their employees. Each active employee (excluding temporary staff, supervisors, and physicians) received a generous gift of points that they could be redeemed for a gift of their choosing, along with a heartfelt message from the CEO. The program emphasized the importance of gratitude and recognition, especially during the holiday season.
To further reinforce this appreciation, the program included two internal communications: one from the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and another joint message from both the CEO and CHRO. These communications, combined with a special program eCard, helped create a unified and uplifting message of gratitude.
The "Gift of Gratitude Season" was a powerful example of how leadership-driven recognition can boost morale and foster a sense of belonging, making it one of the most successful holiday campaigns we’ve seen.
The best holiday programs include these elements:
Custom messages to fit the corporate culture
Gift choices like merchandise or digital gift cards within a set target budget
Company branding to build connection and pride in the corporate culture
Personalized multiple touch points like: • A real physical holiday card in the mail. (Everyone loves festive holiday cards. I know I do!) • A digital interactive experience with video and music for all the feels
And most importantly: a stress free, easy implementation and quick launch with Inspirus doing all the work to make HR look like a hero because Santa delivered something extra special to the employees this year.
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Holiday Program
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