Creating and honoring inclusive holiday celebrations is an opportunity to reimagine the traditional Christmas party and provide tangible employee experiences that reinforce your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy.
According to a 2021 survey, 83% of respondent companies were currently implementing a DEI strategy, and more than half of these organizations are using DEI metrics to help them track workforce representation and recruiting efforts.
DEI initiatives aren’t the only influence on growing an increasingly diverse workforce in the United States. The Pew Research Center reports that about 90% of U.S. adults identified as Christians in the early 1990s. Today, as many adults have switched out of the religion they were raised in, only about 65% identify as Christian.
Planning holiday celebrations that are inclusive can be viewed with trepidation, or as an intentional opportunity to make all employees at your company feel seen and respected. Here are ten ways to celebrate inclusive holidays that employees look forward to.
1. Focus on achievements
Highlighting the achievements of your company and recognizing your teams is a great way to host an event that is celebratory and inclusive.
2. Celebrate in January
December can be a stressful month for employees who are balancing work — including end-of-year projects — with personal holiday preparations. Hosting a party in January that celebrates the new year is a great way to relieve stress and provide an inclusive event.
3. Make party attendance optional
Keep in mind that not all religions celebrate holidays, and now more than ever, people have concerns about being in large group settings.
4. Include hybrid and remote workers
Technology is on your side when it comes to helping workers with hybrid and remote schedules attend your holiday celebrations. Sending something tangible to employees who will attend your party virtually can help them feel connected to the event.
5. Make gifting optional
Mandatory gift exchanges can be stressful for many reasons, including cultural and financial ones. If you do offer an optional gift exchange, setting a spending limit or using a fun format — like a White Elephant — can ensure maximum participation.
6. Provide a wide range of food
One way to include everyone on your employee guest list is to provide a wide range of food that respects dietary and cultural restrictions. Food is also an opportunity to recognize the diversity of cultures represented within your organization.
7. Consider a themed party
From a Winter Wonderland to a Tropical party, an inclusive theme can bring employees from diverse backgrounds together in a fun way.
8. Celebrate holidays year-round
Celebrating holidays like Diwali, Juneteenth, Ramadan, the Chinese New Year, and others throughout the year honors your diverse workforce and raises awareness of global celebrations.
9. Involve your ERGs
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be an invaluable resource for tapping into what holidays are important to your employees and ensuring that your events are culturally appropriate, relevant and fun.
10. Ask your employees
If your company is large, or has been growing at a rapid pace, surveying your employees about the holidays that are important to them can help you plan an annual event calendar that is fun and inclusive.
Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.
Robert Alan
