6 Ideas for Managers Welcoming Their Team Back from the Christmas Break

It’s no secret that January is the bluest month of the year. Christmas is over, the weather is dismal, and the long-awaited end-of-year holiday is done and dusted. Back to work we go! As a manager, it can be tricky to lift the spirits of your staff and ensure the New Year starts with a bang - but, fortunately, it’s not impossible.

By creating a plan to welcome your team back to the office, you can help them crack a smile on their first day at work and give them the cheer they need to get 2023 started.

1. Start with a half day and New Year party

The first day back to work is often the hardest. Very few people enjoy the sound of their alarm going off at 6 AM! But if your team know that they’re coming back to a half day and a party, the morning commute will feel a whole lot easier.

Give staff a chance to natter about their holidays, exchange Christmas jokes and talk about plans for the year ahead by giving them the afternoon off. A few hours of work followed by a few hours of fun, and the first day back is a breeze! Bring some snacks and turn on some tunes to ensure a good vibe, and get involved with the mingling to lift workplace morale.

2. Organize a trip to the theatre

The cold months are the best time for an evening theatre trip, and it gives your team something to look forward to as the year gets going. There are tons of shows worth checking out including:

• The Lion King
• Moulin Rogue
• Mamma Mia!
• Wicked

Invite your staff on their first day back to work, leaving an invite on each desk. Add that they should dress to impress and choose a bar for a drink beforehand for an extra special night out. If that doesn’t make your team happy to be back, we don’t know what will!

3. Watch a Guinness Six Nations rugby match

January can be a super busy month, so if you can’t plan anything for the first few weeks, look towards the months ahead. February, for example, marks the start of the Guinness Six Nations Rugby tournament. If you know you have a lot of sports fans in your team, treating them to tickets is guaranteed to make the busy January period a lot easier. Find corporate tickets with hospitality suites at The Green Room, where you’ll find yourself “Immersed in an interactive and star-studded experience.”

4. Create New Year’s goals

Not every welcoming back idea has to be a big event. Sometimes, something as simple as getting together to plan out some New Year’s goals can be just what your team needs to get their mojo back.

Organize a group get-together on your first day back, giving staff a chance to share news and have a chat about their Christmas break. Then, give everyone the opportunity to come up with and share their goals for the New Year, work-related or otherwise! It’s a great way to instill some team spirit in your employees and begin the year on a positive note.

5. Give back to the community

What better way to start the New Year than with something that gives back to your community? This will help your staff feel happier and more fulfilled, as well as improve your brand image - it’s a win-win! There are a lot of different ways you can give back, such as with sponsored events, like walks or runs, that raise money for local causes. You could also take your team on a volunteering day during work time, helping out at an animal shelter or community garden, for example.

6. A workplace brunch

If you haven’t got the funds for a work outing but still want to do something special to welcome your team back, a workplace brunch is the perfect event. Inexpensive and simple to host, it’s a fantastic way to make getting back to the office that much easier.

Choose an office meeting room and create a spread of delicious brunch food. Let your team know when it’s set up, and make sure your present to welcome your team back.