As the holiday season approaches, businesses around the world seek meaningful ways to celebrate and strengthen team connections. Experts weigh in on strategies that promote unity and boost morale, even across distant borders.

What are the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally? Here’s what experts and other thought leaders say.

Organize a Unified Wellness Initiative

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by organizing a unified wellness initiative that encourages connection and well-being across all locations. In my experience, creating a shared experience, like a global fitness or mindfulness challenge, not only promotes health but also builds camaraderie among team members. For example, we once hosted a holiday wellness program focused on posture and movement. We invited employees from partner organizations to participate in virtual Pilates and ergonomic workshops, providing them with practical tips to maintain their physical health during the holiday season. To make it more engaging, we included a friendly competition where teams could track their movement goals, such as steps taken or minutes of mindfulness completed. 

My 30 years of experience in musculoskeletal health and workplace wellness informed every aspect of this program. I drew on my expertise in ergonomics to tailor advice for hybrid and remote teams and used my background in leading integrated clinics to ensure the initiative addressed both physical and mental well-being. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants reporting not only a boost in morale but also a stronger sense of connection with their colleagues globally. This approach exemplifies how thoughtful, wellness-centered holiday celebrations can reinforce team spirit and align with long-term health objectives for businesses.

Peter Hunt, Director & Physiotherapist, The Alignment Studio

Host a Collaborative Cultural Event

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by organizing a collaborative event that connects team members across different locations while incorporating their unique cultural traditions. For example, I once organized a “Green Holiday Challenge” where our team members from various regions shared sustainable decorating ideas, like creating wreaths and ornaments from recycled garden materials. Each team presented their creations via a virtual gathering, and we voted on the most creative entries. This not only allowed us to celebrate the holiday season but also promoted environmental awareness and creativity, which align with our business values. It was a fun way for the team to learn about each other’s cultures and celebrate together despite the physical distance.

My experience as a certified horticulturist with over 15 years in the industry helped me tailor the event to align with our brand’s passion for nature and sustainability. Knowing how to foster creativity and engagement through hands-on projects was key, and my customer service award reflects the ability to bring people together, whether they are clients or team members. This approach fostered stronger bonds within the team, encouraged collaboration, and left everyone feeling valued and inspired heading into the new year. It’s a strategy any business can adapt to connect and celebrate globally.

Andrew Osborne, Owner, Ozzie Mowing & Gardening

Create Inclusive Virtual Holiday Events

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by creating inclusive virtual holiday events that connect team members across different locations. In my years of coaching international businesses, I have seen that a thoughtful and well-planned approach to holiday celebrations can unify even the most dispersed teams. For example, one of my clients, a multinational tech company, was struggling with low engagement among their global employees. 

Drawing from my experience with team dynamics and leveraging insights from my study on entrepreneurial success, I helped them design a “Holiday Around the World” program. This included activities like virtual gift exchanges, a live-streamed cooking session featuring holiday dishes from different cultures, and a team trivia game incorporating fun facts about holiday traditions worldwide.

The result was phenomenal. Employee participation rose and surveys revealed a marked improvement in feelings of inclusivity and team connection. My expertise in understanding what drives people, gained from decades of growing my own ventures and coaching others, enabled me to guide the company toward a solution that resonated with their diverse workforce. 

It was not just about the events themselves but about creating an opportunity for employees to share their own stories and traditions. When people feel seen and valued, they are far more motivated to contribute. Businesses celebrating holidays this way not only strengthen team bonds but also build a more engaged and cohesive company culture.

Ronald Osborne, Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach

Host a Virtual Cultural Exchange

Hosting a virtual cultural exchange is one of the most effective methods I’ve found to celebrate the holidays while promoting global teamwork. With teams distributed throughout the world, it’s an opportunity to learn about how different cultures celebrate the season, fostering both connection and appreciation. Last year, we asked colleagues to share holiday traditions specific to their region. A teammate from Japan displayed Kadomatsu decorations, and someone from Mexico explained the Las Posadas ritual. 

It prompted genuine inquiry and resulted in fascinating exchanges, breaking down traditional work silos. People felt recognized, respected, and celebrated for their background, which strengthened our bond. The personal touch is what made this event so memorable. A colleague from India showed us how to make a simple sweet dish appropriate for their celebrations, while teams in Europe offered family dishes. These moments of shared joy brought us closer together, reminding us that connection is more than just proximity; it is about reciprocal participation and understanding.

Silvia Angeloro, Executive Coach, Resume Mentor

Plan an Inclusive Virtual Celebration

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by organizing a virtual holiday celebration with a twist of inclusivity. Think beyond the usual party—incorporate activities that reflect the diverse cultures and traditions of your global team. For example, create a shared playlist of holiday music from different regions, host a virtual potluck where team members share recipes or dishes from their country, or even have a holiday trivia game that spotlights traditions from around the world. To top it off, consider sending small, thoughtful gifts or handwritten cards that acknowledge the hard work of each team member throughout the year. 

Why it works: It brings people together by celebrating what makes them unique while reinforcing a sense of belonging. Plus, it’s a great way to end the year on a positive, united note—boosting morale and setting the tone for the year ahead.

Luke Beerman, Owner, Freedom Fence FL

Combine Volunteering with Team Engagement

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by organizing a meaningful event that combines giving back to the community with team engagement. For instance, we host an annual holiday volunteer day where our team partners with local organizations to plant trees in underprivileged neighborhoods. This tradition not only embodies the values of sustainability and community but also allows our team to work together outside the typical work environment. By blending professional expertise with an altruistic mission, we have created a celebration that strengthens bonds among employees while contributing positively to our community.

My years of experience as a certified arborist and business owner have shown me the power of aligning team building efforts with a shared purpose. For example, when we planted 50 trees in a Dallas park last holiday season, I used my arboriculture expertise to guide the team on tree selection and care, ensuring the project’s long-term impact. Witnessing my team come together, sharing laughs, learning new skills, and seeing the tangible difference they made was incredibly rewarding. This initiative not only boosted morale but also reinforced our company’s mission to care for both our customers and the environment.

Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services

Create a ‘Holiday Around the World’ Experience

Businesses can celebrate the holidays and boost team spirit globally by creating a “Holiday Around the World” experience. Each team member, no matter where they are, can share how they celebrate the holidays in their culture or region. This could be through a live virtual event where everyone shares stories, holiday traditions, or even shows off festive foods and decorations. To make it even more fun, businesses could send out holiday kits with small items related to different cultures, like ornaments or treats, to help employees feel connected and appreciated. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate diversity, bring the team closer, and make the holiday season feel extra special.

Nilam Chauhan, HR Executive, NITSAN

Host Inclusive Virtual Holiday Experiences

One of the best ways businesses can celebrate the holidays and foster team spirit globally is by creating inclusive, virtual holiday experiences that connect teams across different locations. Consider hosting a cultural exchange event where employees share holiday traditions, recipes, or stories from their regions. Pair this with activities like team trivia or a charitable initiative, such as donating to global causes chosen by the team. This approach promotes connection, inclusion, and shared purpose.

Chris Dyer, Keynote Speaker on Culture, Leadership Speaker

Emphasize Common Values Across Holidays

Celebrating the holidays with a global team is challenging not just because we’re all remote, but because people based in different places may be celebrating different holidays. As an international business, we try to emphasize what we have in common, such as celebrating family and friends and anticipation for the New Year. We make sure that our staff take time off for the holidays, no matter what holidays they celebrate. We also invite our global team members to share their holidays and customs with others, making sure that everyone feels included.

Dan Brown, CEO & Founder, Textun

Organize Inclusive Virtual or Hybrid Celebrations

We as a business celebrate holidays and enhance team spirit globally by organizing inclusive virtual or hybrid celebrations that connect employees from different locations. These celebrations feature culturally diverse activities, such as virtual team games, showcases of international holiday traditions, and a “Holiday Around the World” gift exchange. By acknowledging and celebrating the diversity within our workforce, we spread holiday cheer, promote cross-cultural appreciation, and strengthen team bonds among our employees.

Savio Pinto, Executive Director, Talento

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