Note from Jan: The foundation of good morale and productivity is hiring the right people, give them clear roles, responsibilities, expectations and goals.  And give them training and coaching which includes feedback, direction, support and recognition from a trusted manager or coach.

If these aren’t in place, this article is NOT for you.    Instead, use some of the other resources on this site and in our Holiday Halls, to help you get your roles and goals clear and get everyone headed in the right direction.

If you do have all of those things in place, and want some non-holiday oriented ways to put this quote to work,  you will find them here.  In some cases, you may feel like a fool.  Your teammates may roll their eyes.   But they will laugh too.   And that will lighten the load, break the tension and maybe even bring people closer together. Not just today – but down the road as they think about or talk about the day that ___________ (fill in the blank).

1. December 1 – Eat A Red Apple Day. Have apples in a bowl. Tell them it’s Red Apple Day and you’re doing your part to keep things healthy for this very hard-to-stay-healthy month. Organize Saturday walks, runs or bike rides…meeting at a park or trail…to try to work off some of those extra calories sure to be consumed this month. Group exercise is also great for team building.
2. December 3 – National Roof Over Your Head Day. It’s a very difficult time for the homeless during the holiday season…people and animals. Ask your staff to donate to a homeless shelter or animal shelter. It’s a great way for your staff to rally for a common cause.  If you are in the Orange County, NC area, consider helping us Blanket Orange County.
3. December 5 – National Bath Tub Party. Okay, don’t get any wrong ideas. You’ll have to start this on Monday, December 6. Tell your staff in honor of this relaxing “holiday”, whoever exceeds their goal by ___% for the week will receive a basket of bath and body products…a perfect gift in time for the hectic holidays.
4. December 7 – National Letter Writing Day. In a staff meeting, ask each of your staff to write a letter to the person sitting to their left thanking them for_________.   This must be a hand-written note…no emails or texts.
5. December 13 – National Violin Day. Play some classical music before your staff meeting starts.
6. December 18 – National Bake Cookies Day. How about a cookie swap with your staff members? Have everyone bring in a batch of homemade cookies (it’s as easy as pre-made tubes of cookie dough). Get holiday tins or gift bags. Set up a table and have everyone swap cookies to take home to share with others.
7. December 21 – National Humbug Day. You got it…let this be a time to let everyone gripe A LITTLE…blow off some holiday steam. Keep a time limit. Take the gripes seriously. Take notes. And promise to follow up on the gripes.  More tips in How to Have a Great Gripe Session.
8. December 21 – National Look on the Bright Side. Yes…same day, same meeting.  After all the griping…ask everyone to “look on the bright side” of the situation. Make sure they understand this is not to diminish the concerns mentioned earlier, but to involve them in a potential problem-solving process that can be looked at in more depth if necessary after the holiday.
9. December 24 – National Egg Nog Day. Easy.  Serve some to all.
   
10. December 31 – National Make Up Your Mind Day. Ask each staff member to make up one extra goal for January. Plan to discuss this with each of them early in the new month.

See also 10 Different Marketing Ideas for December

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