How to spread festive cheer in your practice this Christmas

Lucie Simic shares simple ways to show gratitude, spread joy and make your team feel valued during the festive season.

Christmas is a time for giving, and within a dental practice, it’s the perfect chance to reflect on everything your team has achieved and show your appreciation for their dedication. A thoughtful approach to festive rewards can foster goodwill, motivate staff and set a positive tone as the new year approaches.

How should you reward your team this Christmas?

While bonuses are always appreciated, I’ve found that the thought behind a gift can often mean even more. One thing I love to do is take the time to write a personal card for each team member. Think about it – how often do we get a heartfelt note that acknowledges what we’ve done well? It’s an opportunity to highlight someone’s unique contributions, celebrate their strengths, and let them know they’re valued.

A Christmas gift voucher makes an excellent gift for the team. In the UK, you can give vouchers worth up to £50 per team member, completely tax free. It’s such an easy way to make sure your team gets something they’ll genuinely use or enjoy. Pair that with a personalised card, and you’ve created a thoughtful and meaningful gift that’s both practical and heartfelt. I also believe it’s important to be mindful of inclusivity during the festive period.

Not everyone on your team may celebrate Christmas, so why not frame your gestures as ‘end-of-year’ celebrations? This way, you can make everyone feel included.

Secret Santa

One of the simplest and most fun ways to bring festive cheer into your practice is through a Secret Santa gift exchange, and over the years I’ve discovered that introducing a theme works well for teams.

For example, one year we chose socks as the theme. Each person bought a pair of fun, cosy or quirky socks within a set budget. It was incredible to see the creativity and thoughtfulness behind each pair chosen. Another year, we went with mugs. From travel mugs to mugs with funny quotes or beautiful designs, everyone ended up with something personal yet functional.

A themed Secret Santa ensures everyone receives a similar type of gift, avoiding the risk of someone feeling left out or undervalued by receiving something vastly different in size or quality. It also sparks conversation, as people share the stories behind why they chose a particular item for their recipient.

When organising Secret Santa in your practice, consider these tips to make it run smoothly:

Set a budget:  a reasonable limit ensures no one feels pressured to overspend
Choose a theme:  whether it’s socks, mugs, candles, or something entirely unique, having a theme adds an extra layer of fun
Use a name-draw tool:  apps or online tools make it easy to randomly assign names without any confusion or bias
Encourage anonymity: part of the excitement is guessing who bought what! Reveal the names only after the gifts are opened.

Spending time together

In addition to gifts, don’t forget the value of spending time together as a team during the festive season. Whether it’s a Christmas meal, a team-building activity with a seasonal twist, or simply decorating the practice together, these moments can be just as meaningful as the gifts themselves.

For practices with tight schedules, something as simple as a Christmas jumper day can add festive spirit without disrupting work. Encourage everyone to wear their silliest or cosiest holiday jumper and perhaps tie it to a fundraising effort for charity.

Another idea is to host a  ‘decorate your workspace’ contest, where team members can transform their desks or treatment rooms with holiday flair. It’s a fun way to add some cheer to the practice while fostering creativity and friendly competition.

Spreading joy

The festive period is also an opportunity to extend goodwill to your patients and the wider community. A small gesture like giving patients a Christmas card or festive goodie bag can leave a lasting impression. You might also consider participating in a local charity initiative, such as donating to a food bank.

By involving the team in these charitable efforts, you create a sense of shared purpose and remind everyone of the broader impact they can have beyond the walls of the practice.

Ultimately, the festive season is about showing gratitude and spreading joy. Whether through thoughtful gifts, a themed Secret Santa, or shared celebrations, your efforts will resonate with your team. By investing time and care into these gestures, you’re not just marking the end of the year, you’re setting the tone for the next one.

A culture of appreciation and thoughtfulness doesn’t happen overnight, but your efforts will be remembered long after the Christmas decorations come down. This Christmas, take the opportunity to celebrate your team’s hard work, and they’ll enter the new year feeling motivated and appreciated – ready to continue delivering exceptional patient care.

Catch up with Lucie’s previous columns:

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