School Staff Celebrations to Make Faculty Feel Like Family

If you've been around here a while, you probably already know how much I love using staff morale activities and events to build camaraderie among school faculty. This is just one of the ways to do this though, friends! Another fantastic way to bring your school together is with celebrations all year long! 

School Staff Celebrations Everyone Will Love 

When you work in a school, your fellow teammates and colleagues can start to feel like your second family. After all, we spend quite a bit of our daily lives at school and often work together each and every day. And. . . if you are already putting in the work to make your staff feel less like 'strangers who work in the same building' and more like 'a community with one common goal,' then this post is for you. 

Staff celebrations are another fantastic way to help faculty feel more like family. Birthdays, bridal showers, and other life events should be celebrated! Come along to see how we made this possible at my school. 

Types of Staff Celebrations and Activities to Organize 

If you want your staff to feel more like a family, consider the types of parties, celebrations, and even life events that a family would share together. As you begin to brainstorm, make sure to keep in mind both happy and not-so-happy life events too. Families are there for each other through thick and thin. Your staff support system should be the same way. Here are some of the life events we celebrated and organized at my school:

• baby showers
• bridal showers
• birthdays 
• holidays 
• retirement
• staff illness
• immediate family illness
• death in the family, etc. 

While some of these things are lots of fun to celebrate - they won't all be that way, and that's okay. The thing about creating a family atmosphere in your school is that you'll need to support each other through the trying times as well. When a staff member is very ill and out for an extended period of time - they will surely be appreciative of their "school family" thinking of them!

Seasonal and Holiday Fun for Staff 

Holidays are another thing you'll likely want to celebrate with your staff to help the faculty feel more like family. It doesn't have to be extravagant to be celebratory! Simply changing out the decor in the staff lounge with cute items from the dollar store and adding a seasonal flair to bulletin boards makes a huge impact. Everyone will love walking into the break room and enjoying the festive mood that is created! These little details really do make school feel more like home. Look for ways to make your staff feel cozy and connected, especially when it comes to the staff lounge!

When it comes to choosing holiday activities for staff - focus on ones that get staff talking and connecting. Potlucks, games, and collaborative events are always good picks. You can find plenty of great ideas here. 

How Much to Spend on Staff Celebrations and Events? 

The answer to this question is going to be different from school to school because every budget is different. At my school, we collected $25 per year from staff members which went into the Sunshine Committee budget to help pay for these events and celebrations. 

I do recommend setting a specific amount for each type of event to keep it fair and easy to plan for. For example, you might decide to spend $75 for baby/bridal showers. This could include a cake, decorations, and a gift for the guest of honor. Other staff members can choose to contribute as they see fit. By designating a certain amount, no matter what it is, you will eliminate decision fatigue each time the event pops up. 

Oh and don't forget about celebrations that don't need to cost much either! Birthdays are a great example of this. Schools have a lot of team members and it wouldn't be possible to give everyone an expensive gift. Instead, plan on celebrating with a Birthday Board in the staff breakroom, and maybe a special Staff Snack Bar once a month to celebrate all of the birthdays at once. You can also pass around birthday cards to be signed for specific people. The key here is that it doesn't have to be over the top. The little things mean so much! 

Planning Staff Celebrations: You Need a Sunshine Committee!

You might be wondering HOW you're going to make school staff celebrations possible. At my school, I was the head of the School Sunshine Committee. Our job was to fundraise for, organize, and plan all of the staff morale events and activities. While much of this was special potlucks, staff meeting games, and other fun activities - staff celebrations were also on our list of things to keep track of. 

One of the goals of the Sunshine Committee is to understand the pain points of different staff members in the school and find ways to boost morale. Another important goal was to help staff feel more connected and more like a family. This is such an important job, and it really takes a fair bit of dedication and attention. Having a Sunshine Committee can help share the task of planning for life events, preparing celebrations, and just making sure that staff feel valued and appreciated. 

If you're looking to help the faculty at your school feel more connected, I highly recommend putting together a Sunshine Committee to help make it happen. You can read more about how to do that in this post!

Funding School Celebrations 

Whether you have a line item in your school budget for staff morale, or have your staff contribute to the Sunshine Committee budget, there's a good chance you might want to find some easy ways to raise additional funds. Here are some ideas to start:

• Talk with your PTO to see if they will sponsor one or more events during the year.
• Talk with your school administration about the designation of some of the school's discretionary funds.
• Arrange fundraisers among the staff to pitch in a few extra dollars here and there for special events. 
• Set up an Amazon wishlist to share with parents that has things like party decor, treats, prizes, and gift cards that can be used throughout the year at celebrations. 
• Talk to local stores, restaurants, and other vendors to donate items that can be helpful. Meals are especially good for this option if you're trying to help a staff member who is sick or in need!

I go into further detail about how to budget for staff morale activities in this blog post. Make sure to take a look if you'd like more information on these ideas. 

Make it Personal and Have Fun! 

The last thought I want to leave you with is to simply make it personal for your staff members. Taking the time to write out a heartfelt message in a card, picking decorations in the guest of honor's favorite colors, or planning a meal train for a fellow colleague in need means so much. Remember not to fret too much about going over the top. Instead, choose to be intentional about celebrating with your staff. Make it personal and have fun looking for creative ways to connect with staff. I know that making time for school staff celebrations and life events will have such a positive impact on your school! 

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February Staff Morale Activities Your School Will Love!

February is such a short month. If you're not careful, you'll blink and it will be gone! This is one of the reasons I like to be super intentional with planning ahead for February Staff Morale activities. If you're looking for some fun and easy ways to show your staff you care, you're in the right place! Let's walk through 5 of my favorite resources for boosting staff morale in February! 

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post includes Affiliate Links to some of my favorite products. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Staff Morale Matters in a School

I know that when we're busy and faced with a super short month like February, it can be tempting to skip things that might seem like "extras". While I totally understand this thought process, I have to assure you that staff morale and staff appreciation are not extras. These are essential in maintaining a healthy school climate and a happy team of staff members. 

We all know that teaching is harder than ever in this day and age. And. . . beyond our dear teachers, other school staff members are faced with many challenges too! But they keep showing up, day after day to help our students thrive. This dedication to the future is incredible and should be celebrated regularly. 

This is why I believe it's so important to make time for staff morale boosting activities. Planning events and activities helps staff know that they are valued and appreciated. It will also help foster connection and community among colleagues as well. So, with Valentine's Day right around the corner - let's use February to show staff a little love! 

1. Staff Make and Take Love Letter File 

To kick off this list of February staff morale activities, let's start with one of my favorites! The Staff Make and Take Love Letter File is the perfect activity to use at your February staff meeting. All you need to do is gather up some file folders, print off the beautiful covers in the resource, and have staff glue one to the front of their folder. 

Then, as they get special pictures, thank-you cards, and notes from students, they can store them away in their Love Letter File. I loved having this when I was in the classroom. As a primary teacher, you tend you get all kinds of special notes over the years. It's great to have a place to store them and then look back and relive the memories. This is a low-cost staff morale activity that will mean so much to your team members!

2. February Scratch-Off Tickets  

Speaking of staff meetings, if you're looking for prizes to give out to staff during your meeting, I've got just the thing! February Scratch-Off Tickets are a fun and festive way to show staff appreciation. Scratch-offs are just like the lottery tickets that you can buy at the gas station. They even have a little metallic circle to scratch off and reveal a prize! The prizes that are on these tickets though will be a hit with your staff. Here are some of the things that work well as prizes for staff. 

• prime parking spots
• recess coverage 
• prepped copies
• jeans day 
• special treat or drink
• office supplies (pens, notebooks, etc.)

This resource includes a variety of fun pre-printed tickets that have a cute Valentine's Day theme. All you have to do is print, cut, and add a scratch-off sticker! Pass these out during your staff meeting, or use them as a Valentine's Day card and watch as everyone's faces light up.  There are pre-printed and blank versions included so you can choose the prizes that work best for your staff and budget! 

3. Chinese New Year Activity - We Are So Fortunate!

This next idea is a perfect game to play at your February staff meeting. This fortune cookie-themed activity is perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year. Included, there are signs that read things like:

• I am so fortunate to work with you!
• Fortunate for us that you are here!
• Your students are so lucky to have you!

To prepare, you will print one for each staff member and write their name on the page. Then, they will get the sign pinned to their back and everyone will walk around taking turns to write words of encouragement to each person. When the activity is done, they'll have a whole list of nice comments to read through! You could also do this by passing around slips to fill out during the week for each person. Afterward, you can even offer a frame to each staff member so they can display their keepsake. 

This is such a great activity to lift each other up and build some camaraderie! Also included is a cute bulletin board set that is perfect to decorate your staff lounge with before the activity. 

4. February Staff Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge 

I've got another fun game to add to this list of February staff morale activities! Try hosting a Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge to encourage a little friendly competition among your staff. This activity is great because it's played throughout the day and everyone in your school can participate. 

To play, every staff member gets a beaded necklace adorned with the tags included in this resource. You can usually find some fun Valentine's Day-themed ones at the dollar store or craft store or you can buy in bulk on Amazon. Then, as staff members pass each other in the halls, they can challenge each other to a match of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The winner gets to keep the loser's necklace. This will continue throughout the day. The winners with the most necklaces will get a prize at the end of the day!

At my school, we collected all the necklaces after distributing prizes and played this game a few more times for some extra fun. One day the prizes would include fun office supplies of their choosing. On another day we'd provide lunch to the winners. On the final day, we used acts of service like copies prepared or duty coverage. This is a fun way to keep your staff smiling all month long! 

5. Dessert Day 

Is there anything that sounds more fun than Dessert Day? I think not! If you're looking for a way to host a day of treats for your staff, this is it! Inside my Dessert Day resource, you'll find everything you need to host a dessert potluck that everyone will love. Here's what's inside:

• Instructions & Ideas to Implement 
• Staff Sign-Up Sheet
• Reminder Posters
• Decor - 12 Different Posters with Dessert Quotes
• Table Tents to identify what each item is and who brought it

To plan a dessert day at your school, hang up the announcement signs and sign-up sheets. Make sure to give staff plenty of time to prepare and don't forget about the reminder signs! Then, on the day of, hang the dessert decor posters and use the table tents to get set up. You'll also need napkins, plates, and silverware. Colored tablecloths are a nice touch too! 

Staff will get the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy some delicious desserts with each other on the day off. This is a great opportunity to chat, visit, and just enjoy the company of others. It's a wonderful stress-relieving event too. After all, stressed spelled backward is desserts!

Make Planning February Staff Morale Activities a Breeze

Aren't these February Staff Morale activities fun?! I loved using these with team members at our school throughout the month. It adds more fun to the typical routine and makes everyone feel appreciated. Plus, it brings a little bit of sparkle to the tail end of winter too! 

If you're looking for a way to simplify your planning for staff appreciation, you'll love the February Staff Morale Bundle! Inside you get all 5 of these great resources. You won't have to worry about anything with this bundle. Just print and use to keep staff motivation high all month long! 

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January Staff Morale Boosters That Will Bring Sunshine to Winter Days

The winter months, especially January can feel oh so very looooong. The holidays have come and gone and we're often stuck inside more than usual due to inclement weather. If you're dreading this time of year, your staff members probably are too! That's why these January Staff Morale Boosters will save the day! 

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post includes Affiliate Links to some of my favorite products. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bring Some Sunshine to Winter Days 

Winter is hard on all of us! Some areas have it worse than others, of course, but in general, it can be a dreary time. The days in the classroom are long for teachers and support staff. Other school staff may have a larger workload due to increased cleaning needs, and usage of multi-purpose rooms for recess. And our dear office workers and nurses are seeing an uptick in colds, flu, and winter germs. Sounds to me like the perfect opportunity to sprinkle a little sunshine within your school walls! 

January is the perfect time to reinvigorate your staff with exciting staff morale boosters and activities. Everyone will love these fun ideas to build community, boost motivation, and connect with other staff members. I know they will help spread sunshine, no matter how dreary the weather is outside!

1. Winter Mirror Shoutouts 

What better way to make staff smile than a fun, winter message peeking back at them when they look in the mirror? That's the idea behind these Winter Mirror Shoutouts. Simply print on colored paper, cut, and attach to the bathroom mirror for a fun surprise to staff. The winter messages include fun sayings like:

• Freeze the Day! 
• You Do it Like Snow Other!
• All is not FROST.
• Don't Flurry, Be Happy! 

These encouraging, seasonal messages are sure to make your staff smile as they look in the mirror. Not to mention, they're super easy to use and swap out throughout the month to continue to boost morale. You can also use them in other areas too. Anywhere that needs a bit of winter pizzaz for staff is fair game! 

2. Staff Morale Snowflake Hunt 

If you're looking for something to engage your staff, I know you'll love the Staff Snowflake Hunt! This activity is a guessing game to find snowflake erasers or table scatter that have been passed out to school staff members. The idea is to guess who has a snowflake and acquire one for yourself before the game is over. Staff will try to determine who has one, and then guess to see if they are correct. If they are, they get to "steal" that snowflake! 

The game is played throughout the day and staff are free to guess and steal all day. When the time is up, snowflakes are counted and prizes are distributed. This one is FUN and you'll likely hear staff laughing as they "steal" snowflakes from each other. Prizes can be anything you want, which is great for a tight budget. Food, treats, office supplies, and acts of service are all fun prizes that everyone loves to win. 

My favorite thing about this January staff morale booster though is that it adds some sunshine to a regular winter day. Plan this one on a day that you're expecting a storm to bring some sunshine to your halls! 

3. Soup Luncheon 

I don't know about you, but I love a good old-fashioned potluck. There's just something so wonderful about making a dish to share with your community. I love trying favorites from others and sharing a favorite of mine too! This Soup Luncheon Resource makes it super simple to facilitate a potluck that everyone will love. Inside there's a timeline and helpful guide, sign-up sheet, signs, and reminders. These resources will make it super simple to host at your school! 

In the past, at my school, I have sent out the information and sign-up sheets in advance. Then, staff would sign up to bring a slow cooker full of soup to share. On the day of, we'd set up all the soups with accompaniments and other 'fixins'. Staff members get to try and taste a variety of soups and skip the brown bag lunch that day! The best part, though, is sitting together, chatting, and warming up with some delicious soup. It's a fun event to host in the winter that encourages camaraderie and connection among staff! 

4. Winter Scratch-Offs 

During the winter months, the last thing we want to do is host a boring staff meeting. Winter is already a bit dull, but your staff meetings don't have to be! Try adding some fun to the mix with Winter Scratch-Off Tickets. These fun little prizes are sure to perk up your team. If you've never heard of scratch-offs, think about those little lottery tickets you can buy at the gas station. You know, the ones that have a metallic spot to scratch off with a coin and reveal a prize. Same concept here, except the prizes are fun things your staff will love such as:

• prime parking spots
• recess coverage 
• prepped copies
• jeans day
• special treat
• office supplies and more! 

I loved passing out scratch-offs to everyone at the meeting to show appreciation and spread some smiles. They're great because they are low-cost and feature gifts that faculty will want to receive! Not to mention, the fun winter theme is great for January too! You can prepare these with paint or stickers, and use them at your next staff meeting to add some fun. Oh, and if you need additional prize ideas, be sure to read this post next! 

5. Winter Rock, Paper, Scissors 

I have one more gem on this list of January staff morale boosters for you! Everyone loves a good game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, right?! I know that everyone in my building did. We used Winter Rock, Paper, Scissors to add some warmth to a cold January day. Best of all, this game is fun and easy to implement! 

To play, every staff member will get a necklace at the beginning of the day. You can usually find some with a wintery theme at the dollar store, craft store, or on Amazon. Then, as staff pass each other in the halls, they can challenge each other to a match. The winner gets to keep the loser's necklace. This continues all day and the person with the most necklaces at the end of the day wins! 

This would be a fun game to play more than once during the month. One day the prizes could be lunch provided. Another day it could be copies prepped. Another day could be a fancy coffee drink. No matter what you choose - the staff will LOVE this game! It's a great way to add a little sparkle to an otherwise normal winter day!

Make Planning January Staff Morale Activities Simple 

Want to simplify your planning for these January staff morale boosters? Be sure to check out the January Bundle. Inside you will get all 5 of the great staff morale activities mentioned here. You'll have everything you need to spread sunshine throughout the winter and boost motivation in your school. 

With scratch-offs, mirror shoutouts, 2 different games, and a potluck, the winter blues will be banished! Best of all, you won't have to spend any of your precious time scouring the internet for engaging staff activities or stressing about what to plan. The bundle includes it all, so all you need to do is pick a date to implement! Have fun bringing some sunshine to your school this winter!

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How to Budget for Staff Morale Activities

Around here we talk a lot about the importance of carving out time for staff morale activities in a school environment. The value of implementing staff morale events is unmatched for keeping motivation high and creating a sense of community. But have you ever wondered how to acquire the funds for these events and activities? If so, you're in luck! Today I'm sharing some of my tried and true tips to help you budget for staff morale activities in your school. 

Why Staff Morale Matters

First things first, why are we budgeting for this? Staff morale activities, events, and celebrations are essential to create a warm, welcoming environment that makes everyone feel like a team. Taking the time to plan and organize staff events will not only keep everyone motivated but help create a sense of camaraderie in your school. I think we all know that teaching is harder than ever so it's important to make sure your staff feel supported and like "part of the family" when they're at work. And don't forget, staff goes well beyond just the teachers too! We can't forget about our beloved librarians, counselors, secretaries, cafeteria workers, and custodial staff too! 

When deciding if this is important to prioritize in your school, I encourage you to consider the alternative. If you don't plan any staff morale-boosting events or activities, consider how the climate might shift in your building. I would bet that you'd end up with a group of unmotivated staff members who feel undervalued and disconnected. This is not what we're going for! So, instead, commit to building in some staff morale activities and events in your school to keep spirits high and help your staff stay connected and motivated. I promise, with a plan in place, it's affordable, doable, and fun! 

Getting Started with a Sunshine Committee 

My number one tip for planning and budgeting for staff morale activities and events is to get a Sunshine Committee in place. I actually have a whole blog post about what this is and why you need it, but I'll share a quick rundown here as well. 

A Sunshine Committee is a group of people who are in charge of spreading a little sunshine to teachers and other school staff members. They plan events, parties, and seasonal activities with the idea of bringing staff together and building camaraderie. Aside from this though, they also work towards finding the pain points of school employees and help come up with creative ways for everyone to feel more supported and happy at work. For years, I was the leader of the Sunshine Committee and it was one of my favorite things I ever undertook!

If you're hoping to add some more fun staff morale activities and events to your school, I highly recommend reading that whole post after this one. Trust me, it will be a key part of how you will budget for staff morale activities! 

Sunshine Committee Funding 

Speaking of budget, the Sunshine Committee also typically helps manage funds for staff morale activities. In my school, every staff member contributed $25 per year to Sunshine Funds. This money was pooled into our budget for a variety of things to support staff such as:

• bridal showers
• first baby showers
• staff illness
• retirements and other common life events

We had a set schedule that was used to determine how much money could be used for each event. The money could be used for different things depending on the scenario. It might be used for party decorations and cake, or to purchase meals for a family in need. Having a set schedule with how much you plan to allocate is very helpful from a planning standpoint. It takes the guesswork out of it and allows you to plan fairly for each staff member. 

In my school, any extra money was set aside to be used for extra staff boosters. These might be holiday parties, special games, or activities to keep everyone motivated and happy to be at work. Every school will vary with how much "mad money" you end up with, so I also like to have some additional fundraising opportunities planned to help bulk up our staff morale budget. 

More Fundraising Ideas

There are many other ways to raise funds for your staff morale activities that are easy to implement. Here are a few of my favorites from over the years. 

Principal's Discretionary Funds

As the leader of the Sunshine Committee, I always maintained a very close relationship with our principal. We worked hand-in-hand to run many of the staff meetings and plan staff morale activities. I was always so grateful to have a good relationship with my principal because this helped her understand the need for staff morale boosters throughout the year. She wanted to help make sure our work environment was enjoyable and supportive. 

Because of this, she always contributed some of her discretionary funds to the Sunshine Committee each year. The amount will vary from school to school depending on the policies in place. But, no matter the amount, every little bit helps! Keep in mind that in order to make this work best, it's always good to keep clear records of spending and plans for your principal to see. They're entrusted with these funds to use them in a way that best supports the school, so if you can show them where the money goes and how it helps create a healthier school climate, you'll likely have much better results! 

PTO Fundraisers 

The PTO is another great place to look for some funding for your staff morale activities. Often, this organization already understands the importance of a healthy school environment for both staff and children. They know that happy staff members mean a happier school! They are often more than willing to help fundraise throughout the year and send a portion of their funds to the Sunshine Committee. 

As the leader of the Sunshine Committee, I always checked in with the head of the PTO at the beginning of the year to discuss this. It's up to them how they decide to fundraise and how much to contribute, but making these connections and building relationships is key to making the process go more smoothly, so be sure to reach out and connect!

Another thing to consider is that many of the members are also willing to donate their time, which is just as valuable. Having volunteers available to help with staff luncheons, parties, and events is so nice! Sometimes they will even do the shopping runs, or help prepare food items. I've also utilized volunteers to make copies, grade papers, and assist teachers as a "prize" for staff events. These things add up and are so appreciated in a busy school environment. 

Parent Donations 

Speaking of prizes, parent donations are a great place to look for these items. I drafted up a few letters throughout the year requesting donations from parents for staff treats and drinks for the breakroom. More often than not, you'll end up with more goodies than you can use right away! This is a wonderful way to keep the fridge stocked in your school and show teachers and staff they are appreciated. Not to mention, parents are often very happy to contribute. 

Another option is to make Amazon wish lists for prizes that you intend to use for Scratch-Offs or games in your staff morale activities. These could be things like pens, notebooks, gift cards, hand soap or lotions, lanyards, and more. Many parents are super busy but want to contribute in some way. In this instance, they like being able to simply order online and contribute to their child's school despite their busy schedule. 

Local Businesses

Local businesses, restaurants, and stores are another great place to check for donations to help add to your budget for staff morale activities. At the beginning of the year, I drafted a letter asking businesses if they would like to donate gift cards or products to our school for teacher and staff morale. Sometimes restaurants will offer catering discounts as well, which is great for special events and parties. You can offer to advertise their services in the yearbook in return or place them on a "wall of fame" in your school lobby. 

In my experience, local businesses are often happy to contribute and these donations go a long way.  Even just a couple of gift cards from a handful of businesses make great gifts for lucky staff members throughout the year. Not to mention, it helps strengthen the bond in the community between local business owners and your school! 

Staff Fundraisers 

Last on this list, consider ways you can have staff pitch in to raise money as well! These don't need to be extravagant, just a few dollars here and there helps. One of the ways I did this in my school was with jeans/dress-down passes available for purchase. 

Once a quarter or so, I'd have them for sale in the staff lounge. Staff could purchase them and use them whenever they like. The funds went directly into the budget for staff morale activities. In my school, staff loved having this opportunity and were also happy to contribute to something that would benefit everyone. Consider using a staff fundraiser like this in your school to build up that budget! 

Plan Your Staff Morale Activities for the Whole Year 

Another very important part of maintaining a budget for your staff morale activities is planning. Just like a meal plan can save you money at home, a staff morale activities plan will save you money at school! I like to map out all of my plans for the whole year at once to get a high-level overview of the funds we would need. Don't worry, these plans don't have to be exact. Just jotting down some details about holiday parties, staff morale games, and things you know will happen is helpful. 

If you're not sure where to start, or simply need some inspiration, you're in luck! I have a FREE Staff Morale Catalog for you that will make planning your entire year a breeze. Inside you'll find inspiration for every holiday and season you can think of to help simplify your planning. 

Download the catalog and then sit down with a blank calendar to help plot out when you plan to have some staff morale activities on the schedule. Then, estimate the costs for each project and make note of that too. This will come in so handy as you build your budget for staff morale activities! 

Last my friend, have fun with this process! Spreading sunshine and boosting staff morale is a fun gig! Get creative with your fundraising, be selective with your budget, and you'll be well on your way to creating some amazing staff morale activities that everyone will love! 

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5 Festive Holiday Staff Morale Activities for December

I love December. I know it can be a crazy busy time, but there's no denying the festive flair floating through the air as the holidays inch closer. With so much to celebrate, and limited time, it's important to keep staff morale top of mind this month. Check out these fun holiday staff morale activities to connect with staff and celebrate together!

Making Room for Staff Morale Activities in December

We all know that this time of year is busier than ever, but this doesn't mean that staff morale activities and games should fall by the wayside. Actually, anytime we have a busier than usual schedule, is usually when we need a boost the most. That's why it's so important to prioritize some holiday staff activities to keep everyone cheery and happy to be at work!

And don't worry friends... these holiday staff morale activities won't have you working all hours like a Christmas elf! These easy-to-prep ideas come together quickly so that you can spread a little holiday cheer to your staff members without burning the candle at both ends! 

1. Staff Secret Santa 

Let's kick this list off with a holiday classic - Secret Santa! I love Secret Santa because it allows for a bit of mystery and fun during the holidays. The version that I used in my school has a bit of a twist that makes this even easier and less pressure to facilitate as well. It works by placing a poster with a picture of Santa on a co-worker's door or at their desk with some kind of seasonal treat. Then, they get to play Santa and choose a co-worker to gift next. I would often start this off by choosing two co-workers and then letting the snowball continue. 

I always recommend starting this one early so that there will be time for the posters to travel through your school to everyone. I also usually send out a little note with gift ideas so that staff know they need not be large or extravagant. I suggest items such as:

• holiday candy 
• peppermint latte 
• holiday stickers
• microwave popcorn 
• classroom decorations
• red and green class art supplies
• favorite seasonal read-aloud and more

I love seeing how creative the staff get with this one and it's fun seeing all of the Santa posters displayed all over the school as people are gifted. This is a great holiday staff morale activity to kick off the fun in your school!

2. Hot Cocoa Bar 

Staff snack bars are among my favorite ways to celebrate when it gets busy because they allow staff to visit the break room and grab a treat when it fits their schedules. In December, I always host a Hot Cocoa Bar to add some holiday magic to our day! This is a lot of fun to put together and totally customizable for your group. 

First, you'll gather your supplies. You can choose to host this activity potluck style or use funds from your Sunshine Committee to fund it. I liked to make a few large pots of homemade hot cocoa and then keep them warm in slow cookers. You can also use coffee urns with hot water and cocoa packets as well if you prefer. I also made sure to grab plenty of toppings and add-ins, because that's what makes this so much fun! Some things to consider include:

• whipped cream 
• peppermint sticks
• sprinkles
• candy
• sweet treats to eat with cocoa 

I also liked to grab some holiday decorations and plastic tablecloths from the dollar store to add a bit more fun to the mix. Then, on the day of, I set everything up and hang some signs to let staff know they can come to grab a cup of cocoa in the break room. Bonus points if you can get some holiday music playing in there too! Everyone loves this and it tends to create a sense of warmth and camaraderie among the staff. They'll often sit and visit as they sip their cocoa and talk about their holiday break plans. It's a wonderful moment to connect, chat, and take a breather together during the busy holiday season! 

If you want to simplify this process, be sure to check out my Hot Cocoa Bar Resource. Inside you'll find instructions, a shopping list, a recipe for hot cocoa, room decor and signs, as well as labels for cocoa and add-ins. This resource has everything in one place and will make it super quick and easy to set up a cocoa bar of your own!

3. Holiday Postcards

If you need an inexpensive way to thank and recognize each of your staff members this holiday season without breaking the bank, I think you'll love these Holiday Postcards! These were designed to allow you to send a customized message to each member of your staff. There are a variety of card designs included for different holidays and seasonal sentiments. 

There are even some designs included that can be sent to loved ones of staff to tell them how much you enjoy working with their family member. This is an extra special touch that goes a long way and really makes staff feel valued. No matter which option you choose, I know your staff will love receiving these!

To use, you will simply choose your design and copy both a front and back side to each card. Then, cut, and fill them out and you're good to go! They're ready to be addressed and mailed out. You can also pop these into staff mailboxes, but I think receiving them at home makes it even more special. 

4. White Elephant Book Exchange 

I am always looking for ways to make holiday fun more affordable for staff members. I never wanted anyone to feel stretched too thin or stressed out about participating in an event. That's one of the reasons I absolutely love this White Elephant Book Exchange! It's the perfect staff morale game for your holiday party or meeting and is super simple to facilitate!

To set this up, you'll send out a letter to staff that lets them know you'll be hosting a book exchange. Their task is to bring a book to swap. It doesn't have to be new, gently used is absolutely fine, making this a budget-friendly option. They will wrap the book in holiday paper and bring it to the exchange. 

Then, you'll set up all the books in a display and have each staff member draw a number. Then, going in numerical order, each person will choose a book. After they choose, they open it and can either keep it or steal/swap it for another book. This continues until everyone has gone and had an opportunity to "steal". If you've never played White Elephant before, this really gets to be a lot of fun once a few people have stolen books! When you're finished, everyone will have a "new to them" book to read over the holiday break!

5. Holiday Simmer Pot 

Last on my list is another fun, inexpensive gift idea for your staff members. This Holiday Simmer Pot is the perfect gift to hand out before the holiday break. Staff will love setting this up and using it over the holidays while they relax at home. Each bag of goodies contains the following:

• orange (or mandarin)
• cinnamon sticks 
• cloves
• fresh cranberries
• rosemary sprigs

You'll bag all of these items up in a small cellophane bag and tie it with a holiday ribbon. Then, you'll attach a tag with instructions to each bag. To use, staff will empty the contents of the bag into a pot or slow cooker, cover them with water, and simmer on low for a wonderful holiday fragrance that will fill their home. This is such a wonderful gift to hand out as it's low-cost, thoughtful, and adds so much festive holiday flair to the air!

Make Planning Holiday Staff Morale Activities Simple

So, which one of these holiday staff morale activities was your favorite? It's always hard for me to choose, which is why I tend to incorporate them all. Since they are all inexpensive, low-prep, and easy to facilitate, it's a no-brainer in my book! I love that with just a few simple activities, staff will feel valued and connected to each other during this crazy busy time of year. If you'd like to simplify your staff activities in December too, be sure to check out the December Staff Morale Bundle. 

Inside you get all 5 of these activities so that you can get started right away with prepping! Each of the resources includes detailed instructions and just about everything you need to sprinkle some holiday magic among your staff! I know you'll love not having to worry about planning engaging staff morale activities during this already busy time of year. Have fun celebrating with your staff! 

Looking for More? 

Be sure to check out these posts for more ways to celebrate with staff! 

• 5 Staff Morale Boosters That Aren't Food
• 6 Cozy Staff Appreciation Ideas for Winter
• 6 Tasty Staff Snack Bars That Everyone Will Love!

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What is a Sunshine Committee?

If you've been around here a while, you might have noticed that I have a passion for helping administrators, teachers, and volunteers keep school staff morale high. This is because I was the leader of the Sunshine Committee in my own school for many years and saw firsthand just how valuable this practice is. But what exactly is a "Sunshine Committee"? If you've been wondering, I've got answers! Today we're talking about the what and how of Sunshine Committees. And. . . how it can help boost staff morale and motivation in your school! 

What is a Sunshine Committee Anyway?

First things first... what exactly are we talking about here? A Sunshine Committee is a group of people who are charged with the task of spreading a little sunshine to teachers and other school staff members regularly. Their goal is to tune into the pain points of school employees and come up with creative ways to make work more enjoyable, supportive, and fun for everyone. As the leader of this group for many years at my own school, I have to say... it's a pretty good gig! 

I was also a teacher, so I knew firsthand what my teaching colleagues were facing. But beyond this, it allowed me the unique opportunity to learn what other school staff members struggle with and how to help them as well. Remember, a school is made up of much more than teachers. We have support staff, nurses, secretaries, administrators, custodians, specials teachers, counselors, cafeteria workers, and more! All of these people play an integral role in the health and culture of the school environment, so it's key that we do our best to consider each and every one of them! 

Why You Need a Sunshine Committee

So why do we need this group in our schools? Well, simply put... to help staff stay motivated, feel valued, and foster a sense of community. We all know that teaching and working in schools is harder than ever. School workers are faced with new challenges every day and carry a very heavy load. If we didn't focus on building community or boosting morale among staff, what do you think would happen? 

I think we all know that it's likely that we would end up with a group of unmotivated people who feel undervalued. No one wants this in their school climate! Instead, the Sunshine Committee is strategic in ensuring that events and parties are planned to help make work more fun. Team building activities, contests during staff parties, or monthly potlucks can truly go a long way when it comes to boosting morale!

Getting Started

So, you're ready to take on the task of recruiting and organizing a Sunshine Committee in your school - YAY! Let's dive into how you can get started. 

Members of the Sunshine Committee

Members of the Sunshine Committee are typically volunteers and other staff members. In my school, we needed at least one team member from each grade level or staff team to ensure that the views of that section of our school were conveyed. When recruiting members, I think this is a great place to start as it will ensure a well-rounded group! 

Roles of the Sunshine Committee 

Every school is different of course, but in general, one of the most important jobs of the Sunshine Committee is to plan parties, events, and even condolences for staff members in a time of need. This can cover a very broad range of events. In my school, our Sunshine Committee was in charge of the following:

• Seasonal Parties (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)
• Monthly Staff Meeting Activities (team building, games, contests, etc.)
• Hospitalizations, Illness, or Funeral Donations or Gifts (flowers, cards, etc.)
• Retirement Celebrations 
• Weddings & Baby Showers

This, of course, isn't an exhaustive list, but rather a way to get you thinking about how a Sunshine Committee could serve in your school. Consider the needs of your school, where things seem to be lacking, or how you could make staff feel more excited to be at work. These are all great questions to ask yourself as you begin navigating how to put a Sunshine Committee in place in your school. 

More Support to Build Your Sunshine Committee

If you need some more ideas and support in setting up a Sunshine Committee then this resource is for you. Inside, I walk you through the specifics, or the nuts and bolts, as I like to call them, of putting together a Sunshine Committee. I share many of the policies from my own school to help you put together a committee at your school! 

How to Stay Organized in Your Sunshine Committee

One of my best tips for running a successful Sunshine Committee is to stay organized. Like really organized! When I was head of our committee, I used a year-long planner to make this easier. Inside my planner, there were tons of pages and prompts to help keep me focused on the goals decided upon by the members of the committee and ensure that nothing fell through the cracks! Here are some of the pages I used to stay organized:

• monthly calendars 
• monthly informational pages 
• recognition trackers
• quote posters

All of these pages are included in my Year Long Staff Morale Planner. This resource is ideal for principals, administrators, and leaders of the Sunshine Committee. Once I started using it, it was SO much easier to stay on task with our goals!  I put all of these pages together in a 3-ring binder to help me stay on track. My favorite of these pages is the monthly information sheets. They include fun celebrations, a monthly challenge, a quote of the month, and other great little tidbits that kept me organized. 

I also included some blank pages for staff meeting ideas, checklists, reminders, wish lists, and anything else that popped into my head! Over time this binder became my command station that was filled with everything I needed for a fun month with staff. When a new year began, I always enjoyed flipping through to grab ideas and reflections to apply to the new year. 

Plan Engaging Activities to Boost Staff Morale

Once you've got your planner all set up, it's time to start filling those pages right?! I have an awesome, FREE resource to help you plan for the whole year without spending hours searching for fun ideas. Simply follow this link to download a free Staff Morale Catalog.

Inside, you'll find ideas and resources for every month of the year and every occasion. No matter what you're looking for, there's likely something inside for you! Make sure to take advantage of this freebie as you begin your journey setting up a Sunshine Committee in your school. Not only will it streamline your planning, it will provide inspiration in those months when you need it most! 

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