Holiday Messages to Employees: 25+ Examples and Best Practices

A thoughtful holiday message to employees is one of the most meaningful ways leaders can show appreciation during the festive season. A thoughtful message goes beyond simple seasonal greetings, boosting morale, showing appreciation and strengthening the bonds that make great workplace cultures thrive. But with diverse teams and varying beliefs, how do you create messages that resonate?

Why Holiday Messages to Employees Matter

Year-end messages do more than send seasonal greetings, they show employees they’re valued as people, reinforce company values, and set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Research consistently shows that employees who feel appreciated are more engaged, productive, and likely to stay with their organization. A thoughtful holiday message becomes part of your broader employee recognition strategy, contributing to a culture where people feel valued year-round.

Key Principles for Successful Holiday Messaging

Be Genuinely Inclusive

Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, and some may not celebrate any religious holidays at all. Instead of assuming everyone celebrates Christmas, use broader language about “the holiday season” or “year-end celebrations.” Focus on universal themes like gratitude, reflection, rest, and time with loved ones

Make It Personal and Authentic

Generic messages fall flat. Share specific accomplishments from the year, acknowledge challenges the employee overcame, or mention particular moments that made you proud to lead the organization. Authenticity resonates far more than polished perfection.

Focus on Gratitude and Recognition

Use this opportunity to highlight specific contributions. Rather than vague statements about “hard work,” mention particular projects, innovations, or ways employees supported each other during difficult times.

Types of Holiday Message: Approaches and Examples

The Gratitude-Focused Message

This approach centres entirely on appreciation and specific recognition. It works well for workers that have navigated significant challenges or achieved notable successes during the year.

Example: “As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible dedication and creativity you’ve shown, especially during our [name specific project] when you stepped up to ensure our success by solving for…”

The Reflection and Vision Message

Perfect for year-end communications, this style acknowledges the journey while looking forward optimistically. It helps employees see their work as part of a larger purpose.

Example: “This year has been one of growth, learning, and adaptation for all of us. From [insert work initiative] to [insert a specific project] we’ve built something remarkable together…”

The Personal and Warm Approach

More intimate and conversational, this style works especially well for individual messages, smaller teams or organizations with a family-like culture.

Example: “As I was thinking about what to say in this message, I kept coming back to how grateful I am to work alongside such thoughtful, talented people every day…”

Strategies for Recognizing Large Teams

When leading a large team, writing personalized messages for everyone can feel overwhelming, especially during the busy year-end season. Here are authentic approaches to help maintain the personal touch:

Be Honest About the Limitation

Rather than trying to squeeze everyone into artificial categories, acknowledge the reality directly in your message:

“I wish I could highlight every individual contribution, but know that I see the unique strengths each of you brings, from the quiet problem-solvers to the bold innovators…”

Honesty like this often feels more genuine than forced attempts at personalization.

Leverage Team Leaders

Recognize department heads for their leadership and ask them to pass on tailored appreciation to their teams:

“Your leadership this year has been exceptional, from navigating budget constraints to supporting your team and driving innovation. I’d love for you to pass on my appreciation to your team for their work on [project]; it truly made a difference“.

Use Smaller Group Interactions

Take advantage of regular smaller meetings, team huddles, project wrap-ups, or departmental gatherings, to deliver specific, personal recognition to smaller groups:

Example: “Before we head into the holidays, I want to acknowledge how this team completely transformed [insert topic]. From the creativity in [specific work] to the way you handled the timeline and collaborated with [other team], you didn’t just meet expectations, you redefined them.”

Team vs. Individual Recognition: Finding the Right Balance

One of the most important decisions when crafting holiday messages to employees is whether to focus on collective team achievements or highlight individual contributions.

When to Emphasize Team Accomplishments

Team-focused messages work best when:

• Your success truly came from collaborative efforts
• You want to reinforce unity and shared purpose
• You’re addressing a large, dispersed team
• The team overcame challenges together or achieved collective goals

When to Highlight Individual Contributions

Individual recognition is more appropriate when:

• You’re leading a smaller team.
• Individual achievements directly contributed to broader success
• You want to model the behaviours and values you appreciate
• Some team members might feel overlooked in purely collective messaging

The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds

Often, the most effective holiday messages combine both team and individual recognition. You might start with collective achievements, then highlight a few specific examples of individual excellence, and close by reinforcing how these employees’ contributions strengthened the whole team.

For example, “This year, our team’s collaborative spirit led to our best customer satisfaction scores ever. This success was built on individual excellence, like [Sarah’s innovative approach to client onboarding], [Marcus’s dedication to solving complex technical challenges], and the way both [new and experienced team members] stepped up during our busy season. Each of you brought something unique that made all of us stronger.”

Crafting Your Holiday Message: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Start with Genuine Reflection

Before writing anything, spend time thinking about the year. What are you genuinely grateful for? What challenges did the team overcome? What moments made you proud? This reflection will inform the authentic tone of your message.

Step 2: Structure for Maximum Impact

1. Opening: Start with a warm, personal greeting that sets the tone
2. Reflection: Acknowledge the year’s highs and lows
3. Gratitude: Call out meaningful contributions
4. Recognition: Highlight standout efforts or qualities
5. Forward-looking: Share optimism about what’s ahead
6. Closing: End with genuine well wishes for the holiday period

Step 3: Choose Your Medium Thoughtfully

The delivery method matters as much as the message itself. A personal handwritten card carries more weight than an email shared with the team. Video messages can feel more personal for remote employees. Consider your company culture and what would feel most authentic coming from you.

Holiday Message Examples by Scenario

For Employees That Faced Significant Challenges

“As the year ends, I want to take a moment to recognize something remarkable: the way you’ve shown up for the team and our clients every step of the way.

When we faced [insert challenge], you didn’t just adapt, you innovated. And when we had to reorganize [project name] in just two weeks, you turned it into our [insert quality] yet. These achievements speak volumes about your character, creativity, and dedication.

I hope you take time to feel proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Thank you for your commitment and support throughout the year. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a great start to the new year.”

For High-Performers

“What an exceptional year you’ve had! You [insert two or three accomplishments] and exceeded your goals by [insert percentage]. But more than the results, what impresses me most is how you got there, your collaborative spirit, mentorship, and commitment to quality are truly exemplary.

Thanks to you, we’ve built something we can all be proud of. Enjoy this well-deserved break. Happy Holidays!”

For Remote Employees

“This year has shown that distance doesn’t stop us from building something special together. From our [virtual coffee breaks] to [your collaboration on complex projects], you’ve proven that commitment matters more than location.

I’ve been impressed by your adaptability, communication, and effort to stay connected with the team. Whether [helping a colleague] or [sharing your expertise], you’ve created a supportive environment despite the distance.

As you log off for the holidays, know that your contribution made all the difference. Rest well, enjoy your loved ones, and let’s reconnect refreshed in the new year.”

For Emphasizing Team Unity

“This year has confirmed what I already know: you are stronger together than alone. Whether it was overcoming [insert challenge], collaborating on [project name], or supporting each other during busy times, you have shown that your strength comes from your unity.

You have shared your knowledge, helped your colleagues, and genuinely celebrated their successes. It is this team spirit that has been the foundation of your achievements.

During this holiday season, please know that you are part of something special. Thank you for making this team a true place of solidarity and shared success.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being Too Generic

Avoid messages that could apply to any company or any year. Specificity shows you’re paying attention and that your appreciation is genuine.

Overlooking Diverse Celebrations

Remember that your team likely includes people who celebrate different holidays or none at all. Keep your language inclusive and focus on universal themes.

Making It About Company Performance Only

While it’s fine to mention business achievements, make sure the focus remains on appreciating your people, not just your profits.

Only Recognizing a Few Team Members

One of the most damaging mistakes is highlighting only some individuals while leaving others unmentioned. If you choose to name specific people in your holiday team message, make sure everyone gets acknowledged, even if their contributions were different. Consider the person who quietly handles administrative tasks that keep everything running smoothly, or the team member whose steady reliability might not generate headlines but forms the backbone of your operations.

If you can’t meaningfully acknowledge everyone in a single message, consider sending personalized one-on-one messages instead of a group communication. Nothing creates resentment faster than feeling invisible when colleagues are being celebrated. Remember that different personality types contribute differently, some people are naturally more visible, but that doesn’t mean others are less valuable.

Forgetting About Timing

Don’t wait until the last minute or send your message when people are already on vacation. Plan ahead so your message arrives when it can have the most positive impact.

Conclusion: Making Your Holiday Messages Meaningful to Your Employees

A thoughtful holiday message is more than a seasonal tradition; it’s an opportunity to reinforce the human connections that make great teams possible. When crafted with genuine gratitude, specific recognition, and inclusive language, these messages become part of the fabric that holds teams together through challenges and celebrates successes together.

A meaningful holiday message strengthens team bonds and sets the tone for the year ahead. The best gift a leader can give is to make people feel seen, valued, and appreciated, not just during the holidays, but all year long.