Inject good cheer

You'd be amazed at the good will born of a little holiday-time-only frivolity. It doesn't have to be pricey think casual days, potlucks, good-natured competitions. Once a year, right before the holiday week, our Bright Horizons home office issues the cube-decorating challenge. It's a silly event that spurs humor, a little rivalry, and all kinds of team spirit.

Think carefully about deliverables

Do not I repeat, do not make a major initiative due January 2. What might sound to you like, "It's after the season is over" will read to your employees as, "You have to work during your holiday." Yes, emergencies happen, and every employee can probably relate a tale about tangling with an unexpected fire drill on some New Year's Eve. But smart employers can turn even those occasions on their ear with things like food and genuine thank yous. Those are the things that ensure the day's remembered as the time the team achieved a miraculous save, not as the night your most valuable players decided to quit.

Recognize and reward the hearty

If you're not closed during the last week of December, that means there may be a bunch of hearty souls who had no choice but to show up. Those are some dedicated people. And skeleton crews tend to lead to low-key atmospheres that are great for innovation. Shelve the typical day-to-day stuff and do something different. Bring in lunch and talk about their lives. The power of those types of connections extends throughout the year and can't be overstated. And if you do it right, some people may even look forward to coming to work during the holidays. Finally, know your audience. Not every company is cut out for company gatherings as evidenced by ongoing debates such as this one a couple of years ago in the New York Times. One company's opportunity is another's obligation. And a party should be a celebration, not an albatross. Know your culture, do what feels right, and celebrate accordingly.