Gratitude: Why This Year's Holidays Are Even More Special

For many people, the holiday season can be a bit hectic. Lots of deadlines at work and lots of commitments outside of work can lead to stress — some good, some bad. It can feel somewhat overwhelming, but we invite you to take a breath and think about the positive things about the holiday season in 2021.

Here are some of the things we're most grateful about in this year's holiday season.

Spending time with family and friends.

Remember the holidays last winter... you know, before vaccines were available to the general public? Honestly, we'd rather not.

This year, we are so grateful to be able to see our families and spend time with our friends at small, safe in-person gatherings. These personal connections are so important to us, and if we've learned anything from COVID, it's that we really should not take our relationships for granted.

Annual traditions!

Does your family do something fun and special to ring in the holiday season? We LOVE that for you. Traditions make us feel included, make the holiday season feel momentous, and allow us to feel connected to each other through the shared celebration of a ritual. So, we're so grateful and looking forward to some of our favorite holiday traditions: driving around to look at our neighbors' lights, frying latkes with our families, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or even just ringing in the New Year with a well-deserved glass of champagne!

A reason to indulge.

Don't judge us! We just really like cookies! We're grateful for a chance to eat our favorite guilty pleasures. From sweets to comfort foods, the holidays offer a bounty and a reason for us to indulge a bit. And while we are all for living a healthy lifestyle, it's fine to occasionally depart from that to enjoy a second helping of dessert.

And while we're talking about extra helpings... why not donate to your local food bank to ensure that those in need are also provided for? It feels good to do good.

A chance to relax, unwind, and unplug.

It's so easy to get caught up in the frenetic pace of work and daily life. However, the holidays offer a chance to unplug and stop checking your email. To take a deep breath (and maybe a mug of hot cocoa). To disconnect from the digital world and your working duties and just be present and thoughtful with the friends and family who gather together at this time of year. We are so grateful to be able to take that time to reflect, both alone and together. It's so important to coming back refreshed and starting next year on the right foot.

We're also so grateful to you — our blog readers and clients — for being a part of our community. We truly appreciate you and would love to hear anything that you're grateful for this holiday season. Sound off in the comments!

Are you planning a company event for 2022? Want to work with the experts in play at work? Contact us today!